Monday, 08 February 2010

 

For sponsorship and exhibition opportunities, please contact Lizzie at lizzie@epda.eu.com 

Don't Stop Me Now

EPDA 7th euroYapmeet Conference

4 - 5 October, Zagreb, Croatia

Travel & Accommodation

Zagreb is the capital and the largest city of the Republic of Croatia. Situated between the southern slopes of the Medvednica mountain and along the banks of the Sava River, in the northern part of Croatia, Zagreb is a cultural, academic and economic hub and is the seat of the central government, administrative bodies and almost all government ministries of Croatia.

Its favorable geographic position in the southwestern part of the Pannonian Basin, which extends to the Alpine, Dinaric, Adriatic and Pannonic regions, provides an excellent transport connections between Central Europe and the Adriatic Sea.

With a history dating back nearly a thousand years, the city is rich in historical monuments, museums and galleries offering its visitors the Baroque feel of the Upper town, picturesque open-air markets, diverse shops and delicious local cuisine, but also has many modern shops, restaurants, sport and recreation facilities and a good transport infrastructure.

Travel

Air Travel

Zagreb Airport (ZAG)

The airport is situated 10 miles (17km) southeast of Zagreb in the direction of Velika Gorica.

Facilities: The airport has a bank, duty-free shops, a post office, tourist information kiosk, and 24-hour left luggage service.

Website: www.zagreb-airport.hr

Customs Regulations: www.carina.hr/engindex.htm

Transfer to the city

A Croatia Airlines bus service connects to the city centre's bus station, leaving from outside the international arrivals hall.

The bus company is Pleso Transport Company Ltd. - www.plesoprijevoz.hr for up-to-date schedule and price information.

At time of press:

  • ZAGREB AIRPORT => ZAGREB (TERMINAL - MAIN BUS STATION) - every half hour from 7 a.m. - 8 p.m. Mon - Sun
  • ZAGREB (TERMINAL - MAIN BUS STATION) => ZAGREB AIRPORT - every half hour from 4.30* a.m. - 8 p.m. Mon - Sun

* On Thursday, Saturday and Sunday the first bus from the Terminal leaves at 5:00 am.

- One way ticket: 30 kuna (approx. €4.50)
- 20 tickets (when purchased together): 350 kuna

It takes 25 minutes to reach MAIN BUS TERMINAL ZAGREB.

The bus station is approx 1.75 km from the hotel (approx 10 mins by taxi)

The taxi journey from the Zagreb Airport to hotel takes approximately 20 min and will cost approx 30 € before 10pm.

Taxis

A taxi rank is also situated right outside the international arrivals, Zagreb Airport.

Zagreb's taxis are amongst the most expensive in the world.

Bear in mind that all the rates go up 20% from 10 p.m. until 5 a.m. (Mon-Sat) and during Sundays and national holidays (from 5 a.m. until 10 p.m.) and is added on top of the total amount showing upon the taximeter.

Taxi's that are booked in advance (phone) will start charging from the moment it arrives at the designated pickup point.

Car Rental

Car rental: Avis, Budget, Europcar and Hertz are among the rental agencies represented at the airport.

 


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Trains

Zagreb is a railway hub which has direct services to major European cities such as Vienna (6 hours), Budapest, Zurich, Munich, Berlin, Salzburg, Venice, Ljubljana, Sarajevo, Thessalonika, Belgrade as well as domestic services to all major towns (except Dubrovnik).

There is also an all-year-round overnight train (with sleeping compartments) between Zagreb and Split.

Table and pricing information can be found on the Zagreb railway website.

Travelers who are staying for several days should consider buying the Zagreb Card. It gives them unlimited travel on public transport in Zagreb, discounts at virtually all of the city’s museums, reduced prices at many restaurants, shops, and service providers and many other concessions. (See Shops below.)

Driving

Your UK driving license is valid for up to six months from entry into Croatia. International Driving Licences are not valid in Croatia.

Road conditions in and around Zagreb and the larger towns are of a generally good standard. However, you should take care when overtaking and use caution around other road users who may unexpectedly overtake repeatedly in slower traffic. Minor roads are usually unlit at night.

Croatia has laws stating that it is illegal:-

  • to drive with if you have consumed any alcohol;
  • to drive without dipped headlights on at all times; and
  • to use a mobile phone whilst driving.

It is obligatory to carry a fluorescent vest in your car whilst driving in Croatia. You must keep the vest in the car and not in the boot. You must wear the vest whilst attending to a breakdown, e.g. changing a tyre.

There have been a number of reported incidents of gangs robbing car occupants after either indicating that they are in trouble and require assistance, or pulling alongside a car and indicating that there seems to be something wrong and they should pull over. You should therefore be extremely cautious should something similar to the above actions occur.

Buses

You can reach Zagreb with a direct line from Slovenia, Italy, Austria and Germany, Czech Republic and Switzerland. Travelling by bus is very cheap, the bus network is very comprehensive, and the Zagreb coach station is situated 20 minutes walk from the city centre.

Zagreb Bus Station Information department can provide you with departure and arrival information from and to Zagreb Bus Station as well as other European cities.

 

Visas

Citizens from Australasia, EU, North America and South America are allowed into Croatia without a visa.

