About Croatia
Located in the heart of Europe on the beautiful Adriatic coast bordering Italy, Slovenia and Hungary. It is a country of more than 1,185 islands, islets and reefs, most uninhabited and preserved, perfect for eco-tourism. In 1999, Croatia won three international awards for the cleanest waters in the Mediterranean. Major cruise lines include it in their itineraries. Among them are Costa, Cunard, Crystal, Hapagg Lloyd, Peter Deilmann, Princess, Radisson, Seabourn, Silversea, Swan Hellenic and Windstar.
English is widely spoken. Numerous first-class and deluxe hotels, as well as quaint bed and breakfast type accommodations, are available. Some of the best places to stay are the new chic and exclusive “boutique” hotels opening up throughout Croatia.
Various programs to Croatia include escorted tours, religious pilgrimages, eco-tourism packages, city and hotel packages, special-interest tours and adventure programs (hiking, biking, canoeing, ballooning, fishing, swimming).
As one of the most significant travel destinations in the Mediterranean, Croatia has a long-standing tourist tradition. The advantages of the tourist product are its preserved natural wealth and environment, cultural and historical heritage, mild Mediterranean climate, the close proximity of European markets, and the availability of active holidays in environmentally protected destinations.
In terms of climate, the country combines elements of the Mediterranean and Central Europe.
Geographically, it stretches from the Pannonian Plain, the Danube region, and woody and hilly areas to real peaks and mountains chains descending to and protecting the unique and unforgettable Adriatic coast.
Croatia’s tourist offer is diverse and rich, including nautical tourism, diving, congress, environmental, rural, cultural, religious, adventure, hunting and fishing tourism, as well as health and wellness tourism, cruises on motor sailing ships and excursion boats.
Each Croatian tourist region develops its distinctive offer in line with the global trends and its own tradition: Istria, Kvarner, Zadar, Šibenik, Split, Dubrovnik, Zagreb as the capital city, Lika and Karlovac, Central Croatia and Slavonia.
Croatia is a country of contrasts, both natural and historical/cultural. This is another reason for you to visit and spend an unforgettable holiday in the Mediterranean as it once was
Some of the best-known resort towns along the Dalmatian coast are Dubrovnik, Split, Sibenik and Trogir, all of them listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Northern Adriatic resort of Opatija, known for its long tradition in hospitality, was a popular destination among European nobility. The Millennium, a 5-star hotel, was recently opened there. Almost 10 per cent of the country is protected as part of a national park or preserve. The best known National Park in Croatia, Plitvice Lakes, is listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Beyond its natural beauty, the country has been a centre of culture for thousands of years.
Facts about Croatia:
Zagreb is the capital and a centre of arts and culture with its numerous museums and galleries hosting world-renowned exhibits and festivals. The “Successful Meetings Magazine” listed Zagreb as one of the Top 10 international destinations for conventions and meetings, and Conde Nast Traveler also listed Zagreb as one of Europe’s 10 “reborn cities”. Besides its history and culture, Zagreb offers meeting and convention venues and accommodations in world-class hotels like the Sheraton, Opera, Esplanade, the Arcotel Allegra and others.
Getting to Croatia is simple, whether you travel by air, train, ferries or car. All major US and European carriers connect with Croatia Airlines through European gateways. The Croatian ferry system connects the Adriatic islands to the mainland as well as to Italy.
Croatia Tourist Offices – click for Info and listing.
Weather in Croatia – info page about current weather conditions.
Geographical position: Croatia extends from the foothills of the Julian Alps in the north-west and the Pannonian Plain in the east, over the Dinara mountain range in its central region, to the Adriatic coast in the south. Area of Croatia is 56,542 km2, with an additional 31,067 km2 of territorial waters.
Adriatic Sea – Croatian Adriatic – The Adriatic Sea is situated largely between the eastern coast of Italy and Croatia. Read about Croatian Coast
Population in Croatia is 4.5 million
The capital of Croatia is Zagreb (780 thousand inhabitants) – the administrative, cultural, academic and communication centre of the country).
