Zagreb is the capital of Croatia, one of Europe's youngest countries a parliamentary democracy that adopted its constitution in 1990 and was internationally recognized in 1992. It is geographically, culturally and historically in the very heart of Europe.

LANGUAGE
The official language is Croatian. Many people, especially young speak English.

WEATHER
Inland Croatia has a continental climate, warm in summer, cold in winter. In Zagreb temperature can easy reach 34°C (90°F) in high summer (June-August) and in winter to -14°C (6°F). From early March temperatures start to rise.
April can be wet with mild temperature, about 13°C-17°C (45°F).

TIME DIFFERENCES
GTM (Greenwich Mean Time) + one hour. During March to October, GTM + two hours.

ELECTRICITY
The voltage in Croatia is 220 V, 50 Hz, which is the same as the rest of Europe.

CURRENCY & EXCHANGE
The basic Croatian currency unit is KUNA.
Coins are 1, 2 KUNA; coin and paper bill: 5 KUNA, paper bills: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 KUNA.
1 KUNA contains 100 LIPA. Coins are 1,2,5,10,20 and 50.
Foreign Currency can be exchanged for local money in banks, official exchange offices, post offices, etc.

BANKING HOURS
Many bank branches and exchange offices are normally open from 8 a.m. to 7-p.m. non-stop (Monday-Friday), and from 8 a.m. to 12 noon (Saturdays).
Most of the banks have cash machines (ATMs), which operate 24 hours a day.
At the Airport, banks are open every day (including Sunday and holidays) from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

POST OFFICE
Post boxes are yellow in Croatia and the times of collections are indicated on the box.
The main Post Office in Zagreb is on Jurišićeva 13, with opening hours from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday- Friday and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

OPENING HOURS
Government offices work from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Most shops and department stores are open non-stop, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

TIPPING
A "service charge" is already included in restaurant bills, but it is customary to "round up" the bill in a restaurant (but not if you just have a drink).
For special services rendered by hotel personnel usually expect tips between 10-50 KUNA.

TAX-FREE SHOPING
Tourist whose purchases exceed 500 KUNA may claim a PDV (VAT) return for all goods except petroleum products when leaving the country with TAX CHEQUE receipts verified by the Croatian Customs Office. Time limit for tax refunds is one year.

CREDIT CARDS
All major credit cards like: American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard/Master Card, Visa, JCB and Eurocheques are advertised at points of sale, are normally accepted throughout Croatia.

LIQUOR LAWS
The minimum legal drinking age in Croatia is 18 years.

TELEPHONE
Public telephone boxes accept only phone cards available in post-offices and convenience stores.

ZAGREB AIR PORT
Zagreb International Airport at Pleso is about 30 minutes away from the city center by car and can be reached by bus or taxi. Croatia Airlines operate a bus service from Zagreb bus station, which runs half-hourly to hourly from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. time of departure depend upon flights. Return buses from the airport are on about the same schedule.
Taxi price from the airport to the city center varies between 150-200 KUNA.

EMBASSIES AND CONSULATES
There is a listing at www.mvp.hr

MORE INFORMATION:
Zagreb Tourist Board, web address: www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr