About Us

CROATIA-GENERAL INFORMATION

Welcome to Croatia!
You are just about to take one of the most memorable trips to beautiful country that for many years was under the radar. Croatia is truly wonderful destination and offers almost everything: rich history, culture, arts, architecture, ancient monuments (7 UNESCO sites), beautiful countryside, Adriatic Sea with its beautiful and rugged Dalmatian Coast and more than 1 200 islands, ideal Mediterranean climate, gourmet food, excellent wines and wonderful, warm and friendly people. Until 1991 Croatia was part of former Yugoslavia along with 6 other new countries: Serbia, Montenegro, Macedonia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Slovenia and Kosovo. Bloody Balkan conflict of 1991-95 that took more than 250 000 lives, caused the break-up of Yugoslavia and 7 new countries were born. Croatia and Slovenia eventually became part of the EU while the other 5 are still struggling and trying to meet EU’s strict admission criteria.

Slovenia converted to Euro currency while Croatia stayed on its original monetary system and “Kuna” (HRK) is still the official currency.
You will be surprised how beautiful Croatia is. Typical comment by first time visitor is: ”WOW! I did not know that Croatia is so beautiful and that has so much to offer.”
We hope you will find our country beautiful and will enjoy your trip. Mediterra and its staff will go an extra mile to make your trip one of the most memorable ones. Thank you for trusting us your travel arrangements.

TEN (10) MUST-SEE PLACES IN CROATIA

(not in order of priority or importance)

1. ZAGREB (the capital)
A vibrant, young city filled with history, culture, cafes, restaurants, boutique shops, museums, galleries and fun. National Opera & Theater, Mestrovic Museum, Mimara Museum, Museum of Naïve Art, Museum of Broken relationships, Museum of Images, Gallery of Modern Art, Upper Town, Main Square and Farmers Market Dolac are just a few things to see in this clean and dynamic city.
To learn more about Zagreb: http://www.infozagreb.hr/?lang=en
2. OPATIJA
Opatija (pron: Oh-pa-tee-ya) is probably the most beautiful and the most elegant seaside resort town on both sides of the Adriatic. When Croatia was under Austro-Hungarian rule (17th, 18th, 10th and part of 20th century), Opatija was the winter playground for European nobility. Anyone who was someone in Europe at that time, had to come during the winter months to Opatija. While most of Europe is covered with heavy snow during the winter months, Opatija enjoys mild Mediterranean climate coupled with natural spas with thermal water and beautiful scenery. Most of hotels and villas in Opatija were built by wealthy Austro-Hungarians and still today are used to accommodate thousands of visitors.
To learn more about Opatija: http://visitopatija.com/
3. ISTRIAN PENINSULA
There are actually at least 5 major attractions in this relatively small province, and none is more than one-hour drive distant from each other: Pula, Rovinj, Porec and Central Istria’s Truffle Country.
PULA is home to “Arena”, the best-preserved Roman amphitheater in the world. While the Rome’s Amphitheater is the biggest, Pula Arena is the best preserved. Only a few stones from its outside walls are missing. To learn more about Pula: http://www.pulainfo.hr/en/
During their reign in the Mediterranean, Romans built about 25 amphitheaters mainly for gladiators’ spectacles. Except 5 or 6, all others have been completely destroyed.
ROVINJ is a small, medieval, Venetian style town built during the Venetian dominance in the Adriatic. It is a very romantic town with narrow cobblestone streets filled with cafes, restaurants, and boutiques with a huge Cathedral of St. Euphemia dominating the entire area. It claims to be the “most photographed town” in the entire Mediterranean. To learn more about Rovinj: http://www.tzgrovinj.hr/
POREC (pron: po-rech) is another small, Venetian-style town home to a Byzantine Euphrasius Basilica, one of Croatia’s seven UNESCO sites. History still did not really explain how this, typical Eastern Orthodox, Byzantine Cathedral with all elements of Byzantine architecture was built in the heart of Western Roman Empire.
To learn more about Porec: http://www.to-porec.com/
CENTRAL ISTRIA with its main town of Motovun is world-wide known as the truffles world capital. Truffles are in mushrooms family and basically come as White truffles (Tuber magnatum) and Black truffles (Tuber Melanosporum). Both are considered as prime delicacy and rare ingredient sold on world markets at very high price. Truffles grow about 5-10 inches/10-25 cm under surface and are humans cannot detect or find them. Specially trained dogs or pigs are used to sniff and find them. While black mushrooms can be found year around, more prized white mushrooms are seasonal and can be found only in Italy and Croatia between September and December. A little hilltop town of Motovun in Central Istria is the world capital of white mushrooms. Annual festivities and truffle festival is held here ever September. Incidentally, Indi car racer Mario Andretti Sr. was born in Motovun. To learn more about Central Istria: http://www.central-istria.com/en/
BRIUNI ISLANDS were at one time the summer residence of former Yugoslav president Tito. He built here a little paradise with neatly manicured flower gardens and even a small private zoo. The island today is designated as a National Park and open to visitors. There are even several small hotels to accommodate them.
To learn more about Brijuni: https://www.np-brijuni.hr/en
4. PLITVICE LAKES

