Croatia – Wolters World

What to See & Do in Kotor, Montenegro

Posted on June 15, 2020June 8, 2020 by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about Kotor, Montenegro. The Kotor cruise port has become a popular stop for ships, which unload passengers for two to five hours in the summer months. Whether you visit Kotor on a cruise ship or as part of a larger Montenegro vacation, we want to share with you some things to do in Kotor, Montenegro.

Kotor Old Town

The best thing to do in Kotor is to explore Kotor Old Town area by walking around. It’s a beautiful old town, with several interesting churches, including St. Luke’s Church and St. Nicholas Church. Saint Tryphon’s Cathedral is also really cool, and there is an adjoining museum that is very interesting. There are also a couple of interesting museums, but overall it’s just a nice area to walk around. It’s very laid-back, so you don’t feel rushed to see a bunch of sites, but rather you get to enjoy the atmosphere.

Walk The City Walls

Kotor is a fortified city, so you can walk along the ramparts that wind up the nearby hillsides. The walls loom over the city, providing excellent views of the surrounding areas. Once you’ve climbed to the top of the walls, you can continue on by hiking to the Church of Our Lady of Remedy, a 16th-century church that is only accessible by hiking. Climbing even farther along, you can reach the castle of St. John. If you decide to hike above Kotor and you are visiting on a cruise ship, make sure you turn around with enough time to get back to your boat!

Island Hopping by Boat

Taking a boat tour is one of the many fun things to do in Kotor. You can easily join a boat tour in the harbor and go check out some of the nearby islands in the Bay of Kotor. Our Lady of the Rocks is a man-made island, with a small church. If you arrive by cruise ship, you’ll go right by the islands, but the only way to reach them is by small boat.

Dining in Kotor

There are several small squares around town that are lined with restaurants. The seafood is fantastic, so I recommend finding a quaint restaurant to enjoy a nice, leisurely meal while you are in Kotor. There’s also a distinct Italian influence in the cuisine, so you can get some great pasta dishes in Kotor as well. Make sure you try some local Montenegro wine while you are here!

Is Kotor Safe?

Kotor is a very safe place to visit. The main safety concerns are health-related. It can get very hot in Kotor, so if you decide to hike up to St. Johns castle, you need to ensure you are properly hydrated and that your skin is protected.

The cruise staff did warn us of pickpockets in Kotor, but I didn’t see anything out of the ordinary that gave me concern for my safety.

Honest Travel Safety Advice for Every Traveler

Tipping in Montenegro

When you go out to eat in Kotor, you may be wondering if you should tip. It’s customary to tip around 10% of your restaurant bill in Montenegro. Prices are very affordable in Montenegro, so adding 10% won’t break the bank, regardless of how much you eat!

Montenegro Currency

While Montenegro is not part of the Eurozone or the European Union, they do use the Euro. The ATMs provide Euros, which is nice if you need to stock up on Euros after being in Croatia for a bit. If you’re on a cruise ship, the crew would probably prefer to receive tips in Euros rather than the Croatian Kuna.

Tips for Exchanging Currency Abroad

Language in Montenegro

You may wonder what language do they speak in Montenegro. The official language is Montenegrin, however, a robust tourism industry means you will have no trouble finding English speakers in Montenegro.

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Kotor is a fun village to visit in Montenegro. Whether you visit on a day trip from Dubrovnik to Kotor, disembark at the Kotor cruise port, or decide to stay overnight in Kotor, I hope these tips help you find the best things to do in Kotor Montenegro. Looking for more European travel tips? Check out these other blog posts:

Ten Things About Croatian Culture that Shock Visitors

Posted on June 12, 2020June 8, 2020 by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re in Vis, Croatia! We love to help travelers prepare for their vacations, and other than telling you the best things to do, we love to share the things that will shock you upon arriving in a new destination. Today we’re sharing the top ten travel shocks of Croatian culture.

Croatia Culture Shock #1: The Stone Beaches

The beaches of Croatia look so inviting, but you’ll get the first shock of your Croatia vacation when you step barefoot on to a beach. They are not soft, sandy beaches. Croatia beaches have small stones, rocks and pebbles…and they hurt your feet! Make sure you bring some water shoes.

Watch: Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Visiting Croatia

Croatia Culture Shock #2: Number of Tourists in Dubrovnik

When you visit the historic center of Dubrovnik, you’ll be shocked at how many tourists they can fit into town. The cruise ships arrive in the morning, releasing thousands of passengers into Dubrovnik for the day. If you aren’t visiting Dubrovnik on a cruise, you can enjoy how quiet the town gets in the evening, after the cruise ships depart.

