Welcome to Zagreb and Mali Mrak, traveler! Please read the following lines & the reviews, to see what you can expect here and whether this hostel is the right place for you :)
The house is a small, cosy place where we have other things in mind than the usual hostel routines -
we especially like to offer hospitality to people who want more than just a drinking spree (we dislike pub crawls and similar things, instead we rather tend to invite you for a lunch and talk, a glass of good wine, tea or whatever is at hand) - what we prefer here is: simplicity, honesty, spontaneity, friendship, talks & exchange of ideas, to see who you are and what you do, arts & music, science and philosophy, good food & cooking; etc . It's low season now, that means a lot of time for cooking, nice evenings in our beloved common room.
There's also free yoga sessions if you want and let me know on time, certified massage by Anna (our neighbor) for an excellent price; you can see and experience Zagreb and Croatia from a different perspective with us- we'll show you the dots, you connect them. And the house is also perfect if you just want to have a quiet time on your own, bothered by no one.
The house is located 15 min. by tram from the center, in a nice, peaceful neighborhood.
Whatever you prefer to do, you're most welcome, not just as a guest - as long as you respect the house and the people in and around it, you’ll have all our knowledge and resources at your disposal. If you are unable to do that, you'll be gently asked to leave. Also, if you can and feel like it, feel free to contribute to/upgrade the house in a specific way - we love that (especially the art section has grown in the meantime) - create something and in return you can get a discount or a free stay etc. You certainly wouldn't be the first, and we are known to support travelers in many ways than just giving convenient bed prices. Work for stay & food available - i am in need of a very precise hand with the brush - there's a lot of drawings that have to be filled. It is very precise, patient work. Contact me if you are interested!
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Other stuff that happens here: free coffee (Turkish, not that instant scrap:)) & tea from a local monastery (don't be afraid to ask in case we forget, happens sometimes), dinners with whoever wants to participate, free laundry and Wi-fi; if you're into hiking, let us know, we'll show you around.
You can have free breakfast here - muesli & coffee or tea, but no one'll make it for you, help yourself :) There's also a special breakfast available - goat cheese w. garlic & spices, home made bread, cream & marmelade, boiled egg, coffee & tea, piece of fruit. All products are local, certified & top quality. Ask at reception, one day in advance, as all ingredients have to be delivered fresh.
***Special note to gamers: Numenera & Planescape sessions available, ask at reception! ***
People who are interested in local culture are most welcome to join me on a market day (there's real markets here with very good and cheap food to be found, beats the supermarkets on all levels. It's one of the genuine local things to experience) – it’s an old custom and i love going there; a jaunt to the city & its special places, and so on, you get the basic idea.
Also, we can give you invaluable insider advice not only on Zagreb and Croatia, but for other countries in the Balkan area, don't hesitate to ask us, some of us have traveled enough around here to know a thing or two. I probably forgot to mention some other useful things, but you'll discover for yourself that we can be quite the bag of plenty.
I've got to go now, there's stuff to do :). See you, igor.
PLEASE NOTE:
The City Tax (7kn per person per night or cca. 1€) is not included in the room price you book online. We have to charge it in any case, and since many wonder what that is, here goes: it's not something any hostel makes up, it's just that - a city tax that goes to the state of Croatia, a way to make money. We must charge it, and keep it separately because of account keeping, so we rather choose not to incorporate it into the bed price (that means: raising that same price for said amount and proclaim 'no additional tax') and charge it separately. Thank you for understanding!