National Park in Central Croatia is one of the most beautiful and most unique national parks in Europe. It is a must see natural beauty. A chain of 16 pristine lakes set above each other and connected with spectacular waterfalls and cascades is set in a jungle-like lush environment. Because of its unparalleled value, it is UNESCO Protected natural monument.
To learn more about Plitvice: http://www.tzplitvice.hr/

5. DIOCLETIAN’S PALACE

This is the largest Roman palace built anywhere in Roman Empire and is located in the heart of city of Split. This enormous 4-square-blocks palace is today a home to more than 500 Split residents who built their homes within the Palace. It is a national treasure placed under protected by the UNESCO.
To learn More about Split: http://visitsplit.com/en/

6. ZADAR

Zadar is home to 2 very interesting man-made attractions: The Sea Organ and Salutation to the Sun platform, both invention of local architect-artist Nikola Basic in 2005. But Zadar is also gateway to four beautiful National Parks in Croatia: Plitvice Lakes, Paklenica NP, Kornati Islands NP and Krka NP.
To learn more about Zadar: http://www.zadar.travel/en

7. HVAR & KORCULA ISLANDS

They are only about 1 hr. away from each other but probably two most beautiful and most popular islands in the Adriatic. Hvar is one of the oldest island-cities and must stop fore every cruise line or private yacht. It is summer entertainment capital of European young and parties on this island last practically the entire night. ON the other hand, Korcula is quiet city and island with may interesting choices. It is also believed that Korcula was a birthplace of Marco Polo, the legendary explorer and traveler.
To learn more about Hvar: http://www.tzhvar.hr/en/
To learn more about Korcula: http://www.visitkorcula.eu/index-hr.html

8. DUBROVNIK

This is definitely the most recognizable destination in Croatia. It is a medieval town that prospered as independent republic at the same time as Venice did. Today Dubrovnik is a must-see place for every visitor to Croatia. Every commercial cruise line operating in Mediterranean, has Dubrovnik on its itineraries.

9. MLJET ISLAND NP

Mljet island (pron: mel-yet) is unique green island with a saltwater lake on it and another, smaller island in the lake. Indigenous Mediterranean flora and fauna thrive on this island that is almost entirely covered with pine forest and Mediterranean plants. To learn more about Mljet: http://www.mljet.hr/?l=eng

10. MALI LOSINJ ISLAND

Mali Losinj enjoys reputation as the island of health. Pure, clean and an air enriched with oxygen by vast pine forests is said to cure any respiratory illness. Even Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph used to come here to enjoy clean and healthy air. He even built several villas here which still today are used to accommodate visitors to this island. Ernie Els, the famous South African pro golfer, liked the island so much that he built a golf course. To learn more about Mali Losinj: https://www.visitlosinj.hr/

