Bus from KARLOVAC to SOKOBANJA

Karlovac, situated 55km southwest from Zagreb, is the best place in Croatia for those who look for a special rafting and kayaking adventure, provided by the confluence of four rivers: the Kupa, Mreznica, Korana and Dobra rivers. Karlovac canbe easily reached by bus and can turn out to be a nice day trip for those staying in Zagreb.

What makes Karlovac unique is its star-shaped design. It is necessary to point out that, while not many towns can brag about the knowledge of the exact date of its founding, as well as the fact that they were a town from their very establishment, Karlovac is one of them. The construction of Karlovac  began in 1579, or to be precise, 13 July 1579 , and the ideas to make it a "Renaissance town", and for that reason, a special attentionwas given to its beauty and harmony, but also to serve as a defense against Turkish invaders. This old town in the shape of a six-pointed staris comprised of 24 equally divided blocks.

Besides wandering the streets and rafting the rivers, Karlovac has  a lot more to offer. For, instance, Korana river with Foginovo beach is a famous tourist attraction, as well as bathing spot known for its medicinal properties of the pristine waters of the river.

The new and exciting Karlovac freshwater aquarium, Aquatika, was designedin sucha manner as to allow its visitors to follow a series of ramps that recall a river's flow. Besides the specimens from Karlovac’s rivers, the museum also exibits astounding flora and fauna from all over Croatia, with background effects such as evocative lighting and water sounds.

Main town square -Josip ban Jelačić square: The planning of the city was carefully done and the streets within the walls of the city are arranged at right angles. After the plague epidemic in 1691, a votive column (the Plague Pillar), with a statue of the Madonna on top of it, was built on the main town square. A well, ornamented with allegorical representations of the town’s rivers, was built in the geometrical centre of the Star and square in 1869 on the location of a baroque fountain. 

The Vrbanić gardens: The gardens were designed as an open-style botanical garden. Named after the Mayor Josip Vrbanić, the gardens bear a resemblance to English and French parks and contain rare trees and plants. Convenienty located in the southeastern part of the town, between the Korana river and the Karlovac ''Star" (Zvijezda), is a favorite place of tourists who like to unwind after a long stroll around Karlovac.

Dubovac Castle: The Old Town of Dubovac, situated on a hill with a beautiful panoramic view over the city, is regarded as one of the best preserved, as well as most captivating architectural monuments of the feudal age. On the site of the present-dayfort, there are still traces of an Early Stone Age settlement, while the castle was built at the end of the 12th or beginning of the 13th century. During the tours around the castle, spectators can enjoy the exibition of history that made Karlovac what it is today. In the vicinity of the castle is one of the oldest and most beautiful town shrines, the Early Baroque church of the Blessed Virgin Mary of the Snows.

The Church of The Holy Trinity, built in the same timeas the fortress, is the oldest building in Karlovac, while  monastery was built in the 17th century. They are situated on the main square (Ban Jelačić Square). The whole complex is baroque and has a rich inventory. 

Beside its rich history, Karlovac and its surroundings offer interesting hiking tours in its nearby forests, especially the Kozjača trail, while during summer months visitors can enjoy a variety of events, such as the Beer fest and numerous fairs.

Sokobanja is located in southeastern Serbia, at an altitude of 400 meters in the basin between the Rtanja Mountains (1560m) and Ozren (1174m).

Sokobanja (9000 inhabitants) is the economic, health, cultural and tourist center of the municipality that covers an area of ​​525 km2, in which 25 inhabited places live about 20,000 inhabitants.

The basic branch of the economy is tourism with agriculture and mining. Thanks to the good traffic connections in Sokobanja, it arrives asphalt, quickly and easily from every direction.

Since ancient times known as a tourist destination, Sokobanja has the basic elements for the formation of a diverse tourist offer: thermomineral waters, ideal altitude of 400m, favorable climate, unspoiled nature that surrounds, rich cultural heritage ....

Sokobanja to its visitors throughout the year and a variety of cultural and entertainment contents and events. The days spent in Sokobanja remain permanently in an unforgettable memory, so the tourists visit, revealing always new interesting details in it. Today Sokobanja is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Serbia.

Treatment in Sokobanja is carried out, based on the indicated indications, by bathing in warm, slightly radioactive water and inhalation, according to the instructions and under the supervision of a physician. Sokobanja air is itself a cure for asthma sufferers.

Thermal sources Sokobanja are among the most active in this part of Europe. In total, there are six major, whose water temperature ranges from 28-45 degrees Celsius. Since the outbreak of radioactive gases in the entire territory of Banja is large, each visitor is exposed to mild inhalation, which very usefully affects the respiratory organs and the whole organism.

The area of ​​Sokobanja is rich in valuable cultural and historical monuments, churches and monasteries: the medieval town of Sokograd, the remains of Vrmdanski grad, the Turkish Amam (XV century), the restaurant "Milošev konak", the building of the administration of the Principality of Serbia (XIX century) Church of the Mother of God in the center of Sokobanja, the Church of the Birth of the Virgin on Lepterija, the monastery Jermenčić (XIV century) at Ozren, the Church of the Dormition of the Virgin in Jošanica (XI century), the church of the Fire of Mary in Gradašnica, the church of St. Eli in Istoces (XIX century ), the memorial fountains of Prince Miloš Obrenović, Hajduk Veljko Petrović and Ljube Didić.

Hunting grounds in the Sokobanja area are the right place for the most interesting adventure! In accordance with the prescribed law and according to the hunting calendar for game in the protection regime, that is, the pricelist brought by the Board of the Hunting Association of Serbia, you can try hunting in these terrains: rabbit, field partridge, wild boar, forest snail, pheasant, wild duck , fox, pigeon mug, quail, thistle, gututku, then roe deer and deer. No less attractive is hunting game outside the protection regime: wolf, wild cat, cancer and foxes.