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useful info
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Visas
UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and USA passport holders don’t require a visa for a stay of less than 90 days. Please click here for further info.
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Voltage
Standard voltage is 220V AC, 50 Hz. Sockets require European plug with a small diameter prong (two round pins). Pack a power adaptor. |
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Health
Tetanus, Polio, Typhoid, Hepatitis A booster vaccinations are recommended. No malarial risk exists. It is recommended that you be vaccinated for Tetanus and Polio, if you haven’t had a booster in the last ten years. The risk of food and waterborne diseases is low, but vaccinations for Typhoid and Hepatitis A are still recommended.
If planning on visiting mountainous/forested regions, check with your healthcare professional regarding the possibility of requiring a vaccination for tick-borne encephalitis.
Mains water is normally chlorinated, and whilst relatively safe, may cause mild abdominal upsets. It is advisable to purchase bottled water for drinking and performing ablutions. Milk is pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are generally considered safe to eat.
Finally have an aspirin prior to your flight. This may help ward off DVT.
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Time
As with most of Europe, Croatia is 1 hour ahead of GMT. Pack a travel alarm clock. |
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Money
Croatian Kuna (Kuna (HRK). 1 Kuna = 100 Lipas.
Notes are in denominations of HRK1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5. Coins are in denominations of HRK25, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2 and 1 Lipa.
Bring GBP or USD for exchange, and an internationally recognized debit/credit card for teller machine withdrawals (available in all bigger towns).
Exchange rate (July 08)
1 USD = 4.55 Kuna
1 GBP = 9.08 Kuna
1 EUR = 7.21 Kuna
1 AUD = 4.43 Kuna
1 NZD = 3.47 Kuna |
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 Food, glorious food
The Adriatic coast is renowned for its variety of seafood dishes including freshly caught line and net fish and shellfish. We include breakfast and lunch, leaving you the opportunity to make your own independent arrangements for dinner. If you’re a seafood lover, you should reserve your appetite for dinner in port at one of the various local restaurants.
Owing to its geographical location, Croatian gastronomy is steeped in Mediterranean tradition. Olive trees have been growing in the Istrian region since Roman times, and a thousand years ago, top quality chefs equally expert in Oriental and Western cuisines were a key element of the crews aboard early trading vessels that departed from Dubrovnik.
Standard Mediterranean fare employing typical ingredients such as tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, small goods and cheese such as pizza, pasta, meat and fish dishes are available, but visitors ought to try local specialities. The Dubrovnik area is famed for its fish from the River Neretva, hard sheep milk cheese and oysters from Ston are outstanding. Further along in Split, the best types of Adriatic fish from dory to red mullet once enjoyed by the Roman emperor Diocletian are still enjoyed today.
Istria in Croatia’s north is famed for its highly valued truffles including the white truffle – Tuber magnatum, which is in no way inferior to those from Alba!
The Kvarner region, specifically the islands of Cres, Krk and Rab are famed for succulent, sweet-tasting lamb.
Small goods such as cured cheeses and meats are popular in Croatia.
The most highly acclaimed cheese in Croatia is paski sir, a sheeps milk cheese from the island of Pag, whilst the salami-like kulen from Slavonia in Croatia’s northeast is the king of cured sausage. Luganige, a sausage served in Split is also good. The hard and soft cheeses of the Kvarner islands are also very popular.
Beyond seasoned meats, fresh fish and other fruits de mer, cheeses, small goods, delectable olives, capers and freshly baked breads, fruit and vegetables are also big. Inland, Zagreb grows the best strawberries, small fruits such as plums and exotic mushrooms, whilst fig and almond trees persevere in the south. Istria is famed for its spring asparagus.
If you have a sweet tooth, try Rozata (crème caramel) a traditional desert of Dubrovnik.
Croatian wine and beers are of a high quality. Beer drinkers should try Zagreb's Ozujsko pivo or Karlovacko pivo or Tuborg, brewed under license in Croatia. In Dalmatia, some red wines such as Faros or Dingac are exquisite. You should also try Croatia's favourite brandy sljivovica, made from plums, or travarica, an herbal brandy.
Coffee (espresso) is also a popular beverage, if crying out for a java jolt.
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Shopping
Traditional handicrafts such as embroidery, woodcarvings and ceramics make good souvenirs, as do Croatian-produced wine, olives oils and preserves.
Olives have been growing in Croatia since Roman times, and many stuffed and bottled varieties can be purchased including olives stuffed with dried fig, almonds, fennel, capers, anchovy and of course, regular pimiento.
Avjar, a tasty relish made from grilled red pepper, aubergine (eggplant), garlic, olive oil and chili is available in jars and offers a tasty reminder with bread and cheese of that wonderful holiday you’ve just enjoyed in Croatia!
Eduard Slavoljub Penkala (1871-1922) was a Zagreb-based inventor, who invented the auto-pencil in 1906. Penkala brand writing instruments are available in some stationary shops dotted across Croatia.
Another consideration is a necktie. Replete with a traditional Croat design, of course. Why a necktie? Why, the Croatians stake claim to having invented them!
Croatian soldiers in Napoleon’s army wore a kind of scarf. The name for this scarf evolved in the word cravat over time in reference to the ‘Croat’s that wore them.
Presently tourists can reclaim VAT on expenditure of more than HRK500. Visitors should ensure that they retain all receipts. |
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Food on board
Aboard the cruise, Continental breakfast and lunch are provided.
Continental breakfast will comprise tea or coffee, fruit juice, bread, butter and preserves, plus cold cuts and cheeses.
Lunch will comprise a starter of home made soup or paste (during hot periods), a main course (where at least 2-3 times per week fish will be served) comprising either fish, meat or chicken with a minimum of two sides (potatoes, cabbage, other vegetables) and side salad and desert. Desert will also be offered and will comprise something like seasonal fruits, ice cream or perhaps pancakes.
All menus are designed and cooked by the onboard cook.
What’s to drink?
A bar operates on board all boats. Prices are in line with those one will pay in port at bars/cafes for beers, wines, basic spirits, mixers, soft drinks and bottled mineral water.
Since there is a bar aboard, it is not possible to consume personal supplies of alcohol or beverages not purchased aboard. If you were found to be flouting this rule, you would be asked to consume such personal supplies when ashore.
Vegetarian?
If you’re an Ovo Lacto Vegetarian, subject to advance advice (on your booking form), we can cater generally towards Vegetarians. By this, we mean that although we don’t specifically cater to Vegetarians, the onboard cook will ensure that a Vegetarian gets more vegetables/foodstuffs suitable for Vegetarians. Please be aware that all ingredients and meal composition will be subject to locally available/sourced foodstuffs. There will not be as much variety as you might perhaps be used to in your own home or favourite restaurant/café back home. With this in mind, there will be no hidden surprises or disappointment for you. |
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