Dates visited: September 12, 2009 – September 13, 2009
My selection of countries on this European vacation (Croatia, Slovenia, and Bosnia and Herzegovina) was based on visiting places where there wasn’t a lot of emphasis on museums. Since Rohan was only three years old, our priority was flexibility. Thus, we rented a car for the entire duration, stopped whenever we wanted to take a break, and visited cities and small towns without having to hurry because of crowds.
We flew into Zágreb and decided to check out the city. Two days were sufficient for us as we took in sights such as St. Catherine’s church and St. Mark’s church, and strolled along Ban Jelačić Square. However, Rohan remembers Zágreb for getting his first international time-out—many more time-outs have followed since then, but we still love to tease him about his Croatian time-out!
I had booked an automatic transmission car online through a big European rental company, however, when I went to pick it up, the agent said he did not have an automatic transmission. He did not even know why their Web site provided a confirmation of an automatic transmission car. This was devastating since I have never driven a manual transmission in my life and without a car, there was no way I was going to commence my vacation. A setback on day 2 of a two-week vacation! After I explained my situation, the agent was nice enough to call a couple of local car rental companies who had an automatic transmission, and even convinced them to honor the rate that his company had provided. With that, we were all set and ready to go.
- Admiring the blue caterpillar-like Zagreb trams
- The lively Ban Jelačić Square, abuzz with activity as the statue of Josip Jelačić keeps watch
- Equestrian statue of Josip Jelačić, a national hero (governor) who extended citizens’ rights and united the Croats
- Ready to hit the streets of Zagreb… …
- Church of St. Mark in St. Mark’s Square, Gradec
- Impressive building… …apparently, a lot of important buildings are painted yellow
- Tram at the popular Ban Jelačić Square
- Some art, I just don’t get!
- Ban’s Palace—Government building that has offices for the prime minister
- Tiled roof of Church of St. Mark representing two coats of arms
- Getting his first international time-out… …
- Dora Krupićeva (goldsmith’s daughter from the novel “The Goldsmith’s Gold”) holding the key to the city
- Enjoying our walk on the streets of Zagreb (near Stone Gate)… …I was looking for souvenirs, he was looking for pigeons
- St. George slaying the dragon (near Stone Gate)
- Boiled corn, grilled corn, pop corn… …you want it, you got it!