Croatia
How To Get There
Here is a list of airlines that fly into Dubrovnik and Split
Every major European city offers direct flights into Croatia. United and Delta also offer seasonal nonstop flights out of JFK and Newark.
You can easily route your flights using FlightsFrom.com to view the best way to get to and from destinations. We also recommend using Google Flights to compare the different airlines and their prices/routes. ALWAYS book your flights direct on and airline’s website and don’t use third-party sites. You don’t want to have issues in travel and must rely on calling a third-party for assistance. Airlines will not speak with you directly about third-party bookings.
Taxi from Airport to City Center.
The taxi fare from the airport to the city center is about 40 to 45 euros. Make sure you agree on the fare before the start of the ride. The ride is between 25-30 minutes . You can also take an Uber, which will cost you around 30 euros depending on the demand that day.
Currency
In 2023, Croatia adapted the Euro as its official currency. There are many ATM’s available in all the ports we visit. Try downloading a currency app like XE Currency to see the most current currency conversion.
Many places only accept cash, so it is good to have euros on hand when we are in the different ports.
Please beware of this common scam where the machine tries to trick you into paying higher conversion rates. Bottom line is never select the Accept conversion rate option. Always select the Reject Conversion option. Please watch this video to see how they try to trick you. The video below will show you how to avoid this scam. Please watch this short video.
Entry Requirements
There are not any visas or vaccines required to visit Croatia. You are required to have a valid passport with at least 3 months of validity from the date you enter the country.
View more information for entry via the US State Department.
Electrical Plugs (converters, adaptors)
For Croatia there are two associated plug types, types C and F. Plug type C is the plug which has two round pins and plug type F is the plug which has two round pins with two earth clips on the side. Croatia operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
To purchase the necessary adapter/converter, click here.
Tipping
Weather & What To Wear
Along the Adriatic coast you’ll find that the weather is a typical Mediterranean climate. This usually involves days that are hot and sunny through the summer and a temperament, occasionally wet winter with milder temperatures. It’s common for the summer weather to linger into autumn, with sunny, warm days that can have you comfortably exploring the versatile coastline during the off-peak seasons.
We expect the weather to average in the 80’s with lows in the mid 60’s. You are not required to dress up for our captains dinner so if you decide to bring a suit or tie I will make you walk the plank. Do bring T-shirts, collared/button down shirts, shorts, jeans, comfortable walking shoes, flip flops, sun dresses, bathing suits. I would bring a long sleeve shirt and a very light sweater just in case the weather decides to turn. I would also make sure you bring a small backpack so you can pack things like cameras, water and phones.
There is not a dress code required on the boat, so come as you are! It will be warm during the day when we do our city walks, so we recommend wearing something comfortable and wearing comfortable walking shoes for the cobblestone streets we peruse.
We will have many opportunities for swimming during this trip along the Adriatic, so we recommend bringing at least 2 bathing suits. Some of the beaches are rocky, so comfortable water shoes are also something to keep in mind.
Itinerary Changes
While we list an itinerary on our website, there may be changes during the trip. These changes are ultimately up to the captain, and he will modify things as needed according to weather, port authorities, and tour timing, etc. We recommend everyone checks their WhatsApp regularly so that they are aware of any last-minute changes.
Accommodations
A list of suggested accommodations can be found below. It’s very important to book ahead because accommodations become scarce in the busy summer time.
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik Is one of the most prominent tourist destinations in the Mediterranean Sea. It’s known for its distinctive Old Town, encircled with massive stone walls completed in the 16th century. Its well-preserved buildings Such as baroque St. Blaise Church to Renaissance Sponza Palace and Gothic Rector’s Palace, now a history museum. Paved with limestone, the pedestrianized Stradun (or Placa) is lined with shops and restaurants. Be inspired by a walk along the ancient city walls that protected a civilized, sophisticated republic for centuries.
And take the cable car up to Mt Srđ! Tons of rooftop restaurants!
Suggested Accommodations in Dubrovnik.
You will always get more bang for your buck staying at Airbnb’s in Dubrovnik. Look for properties within the old city wall.
A favorite location of mine are properties in Lapad, Croatia. Lapad is only a 15 minute Uber ride to the city center. It has a fabulous beach and lots of cute restaurants. It’s away from the craziness of the old city walls too!
These are some of my favorites in and around Dubrovnik!
- Hotel Adria: near Gruz Port perched on top of a hill)
- Hotel Lapad: located in the heart of Lapad
- Art Hotel Dubrovnik: the Art Hotel is one of my favorites if you are looking for a little luxury without breaking the budget.
- Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik: if money is no option or you are trying to get out of the dog house, stay here!
- Hotel More: cool location and has an awesome cave bar!