MORE ABOUT CROATIA
• Croatia in Croatian is called “Hrvatska” (hur-wat-ska).
• Croatian alphabet is Latin. You will have no problems reading signs. You might have problem reading street signs especially if driving for they are in most cases written in small lettering which are posted somewhere on corner buildings and hardly visible.
• Many buildings or houses, especially in rural areas don’t even have house numbers and thus very hard to identify.
• Your GPS is pretty good tool but sometimes can take you to wrong address. Make sure to properly enter all information in address.
• Reading tip: Croatian letters “š”=sh, “ž”=zh, “č”=ch and “j” is always pronounced as “y”.
• Croatia used to be a part of former Yugoslavia together with Slovenia, Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Macedonia and Kosovo. It gained its independence on June 25, 1991.
• Croatia is today an independent democracy governed by a National Assembly, President and Prime Minister.
• Virtually the entire eastern coast of the Adriatic Sea, which is called Dalmatia with its more than 1,200 islands, belongs to Croatia.
• Croatia joined EU on July 1, 2013 as 28th EU nation but will not accept Euro as official currency.
• Croatian currency is called Kuna ( koo-na), official exchange code designation: HRK.
• Approximate Exchange rate: 6:50 HRK=1 US$ (6.35 in August, 2020) or approximately 100 Kunas =US$15. Kuna consists of 100 lipa (pron: lee-pa).
• The only currency officially accepted in stores and restaurants is Croatian Kuna. All prices are posted in Croatian Kunas including menus in restaurants.
• Make sure to retain receipt and bill for everything you purchase. As consumer, you may be held liable if you cannot produce proof of payment for a purchased item or service. Croatian IRS inspectors are trying to stop widespread cheating and non-reporting cash transactions by some merchants pocketing cash and not reporting sales to avoid paying taxes.
• All major Credit Cards are widely accepted by better restaurants and hotels. Be prepared to pay cash in smaller establishments; taxis, small restaurants, small merchants, farmers markets.
• Most US issued ATM cards can be used to withdraw cash from Croatian banks. Suggest you notify your bank before departure to prevent fraud.
• Good buys in Croatia: wine, olive oil, crystal, embroidery, leather goods (purses), processed truffles, handicrafts….
• Notable persons born in Croatia: Nikola Tesla (scientist), Ivan Mestrovic (sculptor-thought sculpturing at Syracuse and Notre Dame Universities), Mario Andretti Sr. (Indi car racer), Leo Hedrick Sternbach (chemist-inventor of valium), Slavoljub Penkala (inventor of writing pen).
• Good food and dishes in Croatia: prosciutto (one of the best in the world), home-made cheeses, olive oil, Croatian ice cream (on every corner), strukli (cheese dumplings), chevapchichi, roast lamb, roast veal and truffle dishes and seafood is fresh and delicious. Croatia has one of the largest shellfish farms in Europe.
• English is widely spoken at all tourist points, hotels, attractions and restaurants. Young Croatians in particular are well versed in English, German or Italian.
• Wi-Fi Internet access is widely available. In most hotels it is usually free of charge while in Internet cafes there is a small fee to access Internet.
• Facebook, phone texting and Twitter are in wide use in Croatia, especially by the younger generation.
• Internet country code: .hr (for Hr-vatska).
• To call Croatia from any country in the world, dial country code (385) + city code + phone number.
• Dialing from Croatia to the US: 01 + area code+ number. Most US cell phones can be used in Croatia. Suggest you notify your wireless carrier before departure.
• Most hotels regardless of category provide standard amenities: towels, soap, shampoo, lotion, hair dryers, iron and ironing boards, laundry service. Breakfast is always included in your hotel rate unless otherwise specified.
• Tipping suggestion: 10-15% of total. IMPORTANT: Restaurant bills cannot process tip if paying by credit card. Therefore, tipping in cash (in any currency) is welcomed. Tip to Tour Guides $20-30 for 2.0 hour guiding and about $70-100 for full day (groups $5.00 per person). Drivers $10 per hour for driving up to 3 hours and $50 for full day.
• Dinner reservations are highly recommended at better restaurants in peak season (June, July, August & September). In off-season, chances are good for immediate seating without reservation in most restaurants. Mediterra local Croatian staff will gladly make any restaurant reservations for you.
• If you are satisfied with your meal, you will make great impression and savor a memorable moment by offering a drink to the chef who prepared your food. Many times they will come out to greet guests in their cooking garbs, join you at the table and offer a complimentary dessert or something very special that is not on menu.
• Pretend you are a restaurant critic. Make brief notes of your experiences at each place. We would love to hear from you. Please share your impressions and experiences with us upon your return.