Surroundings

CASTLES
Trakošćan is the most romantic and, in the opinion of many, the most beautiful castle in Croatia, of which historian Gjuro Szabo wrote: "I do not know whether I felt happier in any other park than one in Trakošćan, and not only the first time, when it enchanted me, but every time I came there."
Maruševac is a beautiful example of the Romanic neo-Gothic "fairy-tale palace".
Veliki Tabor is the ancient fortress of the Ratkay counts from the fifteenth century. This Gothic/Renaissance structure emanates the mysterious atmosphere of legends about the tragic fate of Veronika of Desinić.
Miljana, a picturesque country residence of the Ratkay counts, is an example of the love and care given to the preservation of historical heritage. It was carefully renewed and enriched with a valuable inventory.

STUBICA VALLEY

The Stubica valley is significant in the history of this region as the focal point of battles during the peasant revolt of 1573.
The natural beauty, old palaces and the abundance of thermal springs make the Stubica region an important center of inland tourism.
The Oršić palace  was renewed in 1973 as a part of a large monumental complex. The Museum of the Peasant Revolt is located in it.
Stubičke Toplice was built in 1805 on the foundations of an Antique thermal spa as a park with a bathing area. The center was constructed in 1930, and today this is both a rehabilitation and tourism center, with swimming pools and excellent facilities.
Gornja Stubica is known for the legend of Gubec's linden, an ancient tree in front of the Church of St. George.

KRAPINA

Krapina, picturesque town in the heart of Hrvatsko Zagorje, mentioned for the first time in 1193. It was fortified town in 1330 of which only remnants have been preserved. In the middle of the 14th century it was free royal trading place, and by the end of the 15th century it was the seat of the Croatian ban. Krapina is best known by the remnants of pre-historic men of Neanderthal type, found by Dragutin Gorjanović Kramberger in 1899, in the cave on the Hušnjakovo hill.
Apart from bones of twenty pre-historic men, the objects they made were also found: points, bone  axe and others.
Today, in front of the cave there are reconstruction of pre-historic men and animals in natural size. The permanent exhibition, i.e. the Evolution museum has been opened. The town has also the native museum of Ljudevit Gaj, who was born here in 1891 and has got his statue.

SAMOBOR
Samobor is a little town in a fertile valley of the Sava River, at the footings of Samobor Mountains. It is a genuine town-museum. Each house, square or street tells its history. The ruins of the medieval burg above the present town witness the rich history as well as numerous exhibits in the Town Museum. King Bela IV gave to Samobor the charter and the status of free royal trading place. Samobor is the most developed tourist place in Zagreb County, and favourite destination of many Zagreb citizens and other guests. It is especially notable for its food and drink and attractive festivals, carnival festivities in particular. In the town vicinity there is an interesting Grgos cave and old iron, tin and gypsum mines in Rude. Some other attractive destinations are the Fairy Pits, Eco-centre Slani dol, Suban - the medicinal herb garden in Manja Vas etc.

MEDVEDNICA
The forested slopes of Mount Medvednica (often referred to by the name of its summit, Sljeme) provide a retreat into nature a tram ride away from the heart of the city.
Hikers can choose among well-marked paths leading to mountain lodges (“planinarski dom”) serving cheap, fresh and hearty food. Medvednica Nature Park is a haven for plant and animal species, cultural and geological rarities. For example, the Veternica cave lies in a 10km2 karst landscape rich in rock formations.
The main cavern is over 2km long, the first 380m of which are open to the public. Here you can see the bones of a cave bear and visit (and even adopt) the current inhabitants, bats. Or, visit the Zrinski silver mines, worked from the 16thcentury when Count Petar Zrinski was awarded the right to mine for precious metals here. After two centuries of mining, some people say the system of caves extends all the way to Gornji Grad in the centre of Zagreb.

JASTREBARSKO-UNITY OF NATURE, CULTURE AND MAN 
The town of Jastrebarsko keeps a true little treasury of tourist offer that, although thirty kilometres from the urban Zagreb, offers a warm welcome and asylum if you want to elope from everyday noise, crowd and hasty way of life. It was first mentioned in 1249. King Bela IV awarded the town with the charter of free royal market, which is kept today in the Town Museum. 750 years of history has left a rich track in many churches, chapels and castles. Nature lovers will be thrilled at first sight by the timid wine-growing foothills, wild and untouched nature, rich forests and water.There are natural water sources near Jastrebarsko that are now filled with water known as Jana. Jastrebarsko offers many recreational activities: paragliding from Japetić and Plešivica, moto-cross track in Mladina, cycling, walking and hiking trails through the beautiful nature. With each visit to Jastrebarsko, one shouldn't miss Plešivica wine road and leave without a good bottle of wine!