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.

ZAGREB
Zagreb, capital of Croatia, is the country’s economic centre and gateway to Western Europe. The city is sited on the slopes of Medvednica Mountain along the banks of the Sava River, in the northern part of Croatia. The core of the city consists of the preserved medieval city, known as Gradec and Kaptol, while the residential area covers the southern slopes of the Medvednica Mountains. Since the 1950s the city has grown appreciably to the south of the Sava River, and the main industrial area is in the southeast. Besides being a commercial hub Zagreb is a tourist centre, and a popular international conference venue, with a history dating back nearly a thousand years. It is rich in historical monuments, museums and galleries, has modern shops, restaurants, sport and recreation facilities and a good transport infrastructure. Its attractions are largely historical, dating from the Palaeolithic Veternica Cave, through Roman culture and the fascinating medieval old town.


DALMATIA
The Croatian coastal province of Dalmatia, consisting of a scenically rich hinterland and coastal belt on the Adriatic Sea fringed with an archipelago of islands, is not only the country’s holiday playground but also an area of cultural and historical significance. At the centre of Dalmatia, both geographically and strategically, is the city of Split, which grew up in the Middle Ages near the site of the ancient Roman town of Salona. The other main city in Dalmatia is Dubrovnik, a major port, situated in the south of the province.

The economies of both Split and Dubrovnik depend heavily on tourism and the area has exploited the potential by welcoming visitors and providing an efficient infrastructure. The cities claim to be the sunniest in Europe, with a mild Mediterranean climate. The attractions for the tourist are primarily large pebble beaches, walking trails, picturesque villages, delicious cuisine and archaeological remains dating back to the Stone Age and moving through the area’s social and political development to tribal, Greek and Roman occupations.

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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.

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. Hospitals and medical treatment are fairly good, with free emergency medical care available to UK citizens with a passport, though some medicines are in short supply in public facilities. Non-UK nationals are advised to invest in health insurance.

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.

Currency:
The official unit of currency is the Kuna (K). One Kuna is divided into 100 Lipa. ATMs are plentiful throughout the country and banks, authorised bureaux de change, post offices or most hotels will exchange foreign currency or travellers cheques. Banks open Monday to Saturday and some banks also open on Sundays in the main cities. Major credit cards are widely accepted at the main hotels and restaurants, and may be used to draw cash from ATMs, which are widely available in Zagreb.

Visa and Passport :
Entry requirements for Americans: US citizens must present a passport (it may be expired up to 6 months). Visas are not required for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for UK nationals: UK citizens must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay. A visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for Canadians: Canadian citizens must have a passport valid for period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for Australians: Australian citizens must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for South Africans: South African nationals must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay and a visa for travel to Croatia.

Entry requirements for New Zealanders: New Zealanders must have a passport valid for the period of intended stay. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.

Entry requirements for Irish nationals: Irish nationals must have a passport or ID card valid for the period of intended stay. No visas are required for stays of up to 90 days.

Passport/Visa Note: All visitors require a passport valid for period of intended stay, as well as documents and tickets for onward or return destinations and sufficient funds (at least €100 or equivalent per day unless a national of an EU country).

Note: Passport and visa requirements are liable to change at short notice. Travellers are advised to check their entry requirements with their embassy or consulate.

Airports: Pleso International Airport (ZAG)
Location: The airport is situated 10 miles (17km) southeast of Zagreb. Time: Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 from last Saturday in March to end October). Contacts: Tel: +385 01 45 62 222. Transfer to the city: A bus service connects to the city centre's bus station (K25), leaving every 30 minutes from outside the international arrivals hall. A taxi rank is also situated right outside the international arrivals.

Facilities: The airport has banks, bureaux de change and ATMs, duty-free shops, a post office, tourist information kiosk, and 24-hour left luggage service. The Faust Vranèiæ Restaurant is situated on the first floor of the passenger's terminal offer waiter or self-service and a cafe. Departure tax: None. Website: www.zagreb-airport.hr

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