Amerikanka in Croatia

My WordPress Blog

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Services
  • About Me
  • Contact

Archives for January 2018

Zagreb, Croatia: the #1 Christmas Market in Europe

09/01/2018 by Anastasia Kingsley Leave a Comment

Maybe you will be surprised, as I was, that in little old Croatia, with its 4.5 million population at best, the Zagreb Christmas market was awarded the best Christmas market in Europe? Ho, ho, ho!

Christmas is over – but Winter is still here! It’s not too late to explore and check out the city as well as the legendary January sales.  I wanted to let you in on this marvelous little secret! We really enjoyed the Advent festivities and plan to return next year, as well! As we live in the south where the weather is a bit warmer and a little un-Christmasy, it took just one weekend of Northern chillier air to get us in the Holiday mood.

Christmas Markets in Zagreb
Real Christmas trees were seen and scented all over the city of ZG (grad Zagreb)

 

Although it’s the third year in a row, we honestly had no idea, until we got here, that little old Zagreb, with its scanty one million population, took the #1 prize (again) this winter. Beating out towns like  Brno, Czech Republic; Vienna, Austria and the cute little German towns just a bit further down the road…

Why? Because the Croatian capital city  is known for being safe, clean, centrally located and very motivated to receive guests year round, particularly during WINTER.

Winter activities can include dance, theatre and Vatroslav Lisinski Hall for arguably the best cultural events in Croatia.  It was a mixed visit but we primarily came for Advent.  Since most of the activities take place in Zrinjevac, a car would be more of a hindrance than a help.  We used UBER to get around town in a hurry and Grad Zagreb public transportation when we had time to linger.  During Advent, trams are free of charge during the weekend.  The weather was warm, we didn’t need to wear hats and gloves and the whole experience was *very* user friendly.

Where to go out in Zagreb
The Zagreb night life was situated on the Trg with plenty of tiny lights, little huts and booths everywhere.

Here are a few photos to give you an idea:

Baby it’s cold outside
Mistletoe anyone?
Ooh, a secret passage…
Zagreb Christmas Market
Ban Jelacic “carpe diem!”
Like “Batman”
Blue skyline city skies
Unexpected curiosities

Croatia really did a great job in the hospitality department.  Ever street was whimsically decorated, some with ornaments, other times an array of shoes dangling from a wire – including ice skates – mistletoe was seen in various locations – and other ideas from a fresh new breed of young marketing students.  The experience was very creative and full of surprises –

After years of waiting, I finally encountered Santa Claus in real life!  Sorry – no photo – but – he was sitting in his sleigh drawn by two white horses!  (I knew that Santa was for real!) A spirit of joy and magic was in the air. We tasted the spicy mulled wine….

GOOD FOOD at GOOD PRICES

and eventually bought high quality burgers and salad at Good Food (which lives up to its name) near the city center.  I had an excellent Caesar salad and the kids had authentic American style hamburgers with a side of fries – it came to 134 kunas (fair). Jam packed – and delightful.

 

ENGLISH SPEAKERS

Furthermore, everyone we encountered along the way spoke excellent ENGLISH. This city is the kind of place that people on the street will almost always tell you which tram you need to take to get downtown. They are usually smiling when they hear your trying to pronounce the Croatian words, and offer to explain it to you in your native tongue.  I also must say, to the credit of Zagrepcani (those living in Zagreb) it is first of all, a very attractive population. I must also mention well dressed, and most usually trim and fit.  In conclusion, I am more thankful every day for the lovely place I have chosen to live in.

Those who plan to take advantage of this opportunity next year may want to reserve in advance.  We were fortunately able to rent a place at the last moment (on December 16) when the town (according to Booking.com) was 99% full!  (yikes!)

LET IT SNOW

Another surprise along the way.  I personally prefer bus travel – so I can text with friends, read and unwind – and right in the midpoint of Croatia, around Sveti Rok (Saint Rocco) tunnel there is a big climatic change.  On one side it can be 10-15 degrees higher than the other, since the tunnel is several kilometers long and pierces the mountain thus saving a lot of travel time. So, when we got to the other side of the tunnel, the entire bus gasped gleefully – SNOW!

“Snow in Cro”-atia

As a former Californian, I like looking at snow much more than living in it, so playing in snow at the rest stop was just enough for me 🙂

The next morning on Ban Jelačić square (the Trg – pronounced TERG) we met friends at Johann Franck coffee house – the former “uppity” library for the Zagreb elite, a place to see and be seen 🙂  with a dance floor on the top level and lots of books.  There is a winding, spiral staircase between the floors, with a smoking and non-smoking section.  Ambiance, ambiance!

The old library 😉
“Kids these days…(lol)”
Zagreb Cafe culture
Zagreb Coffee Culture

After our visit, eventually we jumped on tram #2 which led us directly to our destination:  The autobus kolodvor (Zagreb bus station) for our express bus back to Zadar (it takes about 4 hours, on the Superhighway A1).

INEXPENSIVE (AND RELIABLE) BUS TRAVEL – TICKETS

The lowest prices I have found (at time of writing) are APP  (150 kunas for a round trip ticket – or 108 for one way) but you’ll first need to make a discount ID card, which is free of charge, with a passport-sized photo – information here) and  Čazmatrans is also reasonable.  The general bus transportation link is buscroatia – Flix bus is good too – but generally more expensive.

FOLLOW ME

So that you don’t miss a single issue, you can subscribe at the top right hand side of this page.

