From Zagreb to Athens private tour: four countries in 14 days

Situated at the crossroads of the Mediterranean, Central Europe and the Balkans, Croatia has it all, from beautifully preserved medieval cities to the stunning natural wonders. The country includes seven World Heritage sites and eight national parks. Visit Serbia and its vivid capital Belgrade and see the famous fortress of Kalemegdan. Follow the history traces in North Macedonia, which is the melting pot of Christian and Muslim and end up in Athens, the heart of Ancient Greece, a powerful civilization and empire.

You are about to visit numerous highlights in four countries with various histories and cultural influences. Here you can learn a few basic interesting facts about each of them.

Croatia

With approximately 1,200 islands, azure waters and colourful villages rich in history, Croatia is drawing more and more travellers to its shores. Croatia is Mediterranean’s fastest-growing destination, luring travellers with its pristine national parks, adventure sports and UNESCO World Heritage sites.

Many of Europe's greatest empires including the Romans, Venetians, Ottoman Turks and Habsburgs, left their mark on Croatia in the form of architecture, language, art and food.

Croats settled in the early 7th century, forming two principalities, Dalmatia and Pannonia. In 1102, Croatia entered into a union with the Kingdom of Hungary (the Dalmatian coast was controlled by Venice until the 18th century). The region became a part of the Habsburg Empire in 1527, and in 1918 a part of the Kingdom of SHS, later renamed Yugoslavia.

In 1991 Croatia proclaimed independence by holding its first democratic elections and in 2013 Croatia became 28th member of the European Union.

Zagreb

The story of the city of Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, had begun 900 years ago. Situated under the hills of Medvednica and at the banks of the river Sava, this city gives you an open-hearted welcome. One of the most prestigious travel guides, Lonely Planet, listed Zagreb on top of the most desirable and exciting European destinations to be visited.

Zagreb also has a colourful “belly” – the market of Dolac, the largest and the most known of the 28 city markets. A special contribution to this particular spirit of the market is given by the traditional Zagreb saleswomen –„kumice“. It was built in 1930 and it had the streets of Zagreb in the place of ancient walls. During the day, Dolac is consumed by the lively colours and the diverse smells of the colourful stands, the recognizable murmur and the smell of the morning coffee.

Croatian Hinterland

Hrvatsko zagorje is a region in the north of Croatia which has a rich historical legacy that includes a total of 54 castles and manors that bear witness to the period between the 13th and the 20th centuries. The majority of those with Versailles and Baroque motifs were built in the second half of the 17th century and in the 18th century. It is also famous for its green hillsides dotted with vineyards and adorned with churches.

According to legend, Trakošćan castle was named after a Thracian fortress that supposedly existed during antiquity. According to another legend, it received its name from the Drachenstein knights, who ruled this area during the Middle Ages. The castle was mentioned for the first time in 1334 and its last owners were the Drašković family. Today this emblematic castle, which is one of the most beautiful in Hrvatsko zagorje, is a zero-category cultural and historical monument.

Plitvice Lakes National Park

A soothing feeling of peace and tranquillity will surround you as soon as you arrive in Plitvice. Release your inner explorer and see for yourself why Plitvice Lakes have found their place on UNESCO's World Heritage List. A wide variety of plants and animals can be found in this national park. It is a truly unique place with extensive flora and fauna, which are protected and endemic, and it is also home to the "Gospina papučica" or "Lady's Slipper", the most beautiful orchid in Europe. There are numerous ways to experience the park throughout the year.

The scenery offers a broad palette of stunning colours: turquoise lakes, vividly green forests, rustic brown leaves or snow-white waterfalls. The Plitvice Lakes are famous for their 16 magnificent and entwined cascading lakes that form a gorgeous ring of water. Plitvice has been named one of the 35 most beautiful national parks in the world, and for good reason.

Slavonia and Osijek

In Slavonia as elsewhere in the world, regional stereotypes exist and all of them seem to be negative – except where the people from Slavonia are concerned! Croatians think of them as happy, friendly, good hosts and gourmets. Slavonia is a region of continental plains delimited by the rivers Drava in the north, the Sava in the south and the Danube in the east. The region is known for its fertile plains and oak forests, which makes it a perfect destination for foodies and wine connoisseurs, as well as cyclists, anglers and hunters.

Food abundance is considered a trademark of every Slavonian home, so that homemade food, wine and all sorts of fruit rakijas have become synonyms of the region. The food is usually well-spiced, mostly with pepper and chilli-peppers. Dishes are mostly based on meat or fish and are very carefully paired up with wines.

Osijek is the largest city in Slavonia and it is situated on the banks of the Drava river, near the site of the ancient settlement of Mursa. While in Osijek, you should visit Tvrđa (the Fort), the city quarter in what used to be the region's most important military stronghold. The nearby town of Đakovo is home to the National Lipizzaner Stud Farm, where noble white horses are bred.