Croatian coast has a length of 5,835 km – including 4,058 km of island, islet and reef coastline. There are 1,185 islands in Croatia. The largest islands are Krk and Cres. There are 67 inhabited islands.
The climate in Croatia: Northern Croatia has a continental climate; Central Croatia has a semi-highland and highland climate, while the Croatian coast has a Mediterranean climate. Winter temperatures range from -1 to 30°C in the continental region, -5 to 0°C in the mountain region and 5 to 10°C in the coastal region. Summer temperatures range from 22 to 26°C in the continental region, 15 to 20°C in the mountain region and 26 to 30°C in the coastal region.
The population of Croatia – The majority of the population are Croats. National minorities include Serbs, Moslems, Slovenes, Italians, Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, and others.
The official language in Croatia is Croatian language and Latin alphabet.
Religions in Croatia – The majority of the population are Roman Catholics, and in addition, there are a number of those of Orthodox faith, as well as Muslims, and Christians of other denominations.
Currency in Croatia is Kuna (1 Kuna = 100 Lipa). There are 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 Lipa coins, 1, 2, 5 and 25 Kuna coins and 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500 and 1,000 Kuna banknotes – click for more info and some images
Exchange Rates: foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, exchange offices, post offices and at most tourist agencies, hotels and camping grounds. Banking hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, banks are open until 1 p.m. In the larger cities, some banks are also open on Sundays.
Electricity in Croatia: Voltage of city power grid – 220V, frequency 50HZ
Water: Tap water is drinkable throughout Croatia.
The telephone code for Croatia is +385.
Time zone: GMT plus one hour in winter and GMT plus two in summer.
Travel documentation: Passport or some other internationally recognized identification document. Tourists may remain in Croatia for up to three months.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs: http://www.mfa.hr/
Customs regulations of the Republic of Croatia are in line with the standards of European Union countries. Foreign currency is freely brought in and taken out of the country (up to a value of 3.000 euros); up to a value of 15.000 kN for domestic currency. More expensive professional and technical equipment should be registered at the border. Dogs and cats, accompanied by their owner, need to have an International certificate from a registered veterinarian stating that at least 15 days and not more than six months have passed since their vaccination against rabies. Tax refund for goods purchased in Croatia over 500 kunas in value with a validated “Tax check” at departure from the country. Information: Republic of Croatia Customs Administration (tel 01 6102 333);
Web page for Croatia Custom office : www.carina.hr
Medical service:
There are hospitals and clinics in all larger cities and first aid clinics and pharmacies in all places. Foreign tourists do not pay for medical services if the Health Care Convention was signed between Croatia and the country they come from. Expenses of health services provided to persons coming from the countries with which the Health Care Convention was not signed are charged directly to users according to the price list. For patients whose lives are in danger, there is emergency transport by air(helicopter) or sea (speedboat).
There is a network of veterinary clinics and centre in Croatia. Information: www.veterinarstvo.hr
Working hours:
Shops and department stores are open between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., or to 3 p.m. A smaller number of stores close between noon and 4 p.m. Many stores are also open on Sundays, especially in the summer, and a smaller number in the larger cities are open 24 hours a day. Public services and companies usually work from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. from Monday to Friday.
Croatian National Holidays :
Most of the businesses, as well as shops and offices, are closed in Croatia on the following Croatian National Holidays:
1 January: New Year’s Day
6 January: Epiphany
Easter Monday: March or April – check current calendar
1 May: International Labour Day
10 June: Corpus Christi
22 June: Day of Antifascist Resistance
25 June: Croatian Statehood Day
5 August: Croatian Victory Day
15 August: Assumption
8 October: Croatian Independence Day
1 November: All Saints’ Day
25 & 26 December : Christmas
Post and Telecommunications: Post Offices are open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and on Saturdays until 1 p.m. There are Post Offices in the larger cities which are open until 10 p.m. in the summer. Postage stamps are sold in Post Offices and at newsstands. Public telephones can be used only with phone cards, which can be purchased in Post Offices and at newsstands, in hotels and tourist complexes.
