Travel guide – croatia
croatia
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Overview
After more than a decade of civil and ethnic unrest, Croatia is once again emerging as an attractive tourist destination. With its magnificent coastline, 1,185 islands, islets and reefs, Roman ruins and picturesque medieval villages, it is fast becoming a rival to the magical Greek islands - alluring for lovers of fun, sun, local colour, great food and a little history.
After centuries of fighting for independence, and being sliced and diced geographically to suit political and ethnic divisions, Croatia has ended up arc-shaped. Its long Adriatic coastline forms the western leg, tapering to the unique ancient seaport of Dubrovnik in the south, while the land between the rivers Drava and Sava form the northern section. The capital, Zagreb, sits in-between.
The most prominent feature of Croatia's tourist industry is its Dalmatian coastline, which is indented with rocky cliffs, peninsulas and small inlets. Numerous good quality hotels and marinas have been resurrected or constructed in the past few years, and the Croatian province is once again beginning to enjoy a tourist boom reminiscent of its heyday in the 1930s. There is a special atmosphere to Croatian towns and villages, many of which are built on the sites of ancient Greek settlements dating from the 4th century BC. This, coupled with a welcoming and determined population, Mediterranean climate, scenic beauty and lush vegetation, is aiding Croatia's rise from the ashes of war into one of the world's tourist hotspots.
Regions and cities within Croatia...
Zagreb
Dubrovnik
Split
Climate
The coastal region enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild winters (minimum winter temperatures are around 4°C/39°F and summers average around 26°C/79°F). Inland a continental climate is predominant with hot summers and cold winters.
Health
No vaccinations are required, however there is a risk of tick-borne encephalitis for those travelling in forested areas or who consume unpasteurized dairy products. Typhoid and Hepatitis A vaccinations are also recommended. The bird flu virus was found in dead migratory swans in eastern Slavonia and stringent measures have been taken by the Croatian authorities to contain the virus. Travellers to Croatia are unlikely to be affected, but should avoid any contact with live birds and ensure poultry and egg dishes are well cooked. Hospitals and medical treatment are fairly good, with free emergency medical care available to UK citizens with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), though some medicines are in short supply in public facilities. Non-UK nationals are advised to invest in health insurance.
The basics
Time
Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 from last Saturday in March to end of October).
Electricity
Electrical current is 230 volts, 50Hz. European style round, two-pin plugs are standard.
Language
The official language is Croat.
Tipping
In tourist or upmarket restaurants a tip of 10% will be appreciated, but otherwise it is usual to round up the bill if the service has been good unless a service charge has already been added. Tour guides expect to be tipped. Most services receive a small tip by rounding up the bill.
Safety
Most visits to Croatia are trouble-free, and there is no particular threat of terrorism. Busy tourist areas are prone to petty theft. Outside the normal tourist routes travellers should be aware that unexploded mines may remain, particularly in Eastern Slavonia and the former Krajina.
Communications
The international access code for Croatia is +385. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Public phones take phone cards, which can be bought in post offices and hotels. GSM operators have active roaming agreements with most international networks. Internet cafes are available in the larger towns and cities.
Duty Free
Travellers to Croatia can enter the country with the following items without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco; 1 litre wine, or 1 litre spirits; 250ml of eau de cologne and one bottle of perfume. Regulations apply to firearms and radio instruments. No item of archaeological, historical, ethnographic, artistic, cultural or scientific value may leave the country without a license issued by the appropriate authorities.
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