Croatia Culture Shock #3: Historic Stone Cities

Croatia has beautiful stone cities, with so much history. Dubrovnik still has the city walls you can walk on, Šibenik has St. James Cathedral, and Split where the historic city was built inside of a Roman palace, and many cities with narrow, winding cobblestone streets. Croatia has seven UNESCO World Heritage Sites, many of them in the historic city centers.

Croatia Culture Shock #4: Architecture in Croatia

It’s really cool to see how various architectural influences show up in Croatia. The Venetians ruled for a time, so there is a lot of Italian influence, and even a Colosseum. In Zagreb, you can see the Hapsburg influence which is reminiscent of Austrian architecture. It’s an interesting way to follow the history of Croatia, through the architecture.

Croatia Culture Shock #5: Intense Heat & Sun in Summer

It can easily reach 100 degrees in Croatia in the summer, and it’s oppressively hot. Visiting Croatia in the shoulder seasons is the way to have good weather in Croatia. You’ll also have fewer tourists to content with, too. There are a ton of mosquitos in the summer, too, so the best time to visit Croatia is spring or fall, for milder temperatures.

Rovinj with the boys on our first visit to Croatia.

Croatia Culture Shock #6: National Pride

The Croatians are so proud of their country, and they take really good care of it. It’s not just national pride, but regional and local pride as well. Most Croatians are very proud of their hometown and they’ll tell you it’s the best city in Croatia. Historic areas and museums of Croatia are really well preserved and well cared for. On that note, do not call this area Yugoslavia; Croatia became independent in 1991, so it hasn’t been “Yugoslavia” for a very long time.

Croatia Culture Shock #7: Excellent Tourism Infrastructure

The tourist infrastructure in Croatia is fantastic; not just in the most popular areas. There are tons of buses and ferries to help you travel around Croatia. There are lots of restaurants and hotels in Croatia, and tons of nightclubs, too.

Croatia Culture Shock #8: English is Widely Spoken

With so much tourism in Croatia, there are many English speakers in Croatia. It’s shocking how well many Croatians speak English. It is very easy to travel in Croatia, even if you don’t speak the local language.

Watch: Learn Croatian: Top Ten Croatian Words for Tourists

Croatia Culture Shock #9: Natural Beauty in Croatia

It’s not just beautiful women! There is so much natural beauty in Croatia, it’s really shocking! The coastline and the islands are magnificent, then there are mountains and waterfalls, and the Lake District. This all combined makes Croatia one of the most beautiful countries in the world.

Croatia Culture Shock #10: Cost of a Croatia Vacation

After reading and seeing for yourself how awesome Croatia is, with UNESCO World Heritage Sites, beaches, islands, mountains, waterfalls and history, you will be shocked to find out how affordable a Croatia vacation can be. This is what makes Croatia great; it’s so much more affordable than other places in Europe, so many Europeans vacation here in the summer.

We hope these ten shocks of Croatian culture make you want to visit Croatia, and lessen the shocks you have upon arrival. Have you taken a Croatia vacation? We’d love to hear what shocked you; just leave a comment below! For more Wolters World travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos:

Best Things to See Along the Croatia Dalmatian Coast

Posted on June 9, 2020June 8, 2020 by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about the Dalmatian Coast Croatia. With destinations like Split, Trogir, Korčula, and more, there are a ton of cool things to see and do along the Dalmatian Coast. Split, Croatia is a great central location along the Croatia Dalmatian Coast. Split is the perfect home base for most of these destinations, and you can easily take day trips from there by ferry, bus, or taxi.

Saint Domnius Cathedral & Diocletian’s Palace

One of the most popular attractions in Split is Diocletian’s Palace and the Saint Domnius Cathedral. There is a lot of history here that’s tied to the Roman Empire, and the Palace is a great place to learn about it. An entire city was built within the walls of the palace. Today, there are tons of small little alleyways to explore in what was once the palace.

The interior square of the palace complex is one of my favorite places in Split. It sits at the base of the bell tower, surrounded by Roman columns. It’s a great place to start your exploration of the city. You’ll soon see why Diocletian’s Palace is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Split Museums

The locals have a lot of pride in their history and their city. As a result, there are a lot of smaller, niche museums to visit. There’s the City Museum, an Ethnographic Museum, as well as several art galleries. Ivan Meštrović is one of the most famous Croatian artists; the sculptor is from Croatia, and several of his statues can be seen around Split. There’s now even a Game of Thrones museum for fans of the series.

