The project: Experience Local – Explore Rural Croatia was launched to encourage domestic tourism by showcasing the richness and diversity of Croatia’s rural destinations. As part of a thematic video campaign, the initiative will also highlight the natural beauty of the Green Ring of Zagreb.
Filming for the promotional video took place in the green oasis of Zagreb County — the Žumberak–Samoborsko Gorje Nature Park — as well as at the family farm (OPG) of Robert Braje and the Vinogradarska Kuća Braje excursion site. These locations were selected to present our tourism philosophy, “from field to table.” Promoting family farms plays a vital role in branding and strengthening rural tourism, which underpins Croatia’s authentic tourism offering.
To showcase the region’s rich gastronomic heritage, the campaign also features Plešivički copanjek — a traditional savoury pastry made from fresh cow’s cheese and nettles. Quality and tradition guarantee a complete Plešivica experience, where fine wines and homemade specialities blend into a true sensory delight. A wide selection of award-winning wines, together with gastronomic highlights such as roast duck with mlinci, homemade butter, and home-grown vegetables and meat, promise a premium culinary experience you will want to return to time and again.
For residents of Zagreb and central Croatia, the vast green landscapes of the Žumberak–Samoborsko Gorje Nature Park offer the perfect setting for a digital detox. Covering 350 km² and home to just around 4,000 permanent residents, the park ranges in altitude from 180 to 1,178 metres. Žumberak boasts a wealth of visitor attractions, from diverse flora and fauna and abundant water resources to natural landmarks such as the Slapnica Canyon and the Sopot Waterfall, pristine forests, and scenic mountain peaks. Visitors can also explore archaeological sites, historic heritage, ethnological treasures, charming chapels, and a variety of sports and recreational trails. Hikers can enjoy 88 marked hiking trails, complemented by four themed educational paths thoughtfully integrated into the natural surroundings. More experienced mountaineers will find rewarding challenges in peaks such as Japetić, Plešivica, Zečak, Oštrc, Okić, and the highest of them all, Sveta Gora. Cycling enthusiasts are equally welcome, with six marked cycling routes crisscrossing the expansive nature park. However you choose to explore — and at whatever pace — keep your eyes open and your senses alert, as Žumberak is home to numerous plant and animal species, some of which are rare and protected. You may even encounter the rare Daphne blagayana flower or spot the distinctive black salamander.
“I am convinced that this project represents an important step forward in popularising rural tourism, supported at the national level. Experience Local allows us to showcase what lies at the heart of sustainable tourism — local ingredients and products — through our tourism experiences. Our tourism offering is firmly rooted in local, authentic and traditional values, which, combined with unspoilt nature and a wide range of outdoor activities, create a unique blend that underpins tourism development in Zagreb County. As the green living room of Zagreb, Zagreb County boasts three wine roads, the most developed wine tourism in Croatia, and more than 14,000 family farms — all clear indicators of our exceptional tourism potential,” emphasised Ivana Alilović, Director of the Zagreb County Tourist Board.
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