While you enjoy the idyllic Slavonian scenery in one of the oldest wine-producing regions of Croatia, meet nice local people, eat local food and be introduced to the rich history and culture of the lesser-known, eastern part of Croatia known as the region of Slavonia and Baranja which are unique parts of Croatia. Get introduced to their rich history and culture.

The Kopački Rit Nature Park

Kopački Rit is a water world dominated by two large rivers – the Danube and the Drava, which flows into the former right here. It is one of the most significant and largest wetlands in Europe and is vital for the fish and bird fauna. You can go on a tour of the nature park in tourist boats and canoes or explore the bicycle routes and the educational trails on wooden boardwalks.

The wetlands of Kopački Rit are constantly changing throughout the year, depending on the water inflow from the Danube and Drava Rivers. The area must be flooded regularly because Kopački Rit is the largest fish spawning ground in the Danube. This area is one of the last remaining large habitats for waterbirds in Europe, where most of the big rivers used to be surrounded by swamps. The birds in the park are ringed regularly and you can even adopt some of them, such as storks, herons or eagles. The name that you choose for the bird will be inscribed on its ring and you will receive a certificate of adoption. Kopački Rit is inhabited by beavers and otters as well as big game such as deer and boars.

Serbia

The Republic of Serbia is one of the former Yugoslav Republics that kept the name of the federation. Serbia is a sovereign state situated at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe in the southern Pannonian Plain and the central Balkans. It borders Hungary to the north; Romania and Bulgaria to the east; Macedonia to the south; Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro to the west and claims a border with Albania through the disputed territory of Kosovo. Serbia numbers around 7 million residents. 

Its capital, Belgrade, ranks among the oldest, the largest and the most eventful cities in Southeastern Europe. Archaeological sites across Serbia showcase the remains of the different great civilisations that once ruled this region, starting from the Neolithic culture of Lepenski Vir (dating back more than 9,000 years) and the Starčevo culture to artefacts left behind by ancient Romans to medieval Serbian, Turkish and Austro-Hungarian fortresses.

Belgrade

During former Yugoslav president Tito's lifetime, the location of his burial place was known as Cvećara or the Florist's, and it served as a winter garden with an auxiliary office. Tito used to spend quite the amount of time here while he was in Belgrade and was buried here as per his final request. The tombstone which is nine tons heavy, mentions only simple writing: Josip Broz Tito (1892-1980). Tito's widow, Jovanka Broz, was also buried next to him in the House of Flowers.

The Museum of Yugoslavia is an institution intended for remembrance of the development of the Yugoslavian idea from the foundation of the Republic of Yugoslavia as a kingdom to its demise at the beginning of the 1990s.

North Macedonia and Skopje

Five hundred years of Ottoman rule, followed by a tug of war over its territory and being part of Yugoslavia, have left the Republic of Macedonia and its capital seeking an identity. But, for the visitor, it is all part of the fascination of a land that is a melting pot of Christian and Muslim, old and new. The capital of the state is Skopje, its most famous daughter being Mother Teresa.

The territory of Skopje has been inhabited since at least 4000 BC; remains of Neolithic settlements have been found within the old Kale Fortress that overlooks the modern city centre. Back in 1963, a major earthquake struck Skopje just before dawn, destroying around 80% of its buildings; the replacements were typically concrete and Communist in style. However, that is gradually changing. Hundreds of millions of euros have been spent on constructing or making-over buildings in a Neoclassical style as well as building new monuments and features.

Greece

Greece is a country in southeastern Europe with thousands of islands throughout the Aegean and Ionian seas. Influential in ancient times, it's often called the cradle of Western civilization. Athens, its capital, retains landmarks including the 5th-century B.C. Acropolis citadel with the Parthenon temple. Greece is also known for its beaches, from the black sands of Santorini to the party resorts of Mykonos. Greece is famous for being the birthplace of democracy, the creation of the Olympic Games, and for its unique and historical architecture. Some examples include the Acropolis in Athens, the Sanctuary of Delphi, and the ancient Theatre of Epidaurus.

Greek has been spoken in the Balkan peninsula since around the 3rd millennium BC, or possibly earlier. The earliest written evidence is a Linear B clay tablet found in Messenia that dates to between 1450 and 1350 BC, making Greek the world's oldest recorded living language.

Thessaloniki

A city of beauty with so many breathtaking sights and locations to visit while modern achievements are mixing and interchanging with tradition and the living history of Thessaloniki, offering to all guests the chance to enjoy a combination of interesting information, quality of services, beautiful weather, along with the Greek traditional hospitality and friendship. The city is renowned for its festivals, events and vibrant cultural life in general, and is considered to be Greece's cultural capital. The city's main university, Aristotle University, is the largest in Greece and the Balkans.

Sprawling around the coastline of the Thermaic Gulf, Thessaloniki is filled with unique landmarks. The shore spans from the ferry harbour to the White Tower, and the many Byzantine churches and vestiges of past life sprinkled throughout the city and its historical districts make it ideal for sightseeing.

