If you ask Google what is a virtual tour you may be confused, as the most common answer will be:” a virtual tour is a simulation of an existing location, usually composed of a sequence of videos or still images that can be viewed online.”. Doesn’t seem appealing, I know! But bear with me, because our new normal is creating a totally new and exciting tourist product. I suggest we learn a bit more about it. Virtual tours can be called online experiences or even digital tours. In a nutshell, they are divided in the following categories: pre-recorded tours semi-immersive tours live tours from home with your host live walking tours 360 tours For a pre-recorded tour a guest pays and then the recorded tour is subsequently shared. No surprises here, and it’s suitable for people who like to play it safe. Semi-immersive tours require a certain level of engagement from the guests. In example: Guests prepare a typical traditional meal of a destination, while virtually supervised and instructed by the local host. If you book a live tour from home with your host, the host will share various stories, images, videos from home and will not be on the streets of the city you are virtually visiting. Both you and your host are safe and sound in your own homes. If we are talking about „virtual live walking tour“, we are not talking about a simulation of an existing location. And if you ask me, this is an immersive experience you want to take on. It’s a real time online experience you can enjoy no matter where you are in the world. All from the comfort of your home! „Live“ means that you get the chance to see the sights, hidden gems and local people in real time. Your tour guide will be broadcasting live from the streets and squares of the city you are visiting online and share all the ins and outs. This is the best look and feel that you can get of the destination, while actually not visiting it in person. And unlike the pre-recorded tours, you can have a live exchange with your guide who will answer your questions on the spot. Last, but not least we have the 360° tour. A good example is The Met 360° Project. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York created the tour using spherical 360° technology, it allows viewers to explore The Met from the home. More and more different kinds of live virtual tours can be found each day like: food tours, cooking classes, history tours, webinars with experts, walking tours. Virtual live tours give a different approach from standard/traditional tours like day trips accompanied with a guide. They started to develop fast due to Covid 19 pandemic and local tour operators/suppliers have been implementing and improving them daily. Virtual tours are not a substitute for traditional tours as many people think, but they are developing as a new product. I would argue that they have great potential to become a new way for guests to plan their trips, or just to learn more about the destination that is of their interest. Virtual travel has never been more convenient. To enjoy live tours, a platform such as Zoom or similar is needed. It enables live broadcast and interaction between the guide and the guests. 4 reasons why you should book Virtual Live Walking Tour: You get a chance to see the top sights, hidden gems and people in a real time accompanied by a local tour guide who knows the ins and outs, Enjoy the tour from the comfort of your home, no packing or travel time needed, The tour can be a great insight and a warm up before you visit the destination, Affordable way to find out more about destination. If you would like to experience a virtual live walking tour, we encourage you to Book Zagreb Virtual Live Walking Tour.

Story of the Upper Town dates back to medieval times when in 1242 King Bela IV gave a royal charter to the citizens proclaiming this part of Zagreb as a free royal city. When a king gives you something, you have to give him something in return. That’s the way the game is played. The most important thing the citizens needed to do is the fortification of the city. They managed to round up the town with defensive walls and towers. Some of the remnants of those times are still present and at your disposal to conquer them with your camera. Wander the streets of this charming part of Zagreb. What should you see in the Upper Town, you ask yourself? These are the top sights not to be missed! Lotrscak tower with the Gric cannon One of the coolest traditions of Zagreb is firing a cannon shot exactly at midday! And I warn you in advance, it is not choreographed for tourists and it is extremely loud. There are numerous reasons why the cannon is blasting off, such as to adjust your watch and know the exact time or to scare away the pigeons and uninformed travelers. The only thing you should know is: do not run for shelter. Only small pieces of paper get out of the cannon. If you need a baller wake up call, just claim you ground in front of the tower at 11:59 any day of the week! Be intrepid, you will love it. Saint Mark’s square If you want to stumble upon our prime minister or some of the politicians, simply leisurely stroll on Saint Mark’s square. Our parliament house, government house and constitutional court are based here. The focal point of the square is the Saint Mark’s church. This picturesque church with colorful rooftop will awaken your curiosity. It is one of the most frequently sent postcards from Zagreb. While walking around do not miss the old gas lamps from 19th century that are to this day still hand lit every night. Stone gate What used to be one of the entrances to medieval Zagreb now is a shrine to Virgin Mary of the Stone gate, the patron saint of the city. To fully understand the story we have to go back in time to 18th century when there was a big fire. Everything went to flames except the painting depicting Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus. Since it remained intact by the fire, the citizens founded it as a miraculous painting. Nowadays it is housed in a beautiful baroque chapel within the Stone gate. Museums of the Upper town Some of the best museums of Zagreb are here. Even if you are a museum aficionado with peculiar taste you will find something of your interest. If you want a quirky museum go to the Museum of Broken relationships. For the artistic soles, stumble upon the Mestrovic atelier where you can admire sculptures from our top notch artist Ivan Mestrovic. History buffs, go to the Zagreb City Museum. Most of them are located in palaces which will boost your overall experience. For the overachievers you have an open air museum of the Upper town. A place designated for street art with beautiful murals that share many stories. If you are a first time visitor in Zagreb, do not skip the Upper Town. This is the essence of the city. To reach it you can use some of the stairs that lead you up. In this case scenario you can skip the gym for the day. Wiser people opt for the option of the shortest funicular in the world. Hop on and feel some of the Zagreb’s old charm. Enjoy the vistas from the Strossmayer promenade and balance your thoughts in this quaint place. Visit Upper Town of Zagreb, the nucleus of the city! More info about the ongoing events find here!