Fire prevention: Ensure that you have done everything to prevent a fire! Do not throw lit or flammable objects into the environment! If you see a fire, please inform others in your proximity; report it immediately on the telephone number – 93; try to extinguish the fire till the fire-fighters arrive and in such a manner so as not to endanger yourself or others! Take notice of signs forbidding the lighting of fires! Take care that your parked vehicle does not obstruct accesses to the fire or roads!
Important telephone numbers: International dialing prefix for Croatia: 385 Ambulance 94 Fire-service 93 Police 92 Assistance on the roads 987; 987@hak.hr (If you are calling from outside of Croatia or using a mobile phone dial +3851 987) General information 981 Information about local and district telephone numbers 988 Information about International telephone numbers 902 Weather forecast and road conditions 060 520 520 Croatia’s auto club (HAK) 01 4640 800; www.hak.hr
Radio news in foreign languages during the tourist season: On Program 2 of Croatian radio, along with the regular news in Croatian, the Croatian Auto Club (HAK) will give traffic reports in English, German and Italian along with nautical news a number of times throughout the day. Other than on Program 2 of Croatian radio, alternating news and traffic reports will be emitted every full hour from the following studios: Program 3 of Bavarian Radio, Program 3 of Austrian radio, RAI Uno, British Virgin radio and Chezch radio. Throughout the day nautical news will be emitted in English and Croatian
Travel to Croatia Holiday Reviews and Links to Articles:
- Isles of light: Croatia’s Dalmatian coast – The Independent, August 2009
- Go with the flow – The Irish Times, July 2009
- Opatija: Croatia’s lusty riviera town – The Times, June 2009
- Jewels of the Adriatic – your for the price of a ferry ticket – The Observer, June 2009
- City slicker: Split – The Independent, June 2009
- How Croatia splashed onto the music festival map – The Observer, May 2009
- Mediterranean Island Guide: Croatia – The Telegraph, April 2009
- Sailing in Croatia: 1001 Dalmatians – The Telegraph, April 2009
- Croatia: canoeing with teenagers – The Telegraph, January 2009
- Find a budget base in Croatia – The Independent, January 2009
- Cycling Croatia, the Adriatic’s jewel – The Daily Telegraph, December 2008
- A touch of the Riviera in Croatia – (Hvar Island) The Independent, August 2008
- 48 hours in Dubrovnik – The Independent, July 2008
- Dalmatian dreams come true – Irish Times, July 2008
- Croatia is just the place to learn the ropes – The Independent, June 2008
- All at sea on Croatia’s coast – The Independent, July 2007
- Island hopping in Croatia – The Guardian, May 2008
- Five best Croatian islands – The Guardian, April 2008
- The best of Croatia in 2008 – The Times, January 2008
- All at sea on Croatia’s coast – The Independent, July 2007
- Hvar,Croatia’s glam makeover – The Guardian, July 2007
- The Vulture Man of Croatia -The Times, June 2007
- RewritingIstria – The Guardian, November 2006
- What Lies Beneath (Vis Island) – The Independent, August 2006
- Croatia’s Coastline: on the long and winding road – The Independent, June 2006
- Croat of many colours – The Guardian, April 2006
- Central Europe by way of the Med – The Times, March 2006
- Summer in Croatia – The Sunday Times, February 2006
- One hour from Dubrovnik – The Independent, February 2006
- Istria: For Foodies the Next Tuscany – The New York Times, January 2006
- In Croatia, a new Riviera beckons – The New York Times, July 2005
- New horizons – The Guardian, June 2005
- Croatia gets that Riviera touch – The Independent,
May 2005 - Going to Zagreb – The New York Times ,May 2005
- VisFizz – The Guardian, April 2005
- The complete guide to Istria – The Independent, April 2005
- Where streets are paved with marble-The Observer, August 2004
- Wonderwall– The Guardian, April 2004