Pick up your rental car at the airport (following the instructions you'll receive before your flight) and hit the road.

After a hearty breakfast, leave your car in a city center parking lot and enjoy the city on foot.

The Zagreb Cathedral in Croatia is a massive stone castle that reaches for the sky with its two pointed spires. It's the tallest building in the entire country, so you can see it from almost anywhere in Zagreb. Just imagine, its spires are as tall as if we stacked 35 giraffes on top of each other!

• Admission is completely free. You can leave a voluntary contribution in the collection box at the site, which goes toward the monument's restoration.

Then head through Ban Jelačić Square, where it's always buzzing, blue trams are ringing, and a brave knight on horseback watches over everything from the center. It's the most important spot in the whole city, where people meet up, hang out, and relax.

St. Mark's Church is one of the oldest churches in the city and has become a symbol of all of Croatia. When you first look at it, you'll be immediately drawn to its roof, which looks like a cheerful, patterned sweater.

There are two coats of arms on the roof.

The coat of arms on the left: It belongs to the old Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia, and Dalmatia. You'll see a red and white checkerboard on it and the heads of three brave lions with golden crowns.

The coat of arms on the right: That is the old coat of arms of the city of Zagreb. It shows a white castle with three towers and an open gate. The open gate means that the city is happy to welcome every kind visitor.

The Lotrščak Tower is an old stone watchtower. It has stood on the hill above the city for hundreds of years, protecting its inhabitants from enemies in the past. Today, it’s a great spot for curious explorers, offering a view of the whole city right at your feet.

The most fun (and loudest) part of the whole tower is the Grič cannon, which lives in a little window right at the top. Every single day, when the clock strikes exactly 12:00 PM, this cannon lets out a huge bang: BOOM!

Legend has it that back in the day, this blast scared off enemies trying to attack the city so much that they preferred to run away. Today, it fires just for fun, and locals in Zagreb use the shot to check if their watches are set correctly. If you're near the tower at noon, don't forget to cover your ears!

Strossmayer Promenade is basically a walkway where you'll find large telescopes along the railing, and in some spots, you'll see hundreds of colorful padlocks hanging there. People lock them there for luck and throw the key down the hill so their friendship or love lasts forever. There are beautiful views of the city and the cathedral from here. 

The Chocolate Museum in Zagreb is the sweetest and most fragrant place, where the main rule is: touching the exhibits and, most importantly, TASTING is encouraged! Right at the entrance, you don't get a regular paper ticket, but an actual box full of different kinds of chocolate and a special spoon. You then use it along the way to scoop up liquid chocolate directly from flowing fountains.

• If you arrived early yesterday and managed to see some of the city, I offer you two more attractions, not just for kids: the Museum of Illusions and the Nikola Tesla Technical Museum.

Zrinjevac Park is one of the most famous and romantic city parks right in the heart of Zagreb. In the park, you'll see a music pavilion, a meteorological column, the Mushroom fountain, an alley of 130-year-old plane trees, and busts of Croatian historical figures. It's a favorite relaxation spot for both locals and tourists.

Back to the parking lot and off to the accommodation for two nights

Tickets must be purchased in advance online via the official park e-shop. The number of visitors per day is strictly limited. When purchasing, you select a specific day and entry time. You must enter the park within your chosen time window. You can just show the ticket on your phone; there is no need to print it. The price also includes a boat ride and a ride on the panoramic train inside the park.

• Paid official parking lots are available. The price varies depending on the season and vehicle type. Payment is made at automatic pay stations upon departure.
• Swimming and any pollution of the water are strictly prohibited throughout the national park.
• I recommend sturdy sports shoes, as the surface can be slippery after rain.

Rastoke is a magical historical village often called the "little Plitvice". Here, the river splits into dozens of small branches and tumbles down over the rocks. The houses are built of wood and stone right above the flowing water.

You can visit real historical mills here that have been running for hundreds of years without electricity. You're in for a treat as you hunt for hidden caves tucked right behind the curtains of falling water. The whole village is small, so even the tiniest feet can easily walk through it.

• You will find 4 official parking lots right at the entrances to the village (marked as Parking Rastoke 1 to 4).

Welcome to prehistoric times! Right here, on a hill called Hušnjakovo, real Neanderthals once took shelter. Today, one of the most modern museums in the world stands here, ready to pull you into the story. You'll walk past giant models of mammoths and saber-toothed tigers, and see lifelike figures of prehistoric people making fire or hunting. The entire museum kicks off with a film that makes you feel like a hunter in the Ice Age yourself. Outside, there's a great trail leading through the forest around the prehistoric statues.

Trakoščan Castle rises on a rock above a dense forest like an inaccessible fortress. You will explore secret chambers full of real swords, armor, and historical weapons. You'll finish your expedition perfectly with a walk around the castle lake, where you'll definitively seal your family mission.

• Right below the castle hill, a short distance from the lake and Hotel Trakošćan, there is a large official parking lot.
• Entry to the extensive forest park and the educational trail around the lake is completely free.
• A beautiful, roughly 5 km long educational trail called the "Fairies' Path" leads around the entire castle lake. The path is flat, paved, and suitable for sports strollers and balance bikes.

The small town of Samobor is famous for its kremšnita dessert. If you aren't tired, take a walk to the center in the evening and try the Samobor kremšnita. In the Czech environment, this type of dessert (puff pastry, custard/pudding, and whipped cream) is usually called žloutkový řez or simply krémeš. The traditional Samobor version contains only a thick, warm egg custard lightened with whipped egg whites.

Don't forget to be at the airport at least 2-3 hours before your flight. Return the (refueled) car and head to your gate. Have a safe flight home!