- Hotel Porto: brand new hotel opened in 2021
- Grand Hotel Park: nice pool and spa
Split
In 1979, the historic center of Split was included into the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Split is said to be one of the centres of Croatian culture. Split has been under Roman, Venetian, Austrian, French, Italian and Yugoslav control. There is an abundance of restaurants and wine cellars. Sites such as Diocletian’s Palace and Mausoleum, the Grgur Ninski Statue and the Cathedral and Bell Tower of St. Domnius justify its position as a UNESCO-designated World Heritage Site. The city’s coves offer several lovely beaches. Relaxed and informal, Split residents are less interested in high culture than they are in sports and the outdoors. The local football team, HNK Hajduk Split, inspires almost fanatical devotion throughout Dalmatia. There are plenty of bicycles for rent to pedal around the city.
Suggested Accommodations in Split
I recommend staying two nights after our trip in the beautiful city of Split.
- Sleep Split: Great location and close to Old Town
- Villa Split Luxury: Great value and excellent location
- Hotel Corner: This is a 3/4 star property and it is about a 10 minute walk to the city center.
- Piazza Heritage Hotel: In the heart of the action
Things You You Should Do In Split
You should arrange for a trip to the beautiful waterfalls of Krka which is about an hour drive from Split. HTTP://WWW.NP-KRKA.HR/EN/.
If you would like to schedule a winery visit or Market tour, cooking class and wine tasting:
Restaurants
Below we have recommended restaurants to visit during out trip. Make sure to check them out and make reservations in advance – Croatia has become an extremely popular destination, so many restaurants will fill their reservations before we arrive.
It is also important to note that most restaurants do not accept credit cards, so make sure to ask before ordering.
Dubrovnik Restaurants
- Azur: This is my personal favorite restaurant! You must try the chicken/chorizo tacos!! Also, Crunchy Amaranth Balls in Curry Coconut Sauce! Their cocktails are great too!
- Lady Pipi: I always have to is it this restaurant when I am in Dubrovnik! Excellent location and BBQ. They don’t accept reservations and if you are not there at 5pm you will wait 2 hours to get in
- Nautica: 5 star food and location and you will pay for it. Expensive but you only live once so if you want to impress someone dine here.
- Konoba Dubrovnik: 15 minutes ride from Dubrovnik. This a a family owned restaurant and specializes in local Croatian food. Excellent veal, steak, potatoes
Hvar Restaurants
- Konoba Bunar:
- Smokvina: Excellent pasta and pizza
- Fig: Small menu but super tasty delights
- Vintage Hvar: Excellent wines and atmosphere
Split Restaurants
- Articok: their most popular dishes are black risotto and truffle pasta – as well as a roast beef salad that can be shared as a started. It is recommended to dine on the rooftop deck alfresco. This is one of the best places to eat with the best views.
- Mazzgoon: this is a wonderful place to eat tucked down a lane in Diocletian’s Palace. The focus of the food is on pasta and seafood dishes.
- Konoba Fetivi: family-run establishment in the historic Varos district, near the fisherman’s port. This Michelin restaurant is known as the best seafood restaurant in Split.
Our Boat
M/S Summer is a brand-new cruise ship, simply perfect for your family cruise in Croatia.
LUXURY AND SAFETY
Constructed in 2019, M/S SUMMER complies with the newest European cruise ships standards. A part of our growing and versatile fleet of small cruise ships, M/S SUMMER is also available for charter hire. This luxury yacht is made to satisfy refined cruise expectations. The ship’s amenities include state-of-the-art navigation and safety system, fully equipped comfortable air-conditioned cabins with private facilities, Wi-Fi, restaurant, bar, sun deck, elegance rooftop Jacuzzi, swimming platform and much else.
SMALL AND POWERFUL: JUST LIKE A PRIVATE YACHT
Our small cruise ships are well-built and nimble, small and powerful. They will take you where the bigger vessels cannot go, navigating through the narrow waterways into the very hearts of bustling Mediterranean cities, anchoring in hidden Adriatic bays, docking in a small Dalmatian islands’ port. Forget the time-wasting disembarkation. With M/S SUMMER the beauties and treasures of Croatian coast and islands are at your hand’s reach, just as if you were cruising aboard your own private yacht!
TOTALLY CROATIAN
We are very proud of the fact that all of our small cruise ships are designed and constructed in Croatia. Moreover, they are family-run. Their all-Croatian crews and captains descend from the generations of seafarers. These are people who know and love the sea and will do their very best to accommodate your wishes and make your Croatian holiday most enjoyable and unforgettable.
Please click on this link for all the photos and boat details
Wi-Fi on boat.
There is Wi-Fi onboard the boat so you can send pics to friends, and talk about how You Can’t Steal My Happy Trips are the best ever!
Transportation
There are plenty of transportation options available in Croatia. Uber and taxis are easily available in larger cities. It is also easy and quick to take ferries between places in Croatia. For ferry routes in Croatia, click here.
