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Zagreb
Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, is the political and administrative
centre of the Republic of Croatia. For centuries it has been a cultural,
scientific and business centre of the whole region. The first written
history of Zagreb dates back to 1094. It was founded on two hills,
Gradec and Kaptol and in 1242 it was granted the rights and privileges
of a Royal Borough.
Today Zagreb is a city of charm with romantic medieval Upper town,
lively Downtown, pictoresque open-air markets, squares, coffee shop
terraces and beautiful green parks. Just a perfect measure of a city,
tailor made to relax and enjoy.
To help you pack
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Zagreb has a continental climate with and average temperature of up to 30°C and down to-10°C in winter.
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During October you can often enjoy the highlights of a beautiful, colourfull autumn.
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Electricity – 220V, 50Hz
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Tap water is safe to drink in all off Croatia
- Time differences – GTM + 1 hour (during summer: GTM +2)
- Croatian currency – is the Croatian Kuna (HRK)
- Credit cards – AMEX, DINERS, MASTERCARD, VISA
To be on diet in Zagreb? No, not here. Check the menu.
Zagreb cuisine has its roots in Austro Hungarian traditions but the sea
is so close (only 1,5 h drive away) that a mediterranean influence can
also be tasted on you plate. Start with „Štrukli“ – Zagreb's signature
dish, homemade pastry filled with cottage cream cheese. And then, have a hot chicken soup to warm your heart. The main role on your
plate should be given to turkey with „mlinci“. Dig in and don't stop
untill the plate is clean. Lean back a little bit and prepare for the
queen of desserts, the delicious custard cake.
The food should of course be followed by wine so ask the waiter to suggest one of famous Croatian wines with each of the dish.
Accommodation
Kompas has offered the large variety of hotels of very good quality in all category ranges.
What are the Zagreb people like?
One of the most famous songs of Zagreb starts with „Welcome my
friend...“ so Zagreb people, or „Purgers“ as they like to call
themselves, will welcome you with open heart doing their best to make
you feel at home.
Lots of coffee shops terraces full of people enjoying
the cup of coffee and talk with their friends prove that mediterranean
life style is very much present in this middle european city.
Purgers
have also a special passion for sports – either taking part in it or
following sporting events. There is no star like a sport star here.
Numerous medals on Olimpics and world championships prove that Zagreb
and Croatians can really be very much proud of their sportsmen.
Local people speak foreign languages. English is most spoken foreign language.
Croatian language course
- Hello - Bok
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Thank You - Hvala
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Goodbye - Doviđenja
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How much does it cost? - Koliko košta?
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How are you? - Kako ste?
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I'm fine thank you - Hvala dobro sam
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Your cat is beautifull - Vaša mačka je jako lijepa
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What's your cat's name? - Kako se zove Vaša mačka?
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Wine - vino
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Beer - pivo
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Coffee - kava
Croatian WOWs
- The tie, the cravat was invented by the Croatians back in 17th century
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In 1906, a Croat Slavoljub Eduard Penkala invented a ballpoint (penkala) and a holder for a fountain pen.
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The world traveler and explorer Marco Polo was born in 1254, most probably on the island of Korčula
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The famous scientist Nikola Tesla (1856-1943), inventor of alternating current was born in Smiljan, Croatia
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Croatia has 8 national parks and 11 nature parks
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Croatia has 1185 islands
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On UNESCO list there are 7 Croatian destinations
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UNESCO list of intangible heritage includes 10 croatian pearls of cultural heritage, traditions or living expressions inherited from our ancestors and passed on to our descendants
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Famous sportsmen: Tennis player Goran Ivanišević 2001 Wimbledon Champion; skiier Janica Kostelic – a number of World Cup titles and gold and silver medals in 2002 and 2006 Winter Olympics; her brother Ivica Kostelic won world championship gold medal in 2003, silver medal in 2006 Winter Olympics; athlete Blanka Vlasic won golds at the World Athletics Final, World Indoor Championship and World Championships, silver medal at 2008 Olimpics; a number of Croatian basketball players are famous in the world Drazen Petrovic, Toni Kukoc, Dino Radja and Croatia won a silver medal for basketball in their first Olympics in 1992.; Handball team won gold medals both in 1996 and 2004 Olympics
Shops
Most shops are open from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. on weekdays, and many are also open during the weekend. Public services and business offices generally work from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., Monday to Friday.
Health services
Foreign visitors who are covered by health insurance in their own country are not obliged to pay for emergency medical services during a private stay in the Republic of Croatia if a convention on Social Security has been signed between Croatia and the visitors’ country of origin, i.e. if they have in their possession a certificate stipulated by such a convention confirming their right to health care. Health care (including transport) is used for emergency cases in the manner and according to regulations valid for Croatian citizens covered by Social Security, with identical participation in health care costs (participation). Persons coming from countries with which no such convention has been signed personally bear the costs of health services rendered.
Customs regulations
Customs regulations in the Republic of Croatia are almost entirely harmonised with EU regulations and standards, but the value of those non-commercial items that are brought into the country for personal use and are exempt from tax duty or PDV (VAT), is limited to only 1,000 HRK (kuna).
Foreign and local currency and cheques may be freely taken in and out of the country by both foreign and Croatian citizens with foreign residence, but transfers of an amount of 10,000 Euros or more must be declared to a customs official. Valuable professional equipment and other technical devices must also be declared to a customs official at the border crossing.
VAT is refunded to persons who do not have permanent or temporary residence in Croatia, for individual goods purchased in Croatia, for amounts in excess of 740.00 HRK (Kuna), upon the presentation of a Tax Cheque form verified by a customs official during the export of purchased goods, at the latest 3 months from the day of purchase. Foreign nationals must claim Tax refunds within six months of the receipt issue date.
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