Split Nightlife

Like many Mediterranean beach towns, Split has a lot going on at night as well. There are tons of restaurants and bars along the Riva, which is the beachfront promenade of Split. Many other villages along the Dalmatian Coast can be sleepy, so if you’re looking for things to do after the sun goes down, Split is an excellent choice.

Getting Around Split

Split is relatively small, so it’s easy to get around. It is a stop for many Mediterranean cruise ships, so the harbor is also where the bus station and the train station are located. You can easily take a bus to or from the airport to get into the city. From the harbor, it’s very easy to grab a ferry to explore some of the Dalmatian Coast islands.

views around croatia — Some views around the Dalmatin Coast.

Dalmatian Coast Beaches

Croatia is quickly becoming a beach destination, with beautiful beaches all along the coast as well as on nearby Dalmatian Islands. These aren’t soft, sandy beaches, so make sure you bring your water shoes to save your feet! There are beaches up and down the coast, so take a few days to find your favorite.

The Don’ts of Visiting Croatia

What to Eat on the Dalmatian Coast

The food here is good, and there are a few local things you should try. We always ask the waiter what the local specialty is, as it can change from town to town, and we always want to eat what the locals are eating. Of course, pizza and gelato are pretty good in Croatia, too!

Black Risotto made from squid ink
Homemade Gnocchi
Soparnik, a savory Croatian pie with Swiss Chard inside
Seafood, including locally-grown mussels

Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Visiting Croatia

Day Trip from Split to Trogir

For a short day trip from Split, head to the yachting town of Trogir. It’s a small town, and most cruise ships will stop here for a couple of hours to let travelers wander the streets for a bit. There are a few fun things to see if you decide to visit Trogir. There are a couple of small fortresses or castle ruins scattered around the area, including Kamerlengo Castle. Further into town, make sure you visit the cathedral to see the intricate stone carvings, as well as the bell tower, which is a cool example of many different periods of architecture.

Hiring a tour guide in Trogir is recommended, as they can really add to your visit and explain a lot of the historical significance in the architecture. From Split, it’s easy to reach Trogir by bus or taxi in just 40 minutes.

Korčula Croatia

Another beautiful destination along the Dalmatian Coast is Korčula. Not only is this one of the beautiful Dalmatian Islands, but it’s also the home of Marco Polo. In the summer, you can visit the Marco Polo house, as well as the Marco Polo Museum. The St. Mark’s Cathedral in town has some spectacular art on display, so that’s well worth a visit. The City Museum is a former home and is a good place to understand the history of the island and how life has changed for residents. The Icon Museum was one of my favorite things to see in Korčula.

There’s a great area along the city wall and the waterfront that has several restaurants. One of the best things to do in Korčula is to rent a boat or take a boat trip to see the beaches. Of course, if you are visiting on a day trip from Split, you will be on a ferry for about four hours, which leaves you just enough time to walk around town before returning to Split for the evening.

Šibenik

Another amazing spot along the Dalmatian Coast is the town of Šibenik, which is about an hour northwest of Split. One of the most famous attractions near Šibenik are the waterfalls along the Krka River. Like many small towns along the Dalmatian coast, the best thing to do is just to wander the narrow cobblestone streets and explore at your own pace. The waterfront is also lined with cafes and restaurants, so you can enjoy a wonderful view of the sea while you relax with a glass of Croatian beer.

Other things to see in Šibenik include these spots:

St. James Cathedral, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Šibenik City Museum – one of the best small-town city museums I’ve been to
St. Michael’s Fortress – summer concerts are really popular here
Gardens at St. Lawrence Monastery
Lots of children’s activities, including a small aquarium

Krka Waterfalls are the main thing to see near Šibenik, so you should absolutely make time to go see them. There are boardwalks around the falls, so you can walk around to see them from different angles. You’ll be in the sun, so don’t forget a hat and sunscreen! The falls are about 25 minutes from town, so you can drive, take a bus, or sign up for a tour from Šibenik.

Most travelers pass right through Šibenik en route to the waterfalls, so it’s really a nice town to explore, and much more affordable than some of the other areas along the Dalmatian Coast.