You can also follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and Twitter 🙂

YOUR ZAGREB TRIP – BOOKING

There are many ways to go.  Some phone or visit the tourist bureau.  Others find private offerings by word of mouth or even people holding signs at the bus station. I usually book online by mobile ap.  Njuskalo  is an online want ad forum. This may seem like an unusal place to look, but when all else fails, I look under the Real estate rentals section. A few places do offer night to night accommodations (see below in the Links).

Wishing you a Happy New Year in 2018, filled with promise and hope!

 

MORE LINKS:

City of Zagreb tourist bureau

Booking.com

Airbnb.com

Njuskalo.hr 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

New Years’ Eve on the BOTEL!

08/01/2018 by Anastasia Kingsley 1 Comment

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE FUN

As an American expat, I am always on the look-out for exciting ways to enjoy my Croatian experience. Well – I am happy to say – I found it.  And what a jewel of a find.  We attended the Rockabilly Party on the BOTEL – a boat / hotel docked on the Rijeka shore – and what a party it was!

 

partyboat_rijeka
The rockabilly band brought out the best in everyone 🙂

Live music to hits from the 1950s and 1960s – which meant, of course, dancing and whimsical dress-up.  The evening’s festivities also included pin-up girls, a game of chance, and a constantly replenished, complete smorgasbord of meats, cheeses, cold salads and desserts – with open bar – and free champagne at midnight. With such a great vibe in the air, smiling newcomers wandered in after 1 am to join in on the hey-daddy-o beat.  If I had my chance, it was the kind of New Year’s Eve you could celebrate at least a few times a year.

New Year's Eve Party Rijeka BOTEL Croatia
All dressed up and somewhere to go.. the BOTEL MARINA!

WHY THE BOTEL IS – WELL – UNIQUE

The historical BOTEL Marina was built in Sweden back in 1936, and named after the newlywed  crown princess of Sweden, Ingrid, who was later known for her courageous resistance during WWII.

Many years later, the vessel was used as an island-hopping ferry boat here in Croatia.  After it was retired from its official duties, it was reincarnated as a fully functioning “pocket of joy” and for the past four years, has been a popular edition to the nightlife of central Rijeka. Completely reburbished, it is quite elegant, with rooms accomodating two to four persons, as well as a somewhat cheaper dorm option for travelling students and other frugal guests.

To this day, it is the ONLY boat-hotel combination on the Mediterranean Sea! (and that is covering quite a lot of territory).

HOW TO BOOK THE BOTEL

Located directly on the Rijeka Riva (shoreline), it is available for weddings, seminars and private events. Family owned and operated by Andrea and Jelena Kusheta , it has a level of customer service that is hard to find outside the USA.  The smiling receptionist above is Alexandra – she was kind enough to show me around.

The book featured above explains the Botel’s history, written in both Croatian and English.

The Botel can be reached directly at  +385.(0)51.410.162, alternatively   http://www.botel-marina.com/

Not only is the location ideal, Breakfast is included 🙂

SOLD OUT – AGAIN!

Needless to say, this year’s New Year’s Eve Rockabilly Night was sold out – for the fourth year in a row!

pacific bullets rockabilly nova godina 2018
The lively rockabilly beat helped bring in the New Year, courtesy of the Pacific Bullets from Zadar.

 

RIJEKA MASKERADE

 

For those who follow Croatian holidays, one of the funniest events of the year occurs between New Year in January and Easter in March or April.  Better known by its French name as Mardi Gras, the Croatian version of the very same thing is called Maškarada  – or Mascarade.  It was one of the few opportunities for the Croatian peasants to be able to poke fun at their politicians without being severly reprimanded.  People very cleverly learned how to make costumes from old clothes and it was more preposterous and silly than its scarier English cousin, Halloween.

Believe it or not, the best place to experience Maskerade is in Rijeka!  I don’t know why this is so -but it is.  It is an event that people prepare for and think about months in advance with an exorbitant parade and judging.  It is on the news and lasts 2-3 weeks before Lent begins. Click here to see how people dress for it – group costumes are especially popular.

It is not a bad idea to consider booking a night in Rijeka for the wild and crazy festivities!  This year, Maskarade starts on January 17 and ends on February 14, 2018.  The hostels are booking up – and – there is always the BOTEL.

Here is a link to the Rijeka Tourist Board – and – in case I didn’t tell you before – Happy New Year 2018!

 

 

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Hey there!

My name is Anastasia. I’m a translator by day and groupie by night - (I love to go out and hear live music!).

Born, raised, and educated in the USA, I live in the most beautiful place in the world, Dalmatia, on the gorgeous Croatian coastline, the land of my forefathers. Ever since I came here, I've been called Amerikanka, and I’ve grown to like it.

Tell me what you want to know about CROATIA!

Translated.net

Certified Translators

You might be interested in…

March Madness, the Medieval Calendar – and why you feel tired

Workout for free (or cheap) at Višnjik Sports Center in ZADAR

Categories

  • Uncategorized

Archives

Recent Comments

  • Anastasia Kingsley on A mild form of outdoor meditation – the Labryinths of Zadar
  • Tihana on A mild form of outdoor meditation – the Labryinths of Zadar
  • Anastasia Kingsley on Croatian Cvita Recipe
  • https://nasa.ecologyinfo.com/what-are-two-differences-between-venus-and-earth on Thermal Hot Springs – Croatian Winter Itinerary
  • Ann Dragich Belson on Croatian Cvita Recipe

Copyright © 2023 — Amerikanka in Croatia • All rights reserved.

Designed by Small Town Co., LLC