Archive for February, 2010
February 26th, 2010 | 
Author: Jadrolinija may have its problems, but VeneziaLines is right on target in releasing its catamaran schedules from Venice to Piran, Porec, Pula, Rovinj and Rabac. Service starts in early April and runs to the beginning of October on some lines. See the schedules and book online here.
Posted in 
Tags: 
On their website today, Jadrolinija stated that the February ferry schedules are good through March 7. That’s good if you’re planning a trip to Croatia next week but unhelpful if your trip is later on.
What gives? A Jadrolinija spokesperson indicated to me last month that the state-owned company was awaiting government approval for proposed ferry lines for the rest of 2010. That approval is taking much longer than I would have expected so I contacted the Ministry responsible for handling sea traffic.
In response, I received an email politely pointing out that the original intention was to approve a schedule valid for the entire year but that “serious problems” with the state budget made it impossible to cover such a yearly schedule. The issue should be resolved in the “nearest future”.
What does that mean? I think it may mean fewer ferries to various Croatian islands, especially to less-visited islands. Notice that the coastal ferry, which has been chugging up and down the coast twice a week for about 40 years has been suspended through May. Clearly, a financially-strapped government is looking to economize as much as possible without damaging its vital tourist business.
All we can do is watch and wait.
Taxis in Zagreb are among the most expensive in Europe; the meter drops at 19 kuna (almost 3 euros). That should change soon.
Taxi Cammeo has long operated in Rijeka, offering a five km trip for only 20 kuna, and now the company plans to move in on the Zagreb market.
“How can this work?” say irate taxi drivers in Zagreb. They claim that there are already too many taxis for too few people. True, but maybe that’s because Zagreb taxis are TOO EXPENSIVE for the average Croatian!
The company faced substantial hurdles in entering the protected Zagreb market but finally succeeded in overcoming opposition. On October 1 the new taxi fleet will be navigating Zagreb streets.
See more on Zagreb transport.
I don’t know about you but I find it reassuring to be able to hit the tourist office as soon as I arrive in my destination. Maps, hotel bookings, general orientation: there’s always plenty of enlightenment to be found in a tourist office.
Now flight-born visitors to Zagreb can enjoy the same convenience. The Zagreb tourist office has just opened a branch at Zagreb Airport. The working hours are:
Mon-Fri 8.30am-4.30pm; Sat and Sun 10am-4pm
The tourist office publishes several helpful brochures and also distributes a free street map of Zagreb.
Bad news for those planning to use Jadrolinija’s coastal ferry this spring. Word has come that Jadrolinija will not re-start the route until the end of May.
A loyal fan of Croatia Traveller contacted Jadrolinija today about the ferry route and received this response:
In ref to your inquiry, we regret to advise you that there won’t be a line from Split to Dubrovnik until 29.05. The Coastal line ferry has been withdrawn until may 29th.
Remember that you heard it here first. Subscribe to Croatia Ferries news by email and you’ll get instant notification of all changes to Croatia ferries.
RSS