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These are just some of my favorite spots along the Dalmatian Coast. There are lots of cool places to explore in Croatia, as well as nearby Montenegro and Slovenia. While less popular than nearby Italy, Croatia tourism is growing every year, so we suggest going sooner rather than later! Want more travel tips for Croatia and the Mediterranean? Check out some of our other blog posts:

What Not to Do When You Visit Dubrovnik

Posted on March 11, 2020March 9, 2020 by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit Dubrovnik, Croatia. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Dubrovnik, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do during your Dubrovnik vacation!

Don’t Expect To Have Dubrovnik To Yourself

The secret is out. Dubrovnik is awesome! But it’s pretty much always full of tourists, especially on days when the cruise ships are in port. Unless you visit Dubrovnik in winter, expect to deal with a lot of tours and crowds of tourists.

Dubrovnik tourist information — Dubrovnik is worth it even if there are tons of tourists.

Don’t Forget to Pack Good Walking Shoes

You’ll do a lot of walking when you visit Dubrovnik. The cobblestone streets require comfortable shoes. If it’s raining the pavers can get really slick, so you want to have shoes with a good grip so you’re not slipping and falling all over. Walking the city walls is one of the best things to do in Dubrovnik, and you’ll be glad you have good shoes when climbing those steps!

Five Rules for What Shoes to Wear in Europe

Don’t Plan to Spend Euros

Many cruise ship passengers make the mistake of only bringing Euros to spend because they are coming from other Euro countries. However, Croatia still uses Kuna, so you can get some of the local currency when you arrive. Many places will take credit cards, and some of the more touristy places will take Euros, but if you plan to take public transportation or buy anything from street vendors, you’ll need to have local currency.

Don’t Visit Lokrum if it’s Windy

One of the best day trips from Dubrovnik is to visit the island of Lokrum. It’s about a 15-minute ferry ride from Dubrovnik, but it can be a torturous trip if it’s windy. Check the weather and save it for a day when there are calmer seas, or make sure you have your seasickness medication.

Tips for Avoiding Seasickness

Dubrovnik vacation information — Yes, those steps are worth exploring.

Don’t Forget to Pack Water Shoes

Croatia is known for its beautiful beaches, but they aren’t soft, sandy beaches. The beaches are actually made up of pebbles, so going barefoot can be a painful day at the beach. Water shoes are a real lifesaver for the beaches in Croatia.

Don’t Skip the Museums and Churches

A lot of people visit Dubrovnik and spend their time walking around and walking on the walls. Many people, especially if only visiting for the day, don’t actually go into any of the museums and churches. It’s easy to rush past them when you’re trying to see it all. But there are some great museums and churches in Dubrovnik. If you buy the Dubrovnik card, you can get access to some of them. Check out the Maritime Museum, the Franciscan Monastery, and the Dominican Monastery.

Don’t Miss Out on the Back Alleys and Stairways

It’s tempting to stay in the main area where all the other tourists are, but there are some great spots hidden in the back alleyways of Dubrovnik. If you’ve worn your good walking shoes, go ahead and see what’s at the top of that staircase. As a bonus, the restaurants get cheaper and more authentic the farther you go from the main square.

Croatia travel — Day trips, new currency, and a back ally, what more do you need.

Don’t Worry About Finding Dubrovnik Hotels

Unless you visit in peak tourist season of June, July, and August, you don’t need to worry too much about finding Dubrovnik hotels to stay in. In addition to hotels and bed and breakfasts, there are plenty of rooms to rent in Dubrovnik.

Don’t Expect Your Cruise Ship to Wait For You

If you visit Dubrovnik on a cruise, be mindful of what time you have to be back to the cruise port in Dubrovnik. Your ship will not wait for you if you are late. There are tons of videos online of people who were left behind by their cruise ship. If you miss the boat, you’ll have to catch up with it at the next port, at your own expense.

Dubrovnik is a great city in Croatia, whether you’re visiting as part of a cruise, or spending a few days in Croatia. When you do visit Dubrovnik, don’t forget to chat with the locals! I hope this helps you know some of the things to avoid doing on your Dubrovnik vacation. Looking for more tips on visiting Croatia? Check out these blog posts!

What Not to Do On Your Cruise Ship Vacation

Posted on January 29, 2020January 26, 2020 by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you take a cruise ship vacation. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do on a cruise, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do during your cruise ship vacation!

