day 1: Zagreb BIG Tour
See Zagreb beyond the postcard center on an all‑encompassing mix of panoramic driving and relaxed walking. Start with a fresh look at everyday local life in modern Novi Zagreb, then take in elegant city set pieces such as Republic of Croatia Square, Tomislav Square, and the Botanical Garden. A highlight is majestic Mirogoj Cemetery, peaceful arcades, history, and atmosphere, before you shift into the medieval heart of the city. In the Upper Town, follow your guide through the Cathedral area, Ban Jelačić Square, the mystical Stone Gate, and colorful St. Mark’s Square, with time to spot the quirky Museum of Broken Relationships and the charming funicular. Wrap up with an easy return to your hotel or stay downtown to enjoy Zagreb’s café culture.

day 2: Plitvice Lakes National Park (with Rastoke)
Leave Zagreb for a full‑day nature escape to UNESCO‑listed Plitvice Lakes, an ever‑changing world of 16 turquoise lakes and more than 90 waterfalls set among beech and fir forests. En route, stop in storybook Rastoke, the “little Plitvice,” where wooden houses and historic watermills sit above rushing mini‑cascades at the confluence of the Slunjčica and Korana rivers. At the park, walk scenic wooden boardwalks past travertine formations, explore both Upper and Lower Lakes, and enjoy an electric boat ride across Lake Kozjak plus a panoramic train journey for different perspectives. Look out for signature sights like the dramatic Veliki Slap and Veliki Prštavac, then pause for a hearty Lika‑style lunch break before returning to Zagreb with your camera full and your mind completely reset.

day 3: Ljubljana & Lake Bled
Cross borders for a perfectly paced Slovenia day trip that pairs Alpine calm with capital‑city charm. After hotel pickup in Zagreb, enjoy the scenic drive into the Julian Alps and arrive at Lake Bled, emerald water, mountain air, and a cliff‑top medieval castle that feels straight out of a legend. Walk the lakeside paths, snap the classic viewpoints, and choose your ideal moment: a traditional pletna boat ride to the island church to ring the bell for wishes, or a sweet stop for the famous kremšnita cake. Continue to Ljubljana for a guided stroll through a compact, photogenic center shaped by Jože Plečnik, Town Hall, lively market streets, and the iconic Triple and Dragon Bridges, then ride the funicular up to Ljubljana Castle for panoramic views over the Ljubljanica River. Return to Zagreb in the evening, refreshed and inspired.