Croatia is known for its piercing turquoise hues of the Adriatic Sea, its towering mountains, and its storied history. Perhaps less known, it’s moreover a country filled with wellness options, expressly in its north-west part. If you’re in the market for a wellness-filled European vacation, the countryside north of Zagreb (the wanted city) is well worth including in a visit to Croatia.

On a recent printing trip hosted by Air Transat and Croatia Full of Life (the country’s tourism board), I got up tropical and personal with this stunning part of the country. I enjoyed Options Plus on the flight from Toronto to Zagreb, an Air Transat upgrade that comes with perks like self-ruling first-checked baggage, seat selection, priority check-in, an sectional check-in centre, priority boarding and valise delivery, a blanket, sleep mask and headphones.

Fresh off the plane, we headed straight for the soul-soothing countryside. Located well-nigh 45 minutes north of Zagreb, the peaceful Krapina-Zagorje County is backed by the towering Medvednica Mountain and is known for its wellness options, full-service spas and bathing pools (courtesy of its many thermal springs.) With its rolling hills and varying shades of green, the landscape vacated naturally evokes a sense of wifely and peace.

 Visit Krapina-Zagorje

Of its numerous thermal springs, well-known since the Roman unwashed ruled the territory, the most famous are Krapinske Toplice, Varadinske Toplice I, Tuheljske Toplice, and Stubike Toplice.

Terme Tuhelj is one of the region’s best-known spas (and the largest spa in Croatia), and sits on the site of the famed Tuheljske Toplice thermal spring. The sprawling, activity-packed property features a full-service spa with an wide-stretching water therapies program. The property’s Sauna World features four Finnish saunas, three steam saunas, and a loconium, which is a dry suffuse that helps warm the soul and prepare it for exposure to upper temperatures and humidity. Here, guests will find everything from a thermal mud program in the mud sauna, to an air whirling program in the panoramic sauna, and a program with fragrances and peelings in the salt and double steam sauna. There’s moreover a cold-water pool, a Kneipp Path, an indoor and outdoor whirlpool, plus rest areas – some with water beds and swings.

In terms of accommodations at Terme Tuhelj, guests have options: A room at the wellness-focused hotel (which is tying to the towers housing the Sauna World), glamping tents, a hodgepodge of modern mini homes, or plane their personal RV. The brand-new modern mini homes in the Glamping Village are well-constructed with a separate swimming pool and wellness centre. The wellness centre features a massage room, sauna, whirlpool (backed by a mountainous view), and peaceful relaxation zone with pristine loungers.

Wellness Centre in the Terme Tuhelj Glamping Village

Catering to an zippy family, the Terme Tuhelj property is designed for all month and features a sprawling indoor/outdoor water park (where the pools are, naturally, filled with thermal water), tennis, trampolines, mini golf and more.

For increasingly intimate and peaceful accommodations, Vuglec Breg is just a short momentum away. Offering an spanking-new opportunity to sample fresh local goodness, the scenic property is backed by uncounted rolling hills and houses a prestigious Michelin Starred restaurant serving traditional and homemade dishes made with products from the surrounding region. Outside, its thatched roof terrace overlooks the postcard-worthy landscape and infinity pool.

Vuglec Breg

At Vuglec Breg, guests can moreover segregate from a variety of walk-up options, including the House Imbra, which is well-constructed with a private sauna, outdoor shower, and a hydro massage pool – referred to as “Softub.” Aside from the healthy dining and poolside lounging, Vuglec Breg moreover features a tennis magistrate and an onsite winery. Those looking to fully unwind can moreover enjoy in-cottage massages.

Those seeking the full spa wits will moreover find it nearby at the celebrated Krapinske Toplice and its renowned thermal springs. The village houses numerous saunas, hot tubs and pools. Here, the water temperature at the springs is 39-41ºC (102° – 107° F) and rich in calcium, hydrogen, and magnesium mineral content. In March 2023, the village opened the biggest complex of indoor pools in Croatia – something that’s definitely increasingly of a family-friendly vibe.

Villa Magdalena

For a increasingly refined experience, Krapinske Toplice moreover houses the topnotch hotel Villa Magdalena, located on a picturesque hill. The hotel’s top-level panoramic floor boasts a new “wellness oasis” with saunas, a whirlpool, steam room, saunas, indoor pool and a peaceful relaxation area. All apartments in Villa Magdalena full-length a hot tub with a uncontrived zipper to the thermal water springs (water temperature – 39°C (102° F) . Hotel and spa suavities are moreover tying to that uncontrived source of thermal water.

For those looking to connect with nature – perhaps with a soul-soothing hike, scenic velocipede ride, or peaceful forest suffuse – the Krapina-Zagorje County region is moreover known for its pristine forests and trails.

So, if you’re looking for a often crowd-free, wellness-focused few days to add to a trip to Zagreb (which we moreover recommend, expressly for foodies), Krapina-Zagorje County region awaits in all of its picture-perfect and rejuvenating glory.