Zagreb Delights — Gelato, Lakes & More
Zagreb, in many ways, resembled a miniature Prague, boasting a compact, pedestrian-friendly layout, expansive main squares, and architectural similarities. If I'm being entirely honest, as this European adventure unfolds, the cities are beginning to blur into one another. Each place even seems to host the same types of stores, and all they seem to eat in Europe is meat, potatoes, and desserts. I’m certainly not complaining about the latter...
In fact, Zagreb introduced me to my favourite gelato flavour so far. The English translation remains somewhat elusive, but according to the gelato shop attendant, it was called 'nougat'. While I can't say for certain if it was truly nougat, to me, it tasted like a nostalgic childhood flavour from my favourite ice cream parlour in Noosa, on the Sunshine Coast (white chocolate), complete with enticing swirls of Nutella. I can proudly confirm that I indulged in this heavenly ice cream every single day, and each bite filled me with sheer delight.
My stay in Zagreb was brief and sweet, lasting just two nights. Consequently, I didn't dedicate an extensive amount of time to exploring the city itself. Instead, I opted for a 4 am wake-up call on my full day there and embarked on a two-hour bus journey to Plitvice Lakes National Park. Words cannot adequately express my feelings about this entire experience. I have never hiked through a more exquisite national park; the lakes' crystal-clear blue and green hues felt entirely surreal. I am still awestruck by its breathtaking beauty. Moreover, the park was exceptionally well organised — during my hike, I even had the pleasure of taking a boat (a freaking boat!) across the lakes. Once I completed my hike, a shuttle bus was waiting to return me to the park's entrance. If you ever find yourself in Croatia, I implore you to visit this national park. You will unquestionably be left in awe.
Following my idyllic day at the national park, I took things easy on my last day in Zagreb. My flight wasn't scheduled to depart until 6 pm, so I left my luggage at the hostel and meandered through the city. I quickly discovered that Zagreb featured winding, hilly streets. During my explorations, I visited the Stone Gate, where candles burned brightly, and devout individuals spent minutes in prayer. I then stumbled upon the Dolac Market, a sprawling open-air market near the main square, where locals shopped for fresh produce and various knick-knacks. Much of Zagreb was undergoing restoration, with many of the main attractions hidden behind scaffolding, so I didn’t get to see too much. Nevertheless, the city remained a picturesque place for a leisurely stroll. Most importantly, I learned that Croatia is one of the few countries in Europe without a single Starbucks, but it certainly compensates with bakeries on virtually every corner.
Croatia undeniably reinforced the beauty of Europe, but I suspect my next destination, Santorini, has even more breathtaking sights in store for me...