Aura Rustica

Aura Rustica is a local travel agency and tour provider based in Stubičke Toplice, the spa town in Hrvatsko Zagorje, in northwestern Croatia, a short drive north of Zagreb. It organises guided tours, cultural excursions and experiences in Zagorje and the Zagreb area, and Aura Rustica’s programmes are among the small businesses that make it easier for visitors to see a region that is spread over many villages and hills.

Zagorje is one of Croatia’s regions that rewards guidance. Its attractions are scattered among small roads and villages, public transport is limited, and a good deal of the interest lies in stories and traditions that are not obvious from a signpost. A local guide can explain the history of the castles, the peasants’ revolt of 1573, the wine hills and the rural customs that survive, and can connect places that would otherwise be hard to combine in a day. Tours led by someone who knows the area can also include tastings, visits to family farms and meetings with artisans, which are the experiences that many visitors remember best.

The agency offers programmes in several languages, with city tours and excursions that cover the main sights of the region. Typical itineraries in Zagorje might include Trakošćan Castle, with its romantic park and lake, Veliki Tabor, a fortified medieval castle on a hill, the Neanderthal Museum in Krapina, the village of Kumrovec with its open-air ethnographic museum, and the national pilgrimage shrine at Marija Bistrica. Closer to the agency’s base, the area around Stubica is rich in history, with the Oršić Castle and the museum of the Peasants’ Revolt and the old Gubec linden tree. Excursions often include a meal of regional dishes such as štrukli, turkey with mlinci and cakes, and a glass of local wine.

Stubičke Toplice itself is known for its thermal spring and the spa that grew around it, and the town has a long tradition as a place for rest and treatment. Visitors can add a spa visit to a day of touring, and the Lojzekov Izvor Mountain Hut on the slopes of Medvednica is a pleasant destination for walkers. The agency’s tours can be tailored to families, couples and solo visitors, and programmes range from half-day outings to longer excursions.

Because details of programmes, prices and availability change with the season, contact the agency in advance to book and to ask about languages, group sizes and pickup points. Spring and autumn are the best seasons for touring, with mild weather and colour in the hills, while summer can be hot and winter quiet.

The agency suits travellers who prefer guided experiences, those with limited time and groups who want a local perspective on Zagorje.