Zagreb, Croatia: Day 1 of 2.

After visiting Krka National Park, we retreated to Split again because the weather was not cooperating. After a week of waiting for a nicer weather window, we headed back out with sights set on Zagreb and Plitvitce National Park.

Hmmmm, not the sunny skies we were hoping for. Haha.

Whenever we stay in capitals or large cities in Europe, we opt for parking in a city lot. This allows us to experience the city more like a local and also allows us to walk easily to downtowns, old towns and/or sites we want to visit. This particular lot was a short walk from the center of Zagreb and cost us 10 kuna ($1.48) a day from 7am-7pm. It was free between 7pm-7am. They even had one large spot that fit our 22ft van.

Luka likes it when his name appears in random places around Croatia. Today was no different.

Within a few minutes from our parking spot, we find ourselves at Trg Kralja Tomislav (King Tomislav Square). Part of the square is fenced off as they prepare for the upcoming Christmas festivities. It’s a big deal here in December. Looks like there will be a ice rink and ice path as well as the famous little wooden houses selling traditional winter food and drinks.

It’s interesting listening and interacting with inland Croatians. I never really thought about how I was raised speaking with a Dalmatian dialect. So much so that I was having to ask people in town to repeat themselves so I could catch everything they were saying. Speak. Slowly. Please.

Our next stop in town was Crvka Svetog Marka (St. Mark’s Church). The glazed roof tiles were beautiful. The right side depicts the city emblem of Zagreb and the left side depicts the Croatian, Dalmatian and Slavonian coats-of-arms.

The side of the church had the oldest coat of arms of Zagreb dated 1499. Today there is a replica of it on the church while the original sits in a museum.

The front door of the church.

Off to find a place that the kids were really looking forward to visiting.

The Museum of Illusions!

Us in the Infinity Room.

A family pass cost us 120 kuna ($17.75). Well worth the smiles and shenanigans from these happy kids.

Mila making her signature double chin face in a kaleidoscope.

Teeny kids. Huge daddy.

Oh oh. The roles have been reversed. Haha.

What in the world?!?!

This is a half Mila half Ava creature.

Learning about color theory with the kids.

Look! We are ALL the same height!!

Squishing her teeny siblings sitting in a chair.

Luka gives teeny mama a thumbs up.

That completes our first day in Zagreb. Tomorrow, we will visit the Art Museum and see where else life takes us.

Here is little video I posted on Instagram of our first day in Zagreb.

Thanks for following along on our family’s adventures through Europe,
Marlene