Croatia Travel Blog

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.

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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.

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It’s been a long time since visitors to Dubrovnik could take a cable car to the top of Srd Hill. The highly popular cable car was destroyed in the 1991 bombardment of Dubrovnik leaving no access but a winding road to the top of the hill overlooking Dubrovnik. During the 1980s there was a popular disco  at the top of the 405m-high hill, lodged in the “Imperial Fortress” built by Napoleon in 1808. Since then, the area has fallen into neglect.

In less than five months though, the cable car will again be in operation as part of a plan to turn the top of  Srd Hill into a conference and entertainment complex. There will be two terraces with panoramic views and an outdoor amphitheater seating 250 people. There may eventually be a golf course but one thing is sure: with visibility up to 60km, the view on a clear day will be staggering.

See more about what to see in Dubrovnik.