Everybody else needs a visa, which must be obtained before entering the republic. These cannot be obtained at any land borders.

 

Time zone

Local time is GMT +1 (GMT +2 from last Saturday in March to end October).

 

Weather

Zagreb has a continental climate with an average temperature in the summer of 20 - 30°C.

Click here for the latest forecast.

 

Electricity

 

Voltage guide: 220 V; 50 Hz.

Croatia uses the standard European 2 point plugs.

 

A few sights

St. Mark's Church

St. Mark's Church

On the roof, tiles are laid so that they represent the coat of arms of Zagreb (white castle on red background) and Triune Kingdom of Croatia, Slavonia and Dalmatia.

Tram in Jelacic square

Tram in Jelacic square

Jelacica is Zagreb's central square and meeting place. You'll wind up there sooner or later as all roads and trams seem to lead there. It's dominated by a statue of Croat hero Josip Jelacic in the centre.

Zagreb Cathedral

Zagreb Cathedral

In 1880, the cathedral was severely damaged in an earthquake. The main nave collapsed and the tower was damaged beyond repair. The restoration of the cathedral in the neogothic style was made by Hermann Bollé, bringing the cathedral to its present form.

Dolac Market

Dolac market

The market is situated north from the Jelacic Square. Colourful stalls vending fruit, vegetables and flowers set up on the raised piazza outside, while an indoor area below displays meats and dairy products. The market is especially vibrant on Friday and Saturday.

 

 

 

Accommodation

 

Accommodation is available at the venue of the 2008 EPDA euroYapmeet Conference.

Special room rates have been negotiated with the venue hotel (The Regent Esplanade) for people attending the conference subject to availability.

You can download a hotel reservation form for the Regent Esplanade and email or fax the completed form to the hotel.

Click below to download a hotel reservation form.To book online, please visit www.regenthotels.com/reservation/clearReservation.do?hotelCode=ZAGR1

The Regent Esplanade Zagreb
Mihanoviceva 1
10000 Zagreb
Croatia

www.regenthotels.com

www.theregentzagreb.com

For further suggestions on alternative 3 star accommodation, please check out the following links:

For further suggestions on alternative 4 star accommodation, please check out the following links:

For further suggestions on alternative 5 star accommodation, please check out the following links:

 

Currency

 

The Croatian currency is the Kuna (HRK), which is divided into 100 lipas.

1 HRK = 0.105 GBP

1 HRK = 0.138 EUR

Exchange rate is approximate at time of press.

For more up-to-date exchange rates and to/from other currencies: www.xe.com

Croatia is not yet part of the European Union but the euro is akready accepted in many places although the preferred currency is still the Kuna.

All important banks have their branch offices in Zagreb. Banks are open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. on work days, Monday to Friday, and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays. Zagrebačka banka. at the Zagreb Airport opens daily from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the exchange office on duty stays open until the last flight.

At the Main Railway station there is 24 hour Exchange Office.

Hotel exchange rates are usually quite poor, so you'll probably be better off changing your money in a bank or in one of numerous Bureaux de Change dotted around towns.

Shops

Zagreb CardThe Zagreb Tourist Board and Five Stars Ltd. have created the Zagreb Card for visitors to Zagreb entitling you to many discounts including unlimited travel on public transport in Zagreb, discounts at virtually all of the city’s museums, reduced prices at many restaurants, shops, and service providers and many other concessions.

The card is valid for 72 or 24 hours from the date and time entered on the card and is not transferable. Further information on obtaining a Zagreb card can be found at http://zagrebcard.fivestars.hr

Holders of the card also receive a special booklet with the list of all the establishments and the discounts available to them. The card can be bought at any of the Zagreb's Tourist Information Centers and at the reception desks of the majority of Zagreb’s hotels.

 

Language

Croatian

The Croatian language is completely phonetic – that is words are pronounced exactly as they are written.

The 8 characters you won’t find in the English Language are pronounuced as follows:

  • č is pronounced as ch in chocolate
  • ć is pronounced as ć in Višnjić. Place the tip of the tongue behind the lower front teeth and try to produce a "mixed sound" between the "ch" of "check" and the "t" (actually "ty") of British English "tune"
  • dž is pronounced as j in Jack
  • đ is pronounced as j in Jesus
  • lj is pronounced as the British English pronunciation of the "lli" in "million", i.e., with a "clear 'l'" followed by a short "y"-sound
  • nj is pronounced as the "ni" in "onion", i.e., an "n" followed by a short "y"-sound
  • š is pronounced as sh in shaman or ship
  • ž is pronounced as "s" in "measure" or "leisure" the "zh" in "Zhivago"

For more help on the language including audio clips: www.hr/hrvatska/language/index.en.htm

A few words

da - yes

ne - no

bok - bye

dobro jutro - good morning

dobar dan - good afternoon

dobro večer - good evening

laku noć - good night

hvala - thank you

Drago mi je - How do you do. Pleased to meet you.

dobar tek - bon appetit!

kafa - coffee

Vina - wine

Pivo - beer

 

 

International dialling codes

The international access code for Italy is +39.

The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom).

 

Useful telephone numbers

  • 92 Police
  • 93 Fire Brigade
  • 94 Ambulance
  • 112 Emergency Call

 

Useful links