On our walking retreats, our main focus is contemplative walks in quiet, peaceful, and beautiful sites in nature. We combine the characteristics of the natural environment with the purpose of going deeper into our own meditations or reflection. This includes walking by rivers, immersing ourselves in forests, visiting areas associated with fire, as well as walking to ancient sacred sites etc.
Our walks take place in Northern Croatia, spanning through the regions of Zagorje, Podravina and Međimurje. These regions are known for their hilly terrain, mountains, forests, hot springs, rivers and fields. In the near future we also plan to expand to central Croatia, to the quiet deep woods of Moslavina.
All of the sites we visit are off the beaten track and carefully selected, with the sole purpose of facilitating an appropriate environment for our participants, in which they can go deeper into their personal observation and contemplation.
Zagorje
Croatian Zagorje is a region that encompass almost the entire Varaždin county, part of Zagreb country and the entire Krapina-Zagorje county. It is a transitional region from the Alpic to Panonnian scenary, bounded by rivers and hills. It is known for its fairytale-like landscapes with numerous hills, magical forests and three mountains – Ivančica, Ravna Gora, and Medvednica. The entire Northern Croatia is known for many castles and burgs, and this particular region has about 50 of them, which tells us a lot of its rich medieval history.
The town of Lepoglava and surrounding hills.
The area around the Trakošćan castle. Photo by Siniša Sović
The entrance to the Vindija cave. Photo by Shimoda
The area of Donja Voća. Photo by Siniša Sović
Due to the volcanic activity in the ancient past, the region has numerous sources of warm, hot, and mineral water, used by the spas such as Varaždin spa, Tuheljske, Krapinske, Stubičke, Sutinske spa, and a number of them in nearby Slovenia.
This mystical lands with its fertile soil has hosted various cultures of the past, such as the Celts, the Romans, and the early Croatian tribes etc. It was also a home of the mysterious order of the Knight Templars and their succesors, the knights of Saint John.
Međimurje
The Međimurje region encompasses the county of the same name, and it is the northernmost county in Croatia, bordering with Slovenia and Hungary. Unlike Zagorje which is all hilly and mountainous, Međimurje landscape is both flat and hilly, which is why the region is divided into Upper and Lower Međimurje.
Just like in Zagorje, here also are many vineyards, fields, forests and walking paths. The famous philosopher and scientist Rudolf SteinerIn was born and went to school here. Also it was from this region that the Zrinski family originated, one of the most prominent noble family of Croatian history.
The rolling hills of Međimurje. Photo by Julian Duval
On the Mura river
A town of Štrigova
In Međimurje we visit the walking paths by the Mura river, which is one of the longer rivers travelling though Croatia. The Mura begins its course in Austria, flowing through Slovenia, and finally Croatia where it merges with the Drava river near the quaint old village of Legrad.
Podravina
Podravina is a region in the eastern part of Northern Croatia. Although similar in landscape to Zagorje and Međimurje, it has its own particular qualities that make it distinct. It is a transition between the cultures of Northern and Eastern Croatia, having the qualities of both.
Drava river
Drava river in Podravina
It is also known for its vineyards, hospitable folk, vast fields, and the river Drava that has now become twice its size after its merger with the river Mura at Legrad. This is an area of a high interest for our walks, as it also known as the Croatian Amazon.