Don’t Assume All Cruise Lines are the Same

Just because two cruise ship companies offer similar itineraries, it does not mean they are the same. The itinerary and the ports of call are only part of what you want to look for in a cruise vacation. You should also look at the size of the boat and the maximum number of passengers you’ll be traveling with. The excursion choices can also be different from ship to ship. It’s important to find the best cruise ship for your travel style.

Don’t Arrive the Same Day as Your Cruise Departure

If you are flying into your port city for the cruise, don’t plan to arrive the same day that your cruise is leaving. Most cruises leave late in the afternoon, so it can be tempting to book a morning flight and save a night in a hotel. However, if there are any delays with your flights or baggage, the cruise ship is not going to wait for you. You can meet it at the next port, but it will be at your own expense. Arriving a day early allows you a bit of time to get into vacation mode and adjust to any time or climate change as well.

what not to do on a cruise — The don’ts of cruising

Don’t Lose Your Cruise Ship ID

Of course, you don’t want to lose your passport or driver’s license, but you will get an identification card or wristband that becomes your ID for the duration of the cruise. You’ll need this to board the boat, and it will also be used to pay for things on the ship. It might also work as your room key. If they give you an audioguide for tours, don’t lose that either, as you will have to pay to replace it.

Don’t Skip Orientation

On the first day aboard, there will be an orientation for all cruise ship passengers. Don’t skip it, especially if it’s your first cruise. Not only will this orientation give you important safety and emergency procedures, but you’ll also learn about the dining hours and locations, and excursion information.

Don’t Assume the Price is All-Inclusive

Some cruise lines bundle everything into one price, which is really convenient and helpful for budgeting for your cruise vacation. But not all cruise ships do this. Some companies will have additional packages you can purchase which include bottled water or upgraded drinks and soft drinks. You will have to do some research on a la carte pricing vs package pricing to see what works best for you.

family cruise tips — Cruise vacations can be quite fun for the family

Don’t Feel Like You Have to Take the Cruise Line Excursions

Your cruise will come with a wide variety of excursions you can add on to your package. Some cruise lines have excellent guides and tours, but others may seem overpriced, or may not fit your travel style. You can always book excursions on your own, or just go ashore and wander the towns at your own pace.

Seven Reasons to Hire a Private Tour Guide

Don’t Feel Like You Have to Take an Excursion Every Day

You may feel pressured to make the most of your cruise vacation and fill up your itinerary with daily excursions. It’s not hard to get burned out on being shuffled around on tours day after day. It’s totally OK to just chill out on the boat for the day, or roam around town on your own. You might actually really enjoy relaxing on the boat while the rest of the passengers are gone. This is even more important if you are cruising with kids.

Don’t Miss Your Boat!

Just like the original departure day, if you are off wandering a port of call on your own, or with another tour agency, it’s your responsibility to make sure you are back on the boat in time. The boat will not wait for you and you will have to get yourself to the next port on your own. The larger your ship, the less likely they are to wait for you if you are running a few minutes behind. Give yourself plenty of time to get back to the boat.

cruise vacation information — Captain, what should I do with my hands?

Don’t Be Afraid to Ask for Help

The people who work on the boat are there to help you. They want to help you, so don’t be afraid to ask them for help or even if you just have random questions that you’ve been wondering about. Whether you aren’t feeling well or have dietary restrictions, be sure to let the staff know and they will go out of their way to accommodate you.

Don’t Expect to Get Along With Everyone on the Cruise

Whether you’re on a small ship or a mega-cruise line, you probably won’t get along with everyone. This happens in any kind of group travel situation. If you foresee a huge issue, especially with your dining group, you can always ask to change tables. It could even be a language barrier with your table mates.

Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Package Tours

Don’t Smuggle Contraband On-Board

As with airlines, most cruise lines will have a list of things you can’t bring on board. Some of it is for safety reasons. You might think you’ll want a candle to freshen up your small cabin, but anything flammable is a big “no” on a boat. You might be wondering can you bring alcohol on a cruise. There are usually rules about bringing alcohol or even soft drinks and water. Sometimes you can’t bring anything to drink, other ships will allow you a certain amount, one or two bottles of wine, for example. Of course, weapons and drugs are always prohibited.

Cruising can be a fun way to travel if you do your research and pick the best cruise ship that fits with your travel style. They take care of everything, so a cruise ship vacation can be incredibly relaxing. Hopefully, this post gives you a good start on researching the perfect cruise ship vacation for you! Looking for more of our family travel tips? Check out these blog posts!

