Dear citizens of Zagreb, dear guests!

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and your loved ones a happy New Year, health and happiness, good cheer aplenty, laughter and love throughout 2018!

I would also like to wish the same to our citizens and thank them for taking an active part in voting on the European Best Destinations website and for being the very reason why Zagreb for the third year in a row has won the title of best Christmas destination in Europe, leaving behind cities which have been well-known for years as Advent travel destinations. You still have the chance to visit the Christmas events which end in the second week of January. During Advent Zagreb lives in a special atmosphere and during those days on many of the city's streets and squares you can enjoy traditional delicacies in the open air and themed events which take you back to times past.

After a year’s break, to the great joy of fans and competitors alike, the Snow Queen Trophy is being held on Zagreb’s Sljeme peak again. The closeness of the capital, the tip-top organisation and the unique atmosphere have made the Audi FIS Ski World Cup, the “Snow Queen Trophy”, a competition which is a much-loved destination for the world’s top skiers. This prestigious sporting event which draws the best slalom skiers brings together two Audi FIS World Cup races. I invite you to come again, the more the merrier, and help us to justify our reputation as the loudest and jolliest hosts.

In January you can enjoy the 65^th Zagreb Festival. The Zagreb Festival is the oldest festival of popular music in this part of Europe, and it has been held every year since 1953. The Zagreb Festival in the 21^st century still has an audience and artists who wish to continue the valuable tradition of popular music, so every winter this is an unmissable event for music lovers.

I invite you to have a merry and active January and not to miss the musical, cultural and sporting events we have prepared for you.

Sincerely yours,

Mayor of the City of Zagreb,

Milan Bandić