We survived the direct flight here in quite good shape, arriving ten minutes early at Zagreb airport, thanks to the efficiency of Qatar airlines. I have to say that Qatar airport was an experience-HUGE- no other airlines on the ground, just Qatar planes as far as the eye could see and thousands of people in transit at six am in the sweltering heat.

It was 13 degrees and raining when we arrived, but who cares? We caught the bus into the city and our first impression was of green, lots of trees and parks, even the trams drive through hedged tracks. We settled in to our apartment (which is just as wonderful as it looked on the website) , and set off for a quick explore.

Zagreb is just wonderful! We walked down the hill through winding streets, past colourful apartments and followed the locals down these stairs on our way to Trg Josipa Jelačića , the magnificent city square. I am struggling to find superlatives to describe this visual feast. There is a real vibrancy and buzz in the streets, lots of people under awnings in sidewalk restaurants and cafés , great fashions, and shops a plenty, beckoning....
Our energy levels were flagging so we called it a day , with a delicious dinner of čevapi, turkey kebabs and grilled vegetables, washed down with vino crno ( red wine), and pivo, (beer). We resisted the lure of the bus and managed to walk back, UP the stairs and were I asleep by 7.30.... What a fabulous start to Croatia!