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While it has only been the political capital of Croatia since 1991, Zagreb has long been a cultural and artistic blend of Eastern and Western influences. In medieval times, Zagreb consisted of two separate towns, Kaptol, the religious center, and Gradec, the commercial hub, which were separated by the river Medvescak. Today, Gradec and Kaptol together form the Upper Town, or Gornji Grad, and is the historic Old Town of Zagreb, while the Lower Town, or Donji Grad, on the plains is more chic and contemporary.
The Istrian Peninsula is a relatively unknown secret in Croatia, but is our favorite part of the country. Resplendent with Roman ruins, Venetian architecture, and a landscape reminiscent of Tuscany sixty years ago, Istria is home to a wealth of art, architecture, and culture, augmented by wonderful cuisine and excellent wines. Istria is also the heart of the truffle-growing region of Croatia.
Slovenia is the avant-garde center of culture and cuisine in Europe. The Ljubljana Opera House, one of Europe’s great cultural venues, is the birthplace of Gustav Mahler, the legendary composer. Ljubljana is a delightful Austro-Hungarian city full of old world architecture and charm. It is an excellent stopover on the way to the villages of Bled and Bohinj and the beautiful lake districts at the foot of the Julian Alps. The place to stay in Bled is the Relais & Chateaux Villa Bled, the former residence of President Tito, which is a luxurious and extremely atmospheric hotel with tremendous history behind it. The ancient Bled castle, which towers over the town dates back to the Dukes of Brixen, while the lake with an island rising out of it, gives the whole village a truly idyllic feel.
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