Volos

Affectionately known as the City of the Argonauts, in Greek mythology, Volos was where Jason boarded the Argo on a quest for the Golden Fleece at Colchis. Volos has a real history of its own at the Neolithic settlements of Dimini and Sesklo, more advanced than anywhere else in Greece 6,000 years ago.

Volos is one of the most beautiful cities in Greece. 

The wealth of the region and its long history have left their mark on the city’s architecture, which exudes confidence and grandeur. The numerous mansions, municipal halls, museums, early 20th-century industrial facilities and splendid churches make touring Volos truly enjoyable.

Athens

Athens is the capital of Greece. It was also at the heart of Ancient Greece, a powerful civilization and empire. The city is still dominated by 5th-century BC landmarks, including the Acropolis, a hilltop citadel topped with ancient buildings like the colonnaded Parthenon temple. The Acropolis Museum, along with the National Archaeological Museum, preserves sculptures, vases, jewelery and more from Ancient Greece.

The Acropolis of Athens is the most striking and complete ancient Greek monumental complex still existing in our times. It is situated on a hill of average height (156m) that rises in the basin of Athens. The hill is rocky and steep on all sides except for the western side and has an extensive, nearly flat top. Strong fortification walls have surrounded the summit of the Acropolis for more than 3,300 years. 

The first fortification wall was built during the 13th century BC and surrounded the residence of the local Mycenaean ruler. In the 8th century BC, the Acropolis gradually acquired a religious character with the establishment of the cult of Athena, the city’s patron goddess. The sanctuary reached its peak in the archaic period (mid-6th century to early 5th century BC). In the 5th century BC, the Athenians, empowered from their victory over the Persians, carried out an ambitious building programme under the leadership of the great statesman Perikles, comprising a large number of monuments including the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaea and the temple of Athena Nike.

The monuments were developed by an exceptional group of architects (such as Iktinos, Kallikrates, Mnesikles) and sculptors (such as Pheidias, Alkamenes, Agorakritos), who transformed the rocky hill into a unique complex, which heralded the emergence of classical Greek thought and art. On this hill were born Democracy, Philosophy, Theatre, Freedom of Expression and Speech, which provide to this day the intellectual and spiritual foundation for the contemporary world and its values. 

The Acropolis’ monuments, having survived for almost twenty-five centuries through wars, explosions, bombardments, fires, earthquakes, sackings, interventions and alterations, have adapted to different uses and the civilizations, myths and religions that flourished in Greece through time.

Athens is also a contemporary city, and it’s not uncommon for the nightlife hubs of Kolonaki, Psiri and Gazi to stay busy until dawn. Some areas of the city are pedestrian-only, such as the winding lanes of the Plaka neighbourhood, lined with cafes, traditional tavernas and neoclassical houses. Near Syntagma Square, whose Old Royal Palace houses Greece's parliament, is the Ermou shopping boulevard. The Grand Promenade walkway, created for the 2004 Olympics, circles the Acropolis, passing fabled remains such as the crumbling Ancient Agora of Athens complex.

The Corinth Canal

is a waterway that crosses the narrow isthmus of Corinth to link the Gulf of Corinth to the Saronic Gulf. As such, the canal separates the Greek mainland from the Peloponnese, turning it into an island. The Corinth Canal is an important navigational route which once allowed ships to enter the Aegean Sea. Dug through the isthmus at sea level, the canal is 6.4 kilometres long with a width of only 25 meters. Impossible for modern ships to go through, the canal has now lost any significant economic importance it once had.

The canal, though executed in the late 19th century, has been a 2000-year-old dream. Before its construction, ships in the Aegean Sea that wanted to cross to the Adriatic or anchor in Corinth, a rich shipping city, had to circle the Peloponnese, which would prolong their journey an extra 185 nautical miles.

The Greeks were finally defeated at the Battle of Corinth in 146 BC. Rome destroyed and plundered the city of Corinth as an example to other Greek cities. From this point on Greece was ruled by Rome.

Mycenae

The Mycenaean civilization was located on the Greek mainland, mostly on the Peloponnese, the southern peninsula of Greece. The Mycenaeans are the first Greeks, in other words, they were the first people to speak the Greek language. The Mycenaean civilization thrived between 1650 and 1200 BC.

Epidaurus

Probably the most beautiful and best-preserved of its kind, the theatre of Epidaurus was built in the 4th century BC by Polykleitos the Younger. The acoustics in the theatre are incredible; indeed, spectators in the back rows have been known to hear comedians on stage without any amplification.

At the heart of the theatre, you can find a circular orchestra. 

Opposite the auditorium and behind the orchestra is the stage of the theatre. East and west of the stage, is the backstage, two small rectangular rooms used for the needs of the performers. 

The amphitheatrical shape of the theatre offers not only remarkable audibility but also the opportunity for the audience to have a clear, unobstructed view of the stage. The stone steps filter the background noise and create a phenomenon called ‘virtual pitch,’ which enhances the clarity and quality of sound. The site is closely related to the birth of the drama in ancient Greece.