Way to Croatia
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Those searching to experience some of the local life should join in grape picking which is one of the most important events in the annual circle of nature, and one of the merriest. Varaždinske toplice is a small town surrounded by undulating hills and rolling meadows, vineyards, orchards and forests. The town grew up around the warm water springs which gave it its name. Ever since the Roman times (archeological finds of Roman thermal bath Aquae Iasae) Varaždinske Toplice has been a well known spa, while the vineyard covered hills surrounding it for centuries yield exceptional varieties of wines. We recommend a visit to the Cellars and the restaurant of Zlatne gorice where one can enjoy mouth-watering food and experience numerous surprises up and down the Old Slavonic wine route. Among those surprises some are of the sweet kind – like the home baked cakes in the Slatka hiža (Sweet house), while others offer a different type of refreshment in the water park of the Minerva Health Resort and Hotel in Varaždinske Toplice (www.minerva.hr). This route is located in the northern part of the Varaždin County, in the municipality of Cestica on the border with the Republic of Slovenia. The roots of winegrowing in these parts reach all the way to the Celtic times, while during the Roman rule the quality of wines produced here was such that they were being ferried to Rome under military guard. The route is made all the more interesting by the ten rural homesteads and tasting rooms, where excellent white wines, wines of late harvest and ice wines are a must. Red wines in these climes are not too common, which makes them all the more interesting, and the local Pinot Noir, Frankovka and Portugizac are really nice.
Tourist Board of Varaždin County www.turizam-vzz.hr www.vinske-ceste-vzz.com