Christine in Croatia: Guided tours, more about Croatia

Back in November I joined the International Women's Club of Zagreb, a nonprofit international women's group for expats, like me. I have met some very nice ladies from all over the world. Along with the monthly meeting, there are many activities and charity events to get involved in.

Here are a few fun and informative activities I've participated in recently.

Trip to Turopolje/Velika Gorica:

Modic-Bedekovic - restored timber framed manor, complete with dancing.

About 20 of us drove to Velika Gorica, which is located by the Zagreb airport (about 10 miles south of Zagreb centre). Our first stop was Modić-Bedeković in Donja Lomnica, a wooden manor house built in 1806. After more than ten years of restoration, the oak country house, is fully restored complete with furnishing from the noble family that lived there. Before leaving we were treated to a typical dance from the late 19th century.

We continued on to the Museum of Turopolje, attending a workshop on decorate eggs with bees wax, {need a very steady hand...harder than it looks folks!} While our eggs were boiled in red, we toured the museum, hearing about some of the area history.

Lastly we stopped at an area restaurant where we ate a traditional Croatian lunch. (Wish I had thought to take a picture of the name so I could find it again! It was very good:)

The Museum of Turopolje and a photo of the traditional Croatian lunch we ate in a small area restaurant

A workshop on the old tradition of egg decorating with bees wax. Fun:)

A class in Croatian cooking;

A hands on cooking workshop, making an old Croatian recipe called Zlevanka, This corn meal dish can be made salty or sweet, we made both and had time to sample the results. And now I can say I know how to make an authentic Croatian dish. "Zlevka"

{Would be nice to have the ingredient list in English though}

Making Zlevka: ‘Salty’ chicken with vegetables; ‘Sweet’ fruit and chocolate.

A walking tour with a guide of Zagreb center;

One of the first outing I attended was a guided tour of Zagreb centre. This area I have toured many times, (and blogged on), however it was great having a guide! {And it only rained at the end}

Zagreb walking tour with a guide

This is the review I wrote for IWCZ newsletter:

"A very informative morning during the IWCZ sightseeing tour. Sixteen of us met in Ban Jelačić Square, not under the clock, but in front of the Tourist Office. At 10 o’clock we were met by our guide Vlatka Marić.

We then spent the rest of the morning learning facts, folklore and legends. Starting right in the main square we can now point out the oldest standing building on the square, we were told the tale of the rediscovered and uncovered of the fountain by workmen in 1987, as well as fascinating facts and some legend about the famous Croatian hero, ban Josip Jelačić.

From here we walked up to the Cathedral. Did you know it is the forth cathedral built on that site? The current one commissioned and built after the destructive earthquake of 1880. Once inside our guide was very informative about many of the artifacts, some saved from the prior ruins, reincorporated into the existing inside walls. One fun piece of information, the chandeliers were a donation from a Las Vegas casino!

From here we headed toward the Lotrščak tower and our appointment there to witness the firing of the noontime cannon. We gained historical and everyday knowledge., as Vlatka, was faithful to point out and comment on most of the traditional sites along the way; At Dolas Market we were assured the old custom of having your own “kumice" is still a common practice. We made stops at St Marks Square, St Margret church, the stone gate, and Zagreb’s Oldest Pharmacy, just to name a few. We heard tales of the blood bridge, the witches of the upper town, and were informed that the old city hall still performs marriage ceremonies on Saturdays, (which explains why I have spotted many a bridal party in that area on any given Saturday)!

So now we get to the cannon fire, climbing all those steps, seeing the cannon up close and being present at the firing. After the smoke cleared we continued our climb to the observation platform, and the view is worth the climb! Then the rain came! Not too much and we were almost to the end of our tour.

If you are like me you have already explored most of the area we covered, but having a guide is worth it. Vlatka was friendly and informative and she went the extra mile, entertaining us with legends, folklore and a few of her own personal stories."

Among the other activities…