Jet Lagged Adventures in Zagreb
Today we are heading to the Bela Krajina region of Slovenia 🇸🇮, but first we must get out of Zagreb.
After a grueling travel day that left us quite exhausted and battling jet lag, our first full morning in Zagreb didn’t exactly shout “adventure ready.” We went to bed early the night before, hoping for good rest, but instead found ourselves wide awake in the middle of the night, a bit of tossing and turning and with an urge to eat. Our plan was for an early start, but that was scrapped. We ended up rolling out of bed later than intended. Traveling overseas can be quite rough and sometimes unpredictable and full of curveballs.
With checkout at 10 a.m., we packed up, stashed our bags in the rental car, and set off to squeeze in some Zagreb sightseeing. To top off the rough night, I woke up feeling off also with no appetite which made it hard to dive into the city’s charm. Still, I pushed through, determined to soak up what I could.
Our first stop was the bustling town square market, alive with vendors selling fresh fruits under the morning sun (it was a bit warm out). We couldn’t resist grabbing some plump figs and juicy blueberries. From there, a short stroll led us to the iconic Zagreb Cathedral. It’s undergoing major renovations and it’s towered were covered with scaffolding, which muted its grandeur. But it’s heartening to see the dedication to preserving this historic gem for future generations; that kind of care speaks volumes about the city’s pride in its heritage.
Heading to Bela Krajina
Heading south, we wandered into the lush central park, a green kind of oasis amid the urban buzz. By then, I was fading fast and eager to hit the road for some downtime. But not before a quick caffeine pit stop at Ziggy café—espresso for me, cappuccino for Sara. That bold shot of espresso worked wonders, perking me up just enough to keep going.
Back at the car, we navigated out of Zagreb’s chaotic streets. It’s been years since I drove a manual transmission, and the city’s wild drivers—zipping scooters, bikes, and trams everywhere—had my nerves on edge. Miraculously, we escaped unscathed, admiring the efficient public transit and eco-friendly vibe along the way.
Krupa Turist Farm
The highway drive into Slovenia was blissfully smooth and uneventful, a welcome breather after the morning’s hustle. About an hour later, we arrived at our charming tourist farm in the Bela Krajina region, just south of Semic. This place was straight out of a storybook: friendly cats prowling, sheep grazing, chickens clucking, and even colorful parrots adding a tropical twist. It’s a real working farm, buzzing with grape harvest season—their primary crop—plus apple and pear orchards and a bountiful vegetable garden that supplies fresh meals for guests and the family alike.
Bela Krajina is in the South East portion of Slovenia. It is a somewhat remote region and quite rural. There are lots of quaint towns situated everywhere. It isn’t heavily marketed for tourism, but it is a very beautiful area.
Off to Explore
We unloaded our bags into our cozy room and wasted no time lacing up for a hike right from the farm’s doorstep. A leisurely stroll through the quaint village led to a connector trail descending to the Krupa Spring Trail. En route, we passed a fascinating cave where archaeologists uncovered prehistoric human artifacts— a cool nod to the area’s ancient history. The loop trail followed a babbling creek out and back, culminating at the stunning Krupa Spring itself: crystal-clear turquoise waters backed by towering rock faces that begged for photos.
Refreshed from the outing, we returned to the farm where our host treated us to a hearty, traditional dinner. The star was stuffed pork, paired with golden potatoes, beef soup with egg noodles, and a crisp salad straight from their garden. Portions were generous, and a sweet dessert capped it off—all for just 25€. Pure farm-to-table magic.
By day’s end, we’d clocked 3.10 miles on the hike (about 1 hour and 33 minutes) and racked up around 15,900 steps total. Exhausted but content, we called it a night.
What to Expect Tomorrow
Tomorrow, we’re diving into Semic to uncover Sara’s family roots—scouring old cemeteries for ancestral ties, visiting the local museum, and tackling a challenging hike up to Mirna Gora. Until then, keep exploring!
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Travel Day! Kicking off our Escape to Slovenia & Croatia
