Zagreb is one of those places that’s seen it all, foreign invasions stretching back into antiquity, Habsburg glory days, Communist Yugoslavia, the trauma and liberation from the break-up of the former and an exciting, albeit incomplete, renewal. Today the city, still giddy from Croatia’s unexpected World Cup performance, is an intriguing place to visit. You can take in avant-garde artwork, rich historical treasures, serene natural settings and glorious architecture during the day and then enjoy a beer in a raucous craft brewery or sip the country’s marvelous cherry brandy in a smart hotel lobby at night. Many travelers to this country head directly for the coast but if you join them, you’ll really be missing out.