5 Things You Will Love & Hate about Visiting Croatia

Posted on October 20, 2019October 15, 2019 by Mark Wolters

Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we visit Croatia! It’s a beautiful country that is well worth checking out. As you know, here at Wolters World, we like to prepare travelers with the good, and the bad, of visiting a new travel destination. So these are the five things you’ll love, and the five things you’ll hate when you visit Croatia.

Love #1: Natural Beauty in Croatia

Most of Croatia is comprised of coastline. The main coastline is over 1,100 miles long, and then there are the islands of Croatia, with an additional 2,500 miles of coastline. There are tons of amazing beaches, albeit stone beaches, but Croatia beaches are beautiful nonetheless. If you don’t like the beach, just head inland to explore lakes, rivers, waterfalls, and mountains.

Hate #1: Getting to Croatia

Getting to Croatia is pretty easy in July and August, but if you want to visit Croatia in the off-season, it’s challenging. There are ferries that go from Venice to Croatia year-round, but the selection of flights decreases greatly in the offseason. It’s still possible to fly to Croatia, but the frequency of flights is reduced and therefore more expensive. Low-cost carriers tend to really focus on the busy season only, which is summer.

Love #2: Villages of Croatia

Croatia has so many great villages to explore. From Dubrovnik in the south to Pula and Rovinj in the north, there are just tons of quaint villages in Croatia. In addition to natural beauty, there are also really interesting Roman ruins and history in Croatia. The seaside towns are especially fun to visit, and you can easily fill an entire vacation just exploring the small towns of Croatia.

Hate #2: Getting Around Croatia

Once you figure out how to get to Croatia, getting around the country is another frustration. It seems like just about every bus trip takes 11 hours in Croatia. Croatia is basically a long, narrow country so traveling within Croatia often involves great distances, even though the country doesn’t seem very large. It can take as long as 12 hours to go from Dubrovnik to Zagreb. Because the bus system in Croatia is pretty slow, we recommend getting your own car for travel within the country.

Everything You Need to Know About Renting a Car in Europe

Love #3: Food in Croatia

The seafood in Croatia is about as fresh as it gets and is always delicious. If you don’t like fish, the meat in Croatia is pretty great also! Popular dishes in Croatia include surf and turf combinations and the food is also very affordable. You can also get some pretty good Italian dishes in Croatia as well. Wherever you go, be sure to ask your server what the local specialty is and give it a shot. This way, you can sample different foods from different regions of Croatia.

Hate #3: Summer Tourist Crowds

Most travelers take their Croatia vacation in July and August when the weather is ideal for beaches and island hopping in Croatia. With so many beautiful outdoor things to do in Croatia, summer is really popular. The small towns of Croatia get super crowded and become overflowing with travelers. The best time to visit Croatia would be June or September when the weather is still nice, but the tourist crowds are much smaller.

Love #4: Prices in Croatia

Croatia is a very affordable Mediterranean destination. I won’t say it’s cheap, but the prices in Croatia are very reasonable. A huge seafood dinner in Croatia is about half the price of what you would pay in Italy. Accommodation in Croatia is also very reasonable; we had a nice apartment in Rovinj for just 50 Euros per night.

10 Best Affordable Cities in Europe

Hate #4: Summer Heat

In the middle of summer when everyone is visiting, it also happens to be the hottest time of year in Croatia. It’s not just hot, it’s unbearably hot. It’s important to remember your sunblock and stay hydrated. Fortunately, there are a lot of water activities where you can cool off. However, this is another great reason to visit in the shoulder season as you might have a smaller chance of heatstroke!

Love #5: Croatia Tourism

The tourist infrastructure in Croatia is really great. While traveling between towns in Croatia can be a bit difficult, but once you are in a town, they are really easy to get around. There are a lot of English speakers, so language barriers are not an issue. There are tons of tours you can join, from bike tours to kayaking tours. Each little town seems to have its own schedule of cultural events and celebrations. The locals are generally very friendly and helpful, which really makes it easy to travel around Croatia.

Hate #5: Currency in Croatia

Croatia is still on its own currency, the Croatian Kuna. If you are traveling around Mediterranean Europe and have gotten used to using Euros for everything, you’ll have to exchange your Euros and learn a new exchange rate. Overall, Croatia is pretty affordable, but just remember you’re not looking at Euros anymore when you are out shopping.

