(Photo credit: Stipe Boščić)
As part of the “100 Castles of Northern Croatia” project, six international travel influencers and content creators have explored the rich cultural, historical and eno-gastronomic offer of Northern Croatia, bringing the region’s stories to a global audience.
The itinerary covered the regions of Međimurje, Varaždin County and Hrvatsko Zagorje.
The programme was guided by local influencer and photographer Domagoj Sever, who hails from the region and provided an authentic, insider perspective.
Rather than a conventional sightseeing tour, the press trip was designed as an immersive journey through stories, people, flavours and hidden corners of Northern Croatia.
The press trip was attended by foreign influencers and content creators who represent Croatia to an international audience, including Wojtek Tyluś from the CroLove.pl platform, Mario Schafzahl, Fernanda Spolaor / Mauka Travels, Norbert Lepsik, Inspired by Croatia, and Bojana Matković / Život lutalice.
(Photo credit: Stipe Boščić)
Together, they reach more than 1.5 million followers on social media, giving the “100 Castles of Northern Croatia” project significant international visibility among audiences interested in travel, culture, gastronomy and authentic local experiences.
The initiative is designed not only to highlight individual landmarks but to build a cohesive cultural tourism narrative.
A dedicated promotional video further showcases the region’s castle heritage and visual identity:
Through cinematic footage of castles, palaces and historic estates, the project underlines Northern Croatia’s strong potential as a cultural tourism and storytelling destination.
Over six days, the group visited some of the region’s most significant cultural and natural landmarks, including:
• Riznica Međimurja and Ekomuzej Međimurje malo
• Mlin na Muri
• Štrigova and Mađerkin breg
• Maruševec
• Klenovnik
• Trakošćan Castle
• Varaždin
• Varaždinske Toplice
• Grebengrad
• Dvor Veliki Tabor
• Kumrovec and the Muzej ‘Staro selo’ Kumrovec
• Bedekovčina Lakes
• Vuglec Breg
• Terme Tuhelj
• Krapina Neanderthal Museum
(Photo credit: Stipe Boščić)
The programme also included visits to cultural and historical landmarks such as local castles, viewpoints, museums, wine estates and traditional culinary experiences.
A key emphasis of the press trip was storytelling and connecting cultural heritage with authentic local experiences, from wine tastings and traditional cuisine to workshops, music performances, historical interpretation and meetings with local hosts.
According to participants, Northern Croatia offers a surprisingly rich and diverse tourism product that encourages longer stays and repeat visits.
(Photo credit: Stipe Boščić)
“There is always something new to discover”
Wojtek Tyluś highlighted the region’s depth and return potential: “I thought I already knew these regions well, but I was wrong. The tourism offer is so rich that any traveller can easily find enough content for a multi-day stay. Whether breaking up a coastal trip or planning a dedicated visit, people will return to discover even more fascinating places.”
He also praised the storytelling approach behind the castle-themed project, noting that linking multiple regions into one cohesive tourism product makes the experience more accessible for international visitors.
(Photo credit: Stipe Boščić)
Bojana Matković described the experience as a reminder of Croatia’s richness:
“This journey once again confirmed to me that Croatia is an inexhaustible source of natural beauty and cultural heritage. What impressed me most was the diversity, castles, fortresses, Roman heritage, thermal spas, ethnographic villages, traditions, gastronomy and exceptional hospitality.”
Fernanda Spolaor praised the modern presentation of attractions:
“I was impressed by the high quality of every attraction we visited. From small local museums to large castles, we were welcomed with 3D content, high-tech exhibitions and interactive elements. It is clear that tourism development is heading in the right direction.”
(Photo credit: Stipe Boščić)
Norbert Lepsik highlighted the visual appeal of Northern Croatia:
“Exploring Northern Croatia was a fantastic experience from a photographic perspective. Castles, historic architecture and picturesque landscapes offered endless compositions. The diversity of the region made the journey especially memorable.”
(Photo credit: Stipe Boščić)
Inspired by Croatia recalled one of the most memorable experiences in Mađarevo:
“The highlight was visiting Mađarevo, where a local folklore group welcomed us and showed us how to prepare pere, a traditional Zagorje dish baked in a bread oven. It was simple, warm and unforgettable.”
(Photo credit: Stipe Boščić)
The “100 Castles of Northern Croatia” project aims to promote not just individual attractions but a complete destination experience, combining history, landscapes, people, flavours and authentic encounters.
Through social media posts, photography, videos, stories and blogs, the influencers will introduce Northern Croatia to global audiences as an ideal destination for short breaks, weekend trips, cultural tourism and off-the-beaten-path exploration in continental Croatia.
(Photo credit: Stipe Boščić)
The press trip demonstrated that Međimurje, Varaždin County and Krapina-Zagorje County offer all the elements of a compelling international tourism story: castles and fortresses, rich history, outstanding gastronomy, wine experiences, natural beauty and welcoming local hosts.
(Photo credit: Stipe Boščić)
A tour of Krapina-Zagorje County, including Veliki Tabor, Kumrovec, Vuglec Breg, Terme Tuhelj, the Krapina Neanderthal Museum and Štruklijada, completes the story of northern Croatia as a destination that can offer an exceptionally diverse blend of history, culture, nature, gastronomy and authentic experiences in just a few days.
(Photo credit: Stipe Boščić)