Landscapes
Croatia is located on Balkan Peninsula in the west, and includes over a 1000 islands of which only 60 are inhabited. It is bordered by Italy, Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Montenegro, and sits behind the Italian “boot”. Croatia is one long stretch of coastline with the beautiful Mediterranean Sea lapping at its shores. The country is mountainous which provides a stunning backdrop to many of the coastal regions.
The Climate
Croatia is one of the warmest countries in Europe. The predominant climate is Mediterranean-temperate, with warm dry summers, and constant mild temperatures during the winter. One testament to this is that the Island of Hvar is the sunniest island in the whole of the Mediterranean.

Currency
The currency in Croatia is Kuna (Kn), approximately 7.4kn to a Euro.

VAT and Tax Refunds
Croatia is not part of the European Union so you may request a sales-tax refund for your purchases. You need to request a form for your sales-tax refund at the shop. The paperwork is simple: to obtain the refund, you request a tax-free receipt of purchase, for which you need to show a valid proof of foreign residency (passport). Ask for the refund at the authorized refund-processing company. You can get your refund in cash.

Opening Hours
Shops are generally open Monday to Saturday 9.00am to 9.00pm. Many supermarkets and smaller shops will also open on Sundays.

Electrical Current
The electrical current in Croatia is 220 volts, 50 cycles AC. Plugs are of the continental type, with two round prongs. American appliances require a transformer and a plug adapter for use in Croatia.

Food & Wines
Croatian cuisine is heterogeneous, and is therefore known as "the cuisine of regions".
Its modern roots date back to Proto-Slavic and ancient periods and the differences in the selection of foodstuffs and forms of cooking are most notable between those on the mainland and those in coastal regions. Mainland cuisine is characterized by the earlier Proto-Slavic and the more recent contacts with the more famous gastronomic orders of today - Hungarian, Viennese and Turkish - while the coastal region bears the influences of the Greek, Roman and Illyrian, as well as of the later Mediterranean cuisine - Italian and French.
Croatia has some great red wines among them Kastelet (especially 1996 and 1997), Plavac and Babic. All of these are from Dalmatia and are especially good with fish and meat dishes, best served at room temp. But if you are travelling to Croatia, you will be able to taste some great locally produced wines in ‘konobas’, guest houses and bars which are generally not available in shops. For a sweeter, liqueur like dessert wine try Prosek, very smooth, light wine drank after dinner or sometimes as an aperitif. Some of the better known white wines are Posip, Kastelet and Pljesivica and Daruvarski Rizling, a reizling white wine. You might also wish to try some Croatia liqueurs, such as Maraschino (made from Maraska cherries in Zadar region), Kruskovac (from pears), Orahovac (walnut), Sljivovica (plum brandy) etc. which vary from region to region.

Facts