Croatia is
- – one of the most environmentally friendly countries in Europe
- – record holder for the number of national parks
- – 1278 km of the Adriatic Sea coast, which is visible to a depth of 56 meters
- – 1185 islands, islets and sea cliffs
- – 4,012 km of island coast
- – 2600 hours of sunshine per year
Throughout the Republic of Croatia, water can be drunk directly from the tap.
When buying goods worth more than 500 kunas, do not forget to take tax-free checks in stores. By putting a label on the border about the export of these goods, you can return 22% of their value. In addition, if the financial police notice that you did not take the check, you will be considered an accomplice in the store owner’s tax evasion.
According to Anycountyprivateschools, tipping in a restaurant is only given if the service charge is not already included in the bill. It is also customary to give “tea” to taxi drivers, bartenders and guides.
In Kvarner they speak Italian, German, English, in Dalmatia – German and English.
Croatia: Money and currency of Croatia
The national currency of Croatia is the kuna, which is subdivided into 100 lipa. You can exchange currency almost everywhere. The rate offered by many banks and exchange offices is practically the same, but some banks do not charge a commission percentage.
Kunas can be exchanged for US dollars and other hard currencies not at all exchange offices. But almost everywhere American Express, Diners, Visa, Eurocard, Mastercard and JCB credit cards are accepted. Banks are usually open from 7:00 to 19:00 without a break. Many government agencies and offices are open from 8:00 to 16:00 with a lunch break from 12:00 to 13:00.
Croatia: Croatian Cuisine
The cuisine of Croatia is very diverse, therefore, the cuisine of the central regions, the formation of which was greatly influenced by Slavic, Hungarian, Viennese and Turkish cuisines, and the coastal culinary tradition, which is strongly influenced by Greek, Italian and French cuisines, are distinguished.
The central regions of Croatia and the mountainous regions are famous for simple but very tasty dishes: stewed vegetables “manistra”, excellent sausages of all kinds, turkey with pancakes, turkey breasts stuffed with marinated vegetables (“purecha prsa”), “buchenitsa”, “zagorska zlevka”, “mezhdemurska gibanica”, traditional layer cake “burek” with meat (“mesa”) or cheese (“sira”), fish paprikash from Slavonia, soup with beans and corn (“manistra od dobicha”), “lamb from the oven”,
By tradition, olive oil is added to all Croatian dishes. For dessert, you should definitely order the famous walnut pie, wonderful cakes or donuts from Samobor.
The cuisines of Dalmatia, Istria and Kvarner are characterized by a more frequent use of fish and seafood, but traditional meat dishes are also in high esteem here. Be sure to try the smoked pork ham “pršut” with dry cheese from the island of Pag, a rice dish with truffles (“rizhotto”), specially cooked young lamb meat with sour sheep’s milk from Sibenik (“visováček begovice”), wine soup, goulash – assorted fish with rice (“brodet”), crabs (“prstaci”), lamb from the island of Cres, beef and pork dish with spicy spices (“chobana s zlonyachina”
Excellent cheeses are a separate article, which are even sometimes used as souvenirs.
Typical desserts are fruits (including candied ones): figs, raisins, almonds and honey.
Expresso coffee is also popular. Be sure to try young home-made draft wine (“chiseled”), plum brandy “slivovitz”, herb-infused brandies (“travarka”, “biska” and “komovitsa”), a local variety of cognac (“vinjak”), as well as our own variety rakia – infused with herbs “travaritsa”. Excellent liqueurs are produced here: cherry “maraschino” from Zadar or herbal “pelinkovac”. Of the white varieties of wine, Malvasia, Poship, Kuyundjusha, Pinot, Grashevina, Kralevina, Burgundats, Traminats, Grk and White Muscat are considered the best. The best red wines are “Teran”, “Merlot”, “Cabernet”, “Plavac”.
Croatia: Culture of Croatia
The vast majority of Croatian citizens are Catholics. The countries are inhabited mainly by Croats, of the minorities, most of all Serbs, Bosnians, Slovenes, Hungarians, Italians, Czechs, Rusyns, Ukrainians.
- New Year – January 1
- Epiphany – January 6
- Easter and Easter Monday – no fixed date
- Labor Day – May 1
- Independence Day – May 30
- Anti-fascism Day – June 22
- Assumption of the Virgin – August 15
- All Saints Day – November 1
- Christmas – December 25, 26
