Page 268 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Croatia
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266      SUR VIV AL  GUIDE

       Travelling with Children
       Tourist complexes such as large
       hotels and resorts usually
       provide facilities for children,
       such as playgrounds, pools and
       babysitting services. However,
       these may be harder to find
       in smaller towns and inland
       regions less visited by tourists.
         When travelling with Croatia
       Airlines on domestic flights,
       children under 2 years of age go
       free, while those between 2 and
       12 years of age get a 50 per cent
       discount. Children are also
       entitled to a 50 per cent
       reduction in tickets prices for   A secluded beach on the Dalmatian coast
       most state-run museums.
                           International group (www.  a gospođa (a married woman)
                           hihostels.com) and if you plan to   or a gospođica (a young
       Gay and Lesbian     stay in these it is worth joining   single woman).
       Travellers
                           and acquiring a membership     Greetings vary for the
       Homosexuality is still rather   card before setting off.  different times of the day: dobro
       taboo in Croatia. Same-sex     An International Student   jutro (good morning), dobar dan
       couples should refrain from   Identity Card (www.isic.org)   (good afternoon or good day),
       public displays of affection so    entitles you to discounts on   dobra večer (good evening), laku
       as not to cause offence. You    travel expenses such as 25 per   noć (good night). Bok (hi) and
       can find out more at www.  cent off train tickets.  ciao are informal greetings.
       friendlycroatia.com.                    Doviđenja is commonly used to
                                               say goodbye to people you are
                           What to Take/Wear   not familiar with.
       Travelling on a Budget
                           In summer you will need light     For polite requests use molim
       Low-cost accommodation is   cotton clothing with a jacket or   (please) and hvala (thank you).
       available in most destinations in   pullover for the evenings, plus   For more vocabulary, see the
       the form of youth hostels and   swimwear. In winter you will   Phrase Book (pp295–6).
       private rooms to rent. Decent   need woollen jumpers and a
       youth hostels can be found in   warm coat. Also be sure to pack
       the cities of Zagreb, Split,   at least one pair of decent   Naturism
       Dubrovnik, Rijeka, Pula, Zadar   walking shoes as some of the   Croatia is a popular country for
       and Šibenik, as well as on the   medieval towns have unevenly   naturism, where it is practised
       islands of Hvar and Lošinj. Some,   paved or cobbled streets.  freely at designated places and
       but not all, come under the     Although it is rarely neces sary   resorts that are outstanding for
       Croatian Youth Hostel   to dress in formal clothes, clothes   their quality and high standards.
       Association (www.hfhs.hr)   which are neat and tidy will be   Naturism has a very long tradition
       umbrella group. Many hostels   appreciated. For example, trainers   in Croatia. In fact, the first vacation
       are part of the Hostelling   are not suitable for dining in an   resort for naturists was opened
                           upmarket restaurant.  in Rajska plaža (Paradise beach)
                             Croatia is quite a religious   on the island of Rab in 1934.
                           country, so, when visiting     Today there are many nudist
                           churches, make sure you have   beaches that are marked “FKK”
                           your thighs and shoulders   (German for “free body culture”).
                           covered (that goes for both   There are about 20 official
                           men and women).     naturist resorts offering
                                               accommodation along the
                                               Croatian coast (mainly in the
                           Forms of Greeting
                                               form of camping). The majority
                           Croatians tend to be quite   are in Istria and some even have
                           reserved with strangers.   Blue Flag (clean beach) status.
                           Attempting a few words in    These places are app ropriately
                           the local language will be   screened, allowing guests to
                           appreciated. The forms used   enjoy the absolute freedom and
                           vary according to the person   peace the sur rounding nature
       Conventional clothing should be worn   you are addressing: he or    has to offer. British tour
       when visiting churches  she may be a gospodin (a man),   operators offering naturist




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