Security and Scams
Croatia is a very safe and friendly country, but of course while traveling anywhere, you should exercise normal precautions.
US Embassy Information
U.S. Embassy, 2 Thomas Jefferson St., 10010 Zagreb. Phone 01-661-2200. http:// zagreb.usembassy.gov.
Intro, History, & Geo
INTRO
Every year, more and more visitors are vacationing in friendly, picturesque Croatia along the Adriatic coast. It has much to offer: good food, good wine, beautiful beaches, clean water, gorgeous scenery, historic cities, charming villages, striking architecture, Roman ruins and well-preserved antiquities.
Also, Croatia’s infrastructure is solid since multilane highways and international hotels have been built to accommodate the large number of tourists that populate the country annually. Vacationers from all over the world go to relax and enjoy the laid-back beaches and other beautiful scenery that Croatia offers.
GEOGRAPHY
Croatia borders Slovenia, Hungary, and Bosnia and Herzegovina and is close to Austria and Italy. In the interior of the country are mountains dotted with vineyards, castles, lakes and waterfalls. Zagreb, the capital, is situated in the north-central part of the country. The rugged Dalmatia coast is simply spectacular, with towering mountains forming a backdrop for the long, narrow strip of land and rock that is washed by the clear waters of the Adriatic.
Offshore, there are more than a thousand islands, some uninhabited and others endowed with ancient villages. Travelers can choose their favorites for sunbathing, swimming or exploring.
Istria (or Istra to locals) is the triangular peninsula that forms the northwestern part of the Croatian coast. Its proximity to the Italian border has long made it a popular resort area for European aristocracy.
HISTORY
If Croatia seems replete with foreign influences—Roman amphitheaters, Venetian palaces, Hapsburg castles, Italian food—it’s because the area’s history has been marked by periods of foreign domination. Seeds of the most recent conflict in the former Yugoslavia date from the division of the Roman Empire in AD 395.
The Western Empire, ruled from Rome, fell to northern barbarians, but it left a legacy of Roman Catholicism in its former territories, including what became the nation of Croatia. The Eastern Empire, ruled from Byzantium (later Constantinople, and now Istanbul), bequeathed Orthodox Christianity to its territories, including what is now Serbia. Later, Turks conquered the region to the south of Croatia and introduced Islam. The religious, cultural and ethnic divisions fomented friction but also created a fascinating multicultural atmosphere still evident in the region.
The idea of Yugoslavia, or “Land of the Southern Slavs,” was created at the beginning of the 20th century. In spite of religious differences, most of the people in the area between Austria and Albania are of common ancestry. Idealists thought it logical that all should unite in one country. The Kingdom of the Serbs, Croats and Slovenes was created at the end of World War I but collapsed when the German Nazis invaded during World War II and set up a puppet state of Croatia, which constructed concentration camps for Serbs, Gypsies and Jews. The Nazis were driven out by the Partisans, a multiethnic army led by Croatian-born Joseph Broz Tito.
Tito downplayed sectarian differences and ruled a united Yugoslavia—with an authoritarian intolerance for regional chauvinism—for 34 years. Communism in the former Yugoslavia was not exactly the type experienced by many Eastern bloc countries. Many Yugoslavs owned appliances and cars, traveled, spoke other languages and worked in the country’s tourism industry. After Tito’s death in 1980, ethnic differences once again rose to the surface and by the end of the decade had polarized the country.
Concerned about Serbian nationalism and spurred on by its own nationalist leader, Franjo Tudjman, Croatia declared its independence in 1991. Backed by the Yugoslavian Armed Forces, Serbia invaded and, after a bloody struggle, occupied a fourth of the country. Serbia’s policy of “ethnic cleansing,” as well as its siege of Dubrovnik and the destruction of the city of Vukovar, turned international opinion in favor of the Croats. The fighting ended after a cease- fire was signed in 1992, and the Serbs turned their attention to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Though divided, Croatia remained fairly stable until mid-1995, when the government launched two attacks against Serb rebels. First, the Croats invaded the region of western Slavonia and quickly reconquered the area. The Croats then launched an attack against the rebel stronghold of Knin in the Krajina. Within a few days the army had routed the rebels and taken the capital. The defeat sent about 120,000 Croatian Serb refugees into neighboring Bosnia and Herzegovina. With these two victories, Croatia had reclaimed all rebel-held territory, except for the portion of eastern Slavonia that borders Serbia—an area ceded to Croatia by the 1995 Dayton peace accords.
Croatia has worked hard to define itself as an independent country. In June 2011, the country was given the green light to join the European Union, and it officially became a member in July 2013. As a result, prices have risen to the level of those in other European countries—Croatia is no longer the bargain it once was. But most travelers will find that discovering the country’s long-hidden treasures is well worth the cost.