Croatia is a fantastic country and they really have a great infrastructure for tourists. I highly recommend visiting Croatia; the “hates” are really just little things to have a heads up on, rather than a reason not to visit Croatia. Want more tips for planning your Croatia vacation? Check out these other blog posts:

13 Things Tourists Should Not Do in Croatia

Posted on January 20, 2019May 9, 2019 by admin

Croatia Tips: 13 Don’ts of Visiting Croatia

Greetings from Hvar, Croatia, one of the beautiful islands along the Dalmatian Coast. There are many things you must do in Croatia, like visiting Split and Dubrovnik and Pula, but today we are sharing the “don’ts” of visiting Croatia.

Croatia Tip #1 Don’t Think Croatians are Fighting When Conversing

Croatian is a brusque, loud language. It has the brusqueness of German, with the emphasis and energy of Italian. To unknowing tourists, two Croatian friends catching up can almost sound like they are arguing.

Watch: Top Ten Words in Croatian for Tourists

Croatia Tip #2 Don’t Bring up the War with Serbia

The early 90’s war for Independence, or the Last War, is still really fresh in the mind of Croatians. It’s a painful subject best left untouched.

Croatia Tip #3 Don’t Call Croatia Yugoslavia

Yugoslavia has been gone for a long time now, so it’s time to use the correct terms for these countries. Younger travelers don’t have this issue, because it’s been Croatia for a long time, but those who remember Yugoslavia have a tendency to mix them up.

Croatia Tip #4 Don’t Disparage Croatia

Croatians are a very proud nation, so visitors should take care not to disparage anything about Croatia, even jokingly. There is much to be proud of in Croatia: from football teams to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, to islands and cuisine and a cappella singing. However, there are small things that may be annoying, like rocky beaches, but don’t bring this up with the locals.

Croatia Tip #5 Don’t Expect Sandy Beaches

The beaches in Croatia are beautiful, with crystal clear water, but many of the beaches are stone beaches, not sandy beaches. Water shoes are a great idea when packing for your Croatia trip.

Watch: Five Things You’ll Love & Hate About Croatia

Croatia Tip #6 Don’t Forget Sunblock and Bug Spray

If the beach is on your agenda, don’t forget the sunblock. The sun is very strong here, and it can get to be over 100 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. It’s important to stay hydrated, and protect your skin. They also have mosquitos and other biting bugs in the summer, so bug spray is a good idea.

Croatia Tip #7 Don’t Expect Fast Public Transportation.

Croatia has an interesting shape, with a long coastline area and a large continental area. The main transport mode for getting around Croatia are the buses, or ferries if you’re visiting the islands. Some distances may seem close, but mountainous terrain and islands can be deceiving, and may take much longer. In the winter months, ferry schedules are drastically cut back.

Croatia Tip #8 Don’t Skip the Local Museums

Croatia has amazing history, and seven UNESCO World Heritage sites, and so much natural beauty. In addition to all the “big” sites, our family loves the small, local museums in Croatia. Visiting these smaller museums is a great way to meet the locals who work there and hear first-hand why they are so proud of their country.

Croatia Tip #9 Don’t Skip the Local Cuisine

You’ll see a lot of pizza and pasta around Croatia, as there is a heavy Italian influence. But Croatia also has a lot of really great food. Being on the ocean, the seafood in Croatia is fantastic. Our favorite is getting a fish plate, which comes with all different kinds of seafood piled up. There’s also great meat and salad options in Croatia.

Croatia Tip #10 Don’t Expect to Pay in Euros

Croatia uses the Croatian Kuna, not the Euro, even though Croatia is in the European Union. This is a common misconception, so you’ll even see signs at businesses reminding travelers that they do not take Euros.

Croatia Tip #11 Don’t Forget to Tip

Tipping in Croatia is 10% of your restaurant bill.

Watch: Tipping in Croatia

Croatia Tip #12 Don’t Worry if You Don’t Speak Croatian

Tourists have been visiting Croatia for hundreds of years. They know how to treat tourists. The tourist infrastructure is really good, and there’s no trouble finding someone who can speak English as it’s very common.

Croatia Tip #13 Don’t Turn Down a Local Invitation to Enjoy Traditional Treats

if someone offers you dried figs, or Rakia, the local homemad liquor, don’t pass up the opportunity. It’s a welcoming gesture, and a good way to chat with the locals.

These are our travel “dont’s” for Croatia. These Croatia tips will help you enjoy your visit to this amazing country. For more of our travel tips, check out these blog posts and videos: