Croatia - Eastern Europe - page 198

ORGANIZED TOURS
Almost everything worth seeing in Zagreb is within walking distance of the main
square or a short tram or bus ride away. However, if you want to inject some whimsy
into your sightseeing, try one of the city's 2-hour-long costumed walking tours. A
guide dressed like a famous person from Zagreb history will show you around and per-
haps throw in little-known facts about the city and its sites. You can buy tickets at the
Tourist Information Center at Andrijevi 5 eva 12 ( & 01/370-35-53 ) for 95kn
($16/£8.70) per person. Tours leave from the TIC daily at 10am and 4pm.
SHOPPING IN ZAGREB
Zagreb's economy is recovering after years of being in the dumps following occupa-
tions by foreign governments and the 1991 war. But the country has not yet been
admitted to the European Union and E.U. investment hasn't kicked in. Except for the
action at Dolac market, shopping isn't very exciting in Zagreb, and serious bargain
hunters will be disappointed in the prices and what's available. The number of stores
that sell good-quality garb is increasing, but as a rule, clothing is either imported and
very expensive, or cheaply made and still expensive, depending on its country of ori-
gin. However, there are a few retailers worth checking out.
You're likely to need one of Cerove c ki's (Ilica 50; & 01/484-74-17) handmade
umbrellas if you stay in Zagreb more than a couple of days. Open 8:30am to 8pm
Monday to Friday; 8:30am to 3pm Saturday; closed Sunday. Marks and Spencer
(Nova Ves 11; & 01/468-61-99) in Kaptol Center specializes in traditional style and
conservative casual wear. Hours are 9am to 9pm Monday to Saturday; closed Sunday.
Also at King Cross shopping mall in Jankomir. Algoritam (Gajeva 1; & 01/
481-86-72). has a large selection of English-language books and magazines as well as
reading materials in other languages. Hours are 8am to 9pm Monday to Friday, 8am
to 3pm Saturday; closed Sunday. Muller fills two floors with everything from high-
end French perfume to German-made rubbing liniment and a line of packaged health
foods and juices. Tax-free option for purchases over 300kn ($60/£27). Hours are 8am
to 8pm Monday to Friday, 8am to 3pm Saturday. Closed Sunday (Trg Jela c a 5 a 8;
& 01/489-31-50 ). Dalmatian ham, prosciutto, pa s ki sir (distinctive cheese made on
the island of Pag), and olive oil and wine from Istria and other parts of Croatia are
sold At Pr s ut Galerija (Vla s ka 7; & 01/481-61-29). Hours are 8am to 8pm Monday
to Friday, 8am to 2pm Saturday; closed Sunday. Lazer Rok Lumezi (Tkal c i 5 eva 53;
& 01/481-40-30) likes to collaborate with his customers on designs so he can match
his jewelry creations to the personality of the person who will wear them. Hours are
9am to 8pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 3pm Saturday; closed Sunday. The branch of
Turbo Lima z (Ljudevita Gaja 9a; & 01/481-15-48) in Zagreb is fine for picking up
something to amuse the kids. Think Toys “R” Us, only smaller. Hours are 8am to 8pm
Monday to Friday, 8am to 3pm Saturday; closed Sunday.
SHOPPING MALLS
Croatians love to shop, and large, Western-style malls are springing up all over
Zagreb. Kaptol Center on Nova Ves in Gornji Grad houses upscale retailers; a mul-
tiplex cinema; and an assortment of cafes, restaurants, and bars. Importanne runs
two malls, one under the park across the street from the main train station, and
another at Iblerov Trg just west of the center. Branimir Center on Branimir just east
of the train station also has a multiplex and several restaurants, in addition to shops