Post by samgai on Jan 21, 2009 12:20:23 GMT 1
Europe
Croatia
Still current at: 21 January 2009
Updated: 07 November 2008
This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments throughout the advice. The overall level of the advice has not changed.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
Travel Summary Safety and security Local laws and customs Entry requirements Health General See entire profile
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel Summary
There is an underlying threat from terrorism and organised crime in Croatia. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
Unexploded land mines are still a danger. Highly populated areas and major routes are now clear of mines and are safe to visit. However, isolated areas in the mountains and countryside have not all been cleared. You should therefore be careful not to stray from roads and paved areas without an experienced guide.
Around 267,000 British nationals visit Croatia every year (Source: Croatian Ministry of the Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development). Most visits to Croatia are trouble-free. The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Croatia in 2007 were: dealing with hospitalisations (25 cases); and replacing lost or stolen passports (over 20 cases).
Carry your passport at all times. You must be able to show some form of identification if required.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is an underlying threat from terrorism and organised crime in Croatia. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
You should take sensible precautions when carrying money in busy tourist areas, where pickpockets are known to operate. Personal and valuable items should not be left unattended, particularly on the beach. Many hotels have safe deposit boxes.
You should report all incidents of crime to the local police station and obtain a report.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Political Situation
Croatia Country Profile
Local Travel
If you are planning to travel outside the normal tourist resorts you should be aware that there are areas affected by the war, which ended in 1995, where unexploded mines remain. These areas include the Danube region (Eastern Slavonia) and the former Krajina.
You should be wary about leaving cultivated land or marked paths. If in doubt seek local advice.
Road Travel
Your UK driving license is valid for up to six months from entry into Croatia. If you are staying longer, you need to apply for a Croatian licence. International Driving Licences are not valid in Croatia.
If travelling by car you should ensure, before setting out, that your green card covers Croatia. Insurance can normally be purchased at the main border crossings, however some of the smaller crossings may not have this facility or have limited hours when the service is available. If you are driving to or through Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the 20km strip of coastline at Neum on the Dalmatian coastal highway, you should ensure that your Green Card includes cover for Bosnia and Herzegovina. If this is not the case, temporary third-party insurance can be purchased at the main border posts, or in Split and other large Croatian cities. Insurance cannot be obtained at the Neum border.
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 more than 0.5% of alcohol in the system (but if in any kind of offence zero tolerance applies);
to drive without dipped headlights on during daylight saving period (last weekend in October until last weekend in March); 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.
Croatia
Still current at: 21 January 2009
Updated: 07 November 2008
This advice has been reviewed and reissued with amendments throughout the advice. The overall level of the advice has not changed.
(see travel advice legal disclaimer)
Travel advice for this country
Travel Summary Safety and security Local laws and customs Entry requirements Health General See entire profile
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Travel Summary
There is an underlying threat from terrorism and organised crime in Croatia. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers.
Unexploded land mines are still a danger. Highly populated areas and major routes are now clear of mines and are safe to visit. However, isolated areas in the mountains and countryside have not all been cleared. You should therefore be careful not to stray from roads and paved areas without an experienced guide.
Around 267,000 British nationals visit Croatia every year (Source: Croatian Ministry of the Sea, Tourism, Transport and Development). Most visits to Croatia are trouble-free. The main types of incident for which British nationals required consular assistance in Croatia in 2007 were: dealing with hospitalisations (25 cases); and replacing lost or stolen passports (over 20 cases).
Carry your passport at all times. You must be able to show some form of identification if required.
We strongly recommend that you obtain comprehensive travel and medical insurance before travelling. You should check any exclusions, and that your policy covers you for the activities you want to undertake. See the General (Insurance) section of this advice and Travel Insurance for more details.
Safety and security
Terrorism
There is an underlying threat from terrorism and organised crime in Croatia. Attacks could be indiscriminate, including in places frequented by expatriates and foreign travellers. For more general information see Terrorism Abroad.
Crime
You should take sensible precautions when carrying money in busy tourist areas, where pickpockets are known to operate. Personal and valuable items should not be left unattended, particularly on the beach. Many hotels have safe deposit boxes.
You should report all incidents of crime to the local police station and obtain a report.
For more general information see Victims of Crime Abroad.
Political Situation
Croatia Country Profile
Local Travel
If you are planning to travel outside the normal tourist resorts you should be aware that there are areas affected by the war, which ended in 1995, where unexploded mines remain. These areas include the Danube region (Eastern Slavonia) and the former Krajina.
You should be wary about leaving cultivated land or marked paths. If in doubt seek local advice.
Road Travel
Your UK driving license is valid for up to six months from entry into Croatia. If you are staying longer, you need to apply for a Croatian licence. International Driving Licences are not valid in Croatia.
If travelling by car you should ensure, before setting out, that your green card covers Croatia. Insurance can normally be purchased at the main border crossings, however some of the smaller crossings may not have this facility or have limited hours when the service is available. If you are driving to or through Bosnia and Herzegovina, including the 20km strip of coastline at Neum on the Dalmatian coastal highway, you should ensure that your Green Card includes cover for Bosnia and Herzegovina. If this is not the case, temporary third-party insurance can be purchased at the main border posts, or in Split and other large Croatian cities. Insurance cannot be obtained at the Neum border.
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 more than 0.5% of alcohol in the system (but if in any kind of offence zero tolerance applies);
to drive without dipped headlights on during daylight saving period (last weekend in October until last weekend in March); 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.
? When you cpuld post this you should also post second Foreign Office advice on Croatia that was published week later than the first one. If your goal is to make bad publicity SHAME ON YOU!!!