Croatia Travel Blog

Just in time for the summer season in Croatia, Gordan Jerbic, head of the veterinary section at Croatia’s agriculture ministry has banned foreign tourists from bringing their own meat and dairy products into the country.  The ban is effective immediately. Ostensibly implemented “in line with European objectives”  in assuring food safety, it’s interesting that the ban only applies to foreign tourists. Croatians accustomed to loading up their shopping carts with cheaper Italian or Austrian products should have no problem.

Is the issue food safety or the influx of Eastern European tourists who come in caravans laden with their holiday food supply? In fact, Croatians have been grumbling for years about former Soviet bloc visitors who stream into the country and spend no money except for Autocamp fees. “If customs officers are consistent in checking people on borders, it could have some negative impact,” said Jan Papez, spokesman for the Association of Czech Travel Agents.

 As Mr. Papez surely knows, this measure is aimed squarely at his clients who could not otherwise afford a Croatian holiday. See more on travel costs in Croatia.

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This week’s Telegraph, had a magnificent spread on travel to Croatia with sections devoted to where to stay, activites, and holiday planning. After wading through all the pages, I can say that their listings were certainly comprehensive; every single tour operator in the UK with a Croatia program this year appears to have been mentioned.

Missing was any mention of small, local operators that offer specialized knowledge at a reasonable price.  Hvar Adventure is one of the more intriguing of the local agencies. The young group– Dean, Riccardo, Veselka, Damir and Josko–is based on Hvar Island and have eons of experience in hiking, trekking and sailing. From guided treks across Hvar’s lavender-scented interior to romantic sunset cruises, Hvar Adventure can help you experience the real Hvar Island, away from the well-beaten tourist track. Here’s a sampling of their 2008 program:

• one week sailing school

• two days, one day, half-day or sunset sailing cruises

• Sea kayaking excursions from a half-day to a week

• Hikes from one-day to a week

• evening wine-tasting tour

• a multi-activity week

• a five-day short break with sailing, kayaking and hiking

Reliable, responsible and dynamic, Hvar Adventure can create an unforgettable holiday in Hvar.

Read more on Croatia Traveller’s Hvar Adventure page or go directly to the Hvar Adventure website.

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A new tour company, Secret Dalmatia, based in Split is offering an exciting array of luxury tours for the 2008 season. There are custom-tailored itineraries, special romantic tours for honeymooners plus  sailing holidays on fully skippered yachts that take you through Croatia’s islands with  knowledgeable local experts. And that’s not all! If your passion is photography, there’s a photo tour. Love the pleasures of the palate? Discover the region’s best wineries or take a gastronomic tour of Dalmatia’s finest kitchens. Active travel? This dynamic young company can arrange for your hiking, trekking, rafting or scuba diving adventure. The service and accommodation is first-class all the way.  The name says it all: Secret Dalmatia takes you off the beaten track for an unforgettable vacation.

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