Destinations
The town of Karlovac is located in the heart of Croatia where the mountain regions meet the plains, and at the juncture of four rivers: the Korana, Kupa, Mrežnica and Dobra. It is situated 55 km south-west of Zagreb, 112 metres above sea level. The area of the modern-day town of Karlovac covers 402 km2, and with approximately 55,000 inhabitants it is a medium-sized Croatian town. The climate in Karlovac is a moderate continental one with hot summers and cold winters with snow.
The Plitvice Lakes National Park is a remarkable geological and hydro geological karstic phenomenon. The Plitvica Lakes complex has been declared a National park on April 8, 1949. It is the largest, oldest and most visited Croatian National park. It presents a forested mountainous region with 16 smaller and larger lakes of crystal clear bluish-green color.
The lakes receive water from numerous rivers and streams, and they are interconnected by cascades and waterfalls. Travertine cascading barriers formed over the past ten thousand years are one of the main characteristics of the Park. Distinct geographical location and specific climate attributed have contributed to the formation of many natural phenomenon and rich biological diversity. Travertine sediments have been formed from the age of Pleistocene until today, in karst sinkholes and depressions between surrounding mountains. The Upper lakes in the south are mainly comprised of dolomite, while the Lower lakes in the north are limestone.
Rastoke is a village where the Slunjčica River flows into the river of Korana. The nature had played with turquoise waters of the river Slunjčica and divided them into a myriad of sputtering waterfalls of which the most beautiful ones are Buk, Hrvoje and Vilina kosa. By its position Rastoke is actually the first introduction to the Plitvice lakes. Unlike these lakes Rastoke is special by an intertwined human settlement with spoon-like water-mills in this exuberance of green vegetation on inlets and cliffs made three hundred years ago.
What the nature has made in thousands of years and what man built later on, while adjusting himself to the conditions of nature, with the surrounding limestone rocks, remnants of old settlements and the little town of Slunj fits harmoniously into a unique whole. Due to the harmony of the historic, ethnographic and architectural cultural heritage Rastoke was noted in the Registry of the unmovable cultural monuments at the Regional Institute for protection of cultural monuments in Zagreb in 1969.
The area of Ozalj is in the Northwest part of the municipality of Karlovac. With an area of 179.4 km2 and close to 10 000 inhabitants, located along the middle part of the river Kupa flow and her right tributary Dobra, it is distinctive for its interesting geographical diversity. The southern slopes of Žumberak mountains, rolling hills of Vivodina-Vrhovac wine country, broad and fertile Pokupsko plains, mount Vodenica (537m) and lake Šljunčara draw people to this place by its beautiful landscapes.
On a limestone cliff above the quiet, mirror-like Kupa river, stands the old town of Zrinski-Frankopan, a symbol of Ozalj and the heart of its historical development. Within its walls, as well as surrounding this area, many ancient, old Roman and medieval historical artifacts have been found. According to its value, the old city of Ozalj is rated as prime monument category.
The Ribnik valley is located on a large bend of the Kupa River, bordering Slovenia on the west and north sides, and Mount Vodenica (537 meters) on the east. Ribnik with its old town is situated on the road Karlovac–Novo Mesto, 24 kilometers northwest of Karlovac.
The old town of Ribnik – Wasserburg is a very interesting and extremely valuable monument of architecture. It is a rare example of a medieval water-moat surrounded fort in the plains. At certain times when people would close the flow of the creek, a lake would form, and the fort itself would become an island in the middle of the lake or pond (Ribnjak). This is how the ancient town got its name – Ribnik (Pond town).
Water dam lake Sabljaci, 3km far from Ogulin, because of its beauty and size (170hk, 11th place in Croatia) is also called the Ogulin sea. It was created with remodeling Zagorska Mreznica in 1959 for purpose use for HE power plant Gojak.
Behind the dam, you can see a blue oasis in the middle of the mountain landscape. The lake is a popular destination for rowers, board surfers, swimmers, divers and fishermen. During the summer it is also used for „Lake games“, with a rowing regatta and other sport activities. There is also a possibility of walking and cycling around the lake. Outing and recreational center and restaurant „Sabljaci“ surrounded by a park are located by the coast of lake.
Just upstream from the bridge next to the small village of Zlatari, not far from Donji Primisalj, by the road which leads from Slunj to Tounjski Trzic and Kukaci is the „Canyon – park Vrela Mreznica“. It spreads on and around islands of Mreznica river, surrounded by waterfalls of the river. Mreznica flows in a narrow valley of steep, high and rocky cliffs.
The Canyon park is suitable for water trips (rafting, canyoning, canoeing, free climbing...) and team building programs (paintball, village games...). There is also fine couisine on offer in the nearby restaurant and cottages.
Near the village of Nova Krslja, close to Rakovica, are located three Barac caves: Upper (big), Down (little) and New cave. Caves were an important habitat for humans in pre historic and middle age eras. They are rich with icicles and calcite jewelry and cave animals.
They are being explored since 1874, and 18 years later were opened for visitors as one of the first caves prepared for tourists in Croatia. The area around Barac caves was proclaimed as protected landscape.
Lesce Spa has a unique position – beside the river Dobra coast. Located in a village called Lesce, not far away from Generalski Stol, is a pleasant site for bathing, relaxing, recreation and rehabilitation.
There are two outdoor and one inside pool, a restaurant and a wellness center. The temperature of spring water in the inside pool is 33˙C, which offers a warm bath that helps with healing different illnesses. Outdoor pools are opened during summer. Restaurant „Lesce“ offers delicious meals prepared from home made food.
Vivodina area, with 26 nearby villages, is known from historic times for grapevine cultivation. In Ozalj–Vivodina area, 80 acres are wineyards, with many sorts of wine, such as: Riesling, Sauvignon, Rhine Riesling, Chardonnay, Yellow Muscat, Gray Pinot, Black Pinot, Franconia, Zweigelt and young wine Portuguese. Many awards and recognitions testify of the excellence of Vivodina wine.
Winemakers, wine keepers and fruit growers of Ozalj association, since 1996 prepare each June an international wine exhibition in Vivodina. Through the beautiful countryside from Vivodina to Vrhovac there is a 30 km long wine road. Along the road, guests can enjoy home made meals, and taste top quality wine.
Croatian Olympic Center (COC) Bjelolasica is located under the same named mountain in Jasenacko Vrelo basin, about 620m altitude, 27km from Ogulin and 1h15 minutes, from Zagreb or Rijeka. COC Bjelolasica is the perfect place for a vacation, sports and recreation all year round.
It has a restaurant, sport hall, gym and sauna, athletic fields, football, tennis, basketball, volleyball, handball, bowling and mini golf courts. Countryside is perfect for walking, hiking, alpinism, cycling, horse back riding. In winter, the Center offers the pleasure of skiing, sledging and ski cross country. There are many kilometers of arranged tracks for skiing, with the highest point on cliff Bjelolasica (1392m alt).