E.S.P.R.A.S. appointed 5th Congress of the Croatian Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery

Dubrovnik-Cavtat, 15-20 October 2004

                        Currency & Exchange:

Local currency: 1 Kuna (HRK) = 100 Lipa. Notes are in denominations of 1000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20, 10 and 5 HRK. Coins are in denominations of 5, 2 and 1 HRK, and 50, 20, 10, 5, 2, and 1 lipa. Export-import restrictions: The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited. The import and export of our currency - HRK is limited to 2000 HRK, in banknotes up to 500 HRK. For amounts exceeding 2000 HRK a special permit from the National Bank of Croatia is required. Currencies can be exchanged in banks, exchange offices (Mjenjačnica), hotels, airports and most travel agencies. Exchange rates are published in the daily press and by banks that display them in visible places. The Exchange rates as at February 2004. are:

1 € = 7.65 HRK;         1 US$ = 6.04 HRK;    1 £ = 11.38 HRK

                        Banks:

Banks and Post Offices in Croatia are normally  opened from 8⁰⁰ to 19⁰⁰ Monday to Friday;  8⁰⁰ to 13⁰⁰ on Saturday and closed all day on Sunday.

                        Language:

Official language in Croatia is Croatian.

Official language for the Congress is English.

                        Time zone: Local time in Croatia is Central European Time – CET.

Electricity: The electrical supply is 220 V, 50Hz. Most hotels provides 110 volt outlets for shavers.

                        Climate:

The Climate in Dubrovnik and Cavtat is Mediterranean and in October is still pretty warm. The geographical position of the area is typical of the classic Mediterranean or 'estasian' climate with mild and damp winters, and hot dry summers at quite low air humidity (approx. 2.600 sunny hours). The annual average of rainfall is 1.250 mm. The average air temperature is 17°C and the summer sea temperature is 21°C approx. A maximum variation of 4°C is very beneficial to the nervous system and general health. There are many sunny days during the winter months. The average summer temperature of 25°C is refreshed by the gentle Maestral - the messenger of lovely weather. Whereas during the cooler months, the Bura and Jugo winds prevail.

                         Health Insurance / Medical Service:

Foreign tourists do not pay for medical services if the Health Care Convention was signed between Croatia and country they come from. If not, the tourist must pay for health care costs immediately. Hospitals and clinics are located in all major centers, while doctor's offices and pharmacies can be found in smaller tourist destinations.

                         Shopping / Credit cards:

Several shopping centres to be found in Gruž Harbour and Lapad Pensinsula in Dubrovnik. Souvenir and gift shops are mostly located in the old city.

All major credit cards like; American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard/Master Card, Visa, JCB, and Eurocheques, as advertised at points of sale, are normally accepted throughout Croatia. Traveller's Cheques are also accepted. In general, working hours for all shops and other services are Monday-Friday from 8⁰⁰ till 19⁰⁰ or 20⁰⁰, Saturday 8⁰⁰ till 13⁰⁰-14⁰⁰. During summer season opening hours of shops and boutiques vary from ones like private shops that mostly stay open till 21⁰⁰ or longer and full day on Saturday, and the others that work in two shifts, closing from 12⁰⁰ till 16⁰⁰. Sundays and public holidays are the usual closing days.

                          Taxes:

Foreigners can claim a sales tax refund within one year for purchased goods. Don´t forget to ask salesman to fill out the tax refund form when purchasing goods. Tax refund to foreign citizens for purchased goods exceeding 500 kuna, providing that the from entitled "Porezni ček" (Tax Cheque) is stamped by customs officers upon leaving the country. A tax refund can be obtained within one year. The equivalent of VAT - PDV - is 22% in Croatia. Information: Customs Administration of the Republic of Croatia www.carina.hr.

                          Tipping:

Tipping is not the general custom in Croatia and service charges are not usually added to accounts by hotels and restaurants. However, you may tip hotel porters and food and drink waiters in restaurants (up to 10% of the bill) for special service. Usually, tipping is your choice.

                         Dress for Social Functions:

For the Congress Opening Ceremony and Gala Dinner, formal dressing is recomended.. For the Inamed Congress Party a more casual style should be worn.

                         Telephone:

Telephone network is administered by the Croatian Telecommunication Company (Hrvatske Telekomunikacije - HT). There are telephone booths everywhere; telephone sets operate by means of magnetic cards bought in the post office or a news agents. All post offices have fax service. Calling from Croatia, international access code is 00, after which you dial the country code. Calling Croatia from abroad you should dial your exit code (00 or other) followed by Croatia country code: 385.

Mobile Phones:

There are two GSM operators in Croatia: VIPNET (091) and CRONET (098). Both operators offer prepaid service packages and have signed roaming agreements with many foreign GSM operators. Operating frequence for mobile-phones is 900 MHz.

                        How to reach Dubrovnik:

You can reach Dubrovnik and Cavtat by air, sea and road.

By airplaine - Dubrovnik airport, located in Ćilipi, 17 km from the town, is a modern tourist facility, capable of receiving all types and sizes of aircrafts. However, Dubrovnik airport has excellent conections with regular comercial flights to all European centers and USA, both directs from Dubrovnik and throught connection flights with Zagreb; www.airport-dubrovnik.hr. Official carrier – Croatia Airlines is the official carrier for the Congress. Flight schedule at www.croatiaairlines.hr. Please contact Mrs. Aurelija Leskovar Cepanec (Distribution Manager) to obtain an offer to discount tickets.

Phone +385 1 6160 278;

Fax +385 1 6160 270;

E-mail: aurelija.leskovar-cepanec@croatiaairlines.hr

By boat - Ferries operate by Jadrolinija Shipline company link Rijeka, Split, Dubrovnik and many other places in between, and offer an excellent opportunity to enjoy beautiful coast line and thousend islands. Dubrovnik is also linked with various point in Italy with Car Ferry Service www.jadrolinija.hr.

By bus - You can reach Dubrovnik by excelent motorcoaches from Austria, Italy, Germany, Hungary and Slovenija www.akz.hr.

By train - The only railway line in the Dubrovnik - Neretva County runs from Ploče through Metković and Sarajevo towards Central Europe. Its importance is due to the fact it offers the shortest link between Central Europe and the Mediterranean. Tourists can take regular motor - coaches from Ploče to Dubrovnik.

                        Transport from the Airport:

The Airport is only 3 miles (5 km) from Cavtat.

The congress provides  transport from the airport to Congress Hotel.

For participants who stays in some of Dubrovnik Hotels (20 min away from Congress by car), Congress will provide transport to and from Congress Hotel every day during Congress.

                         Visas / passports:

A passport or some other identification document recognised by the international agreement. Information: Diplomatic missions of the Republic of Croatia abroad or the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic Croatia www.mvp.hr.

  Smoking:
Smoking and no smoking areas.

  Water:
Tap water is drinkable in all parts of Croatia.

 Gastronomy:
Dubrovnik is a place of gastronomic delight open air living, Mediterranean style, is a complemented by rich and varied gastronomic offer. The natural flavour of the sea and of the many Mediterranean delicacies is the same today as it has been over the centuries. Recipies from a past in which time went by more slowly.

                         Important telephone numbers:

Road Assistance: 987
General Information: 981
Information on phone numbers in Croatia: 988
Information on international phone numbers: 902
Weather Forecast and Road Conditions: 060 520 520
Croatian Auto Club: +385 1 4554 433

Airport "Ćilipi", Dubrovnik:      +385 (0)20 77 33 33,  20 77 33 77

                                                                       www.airport-dubrovnik.hr

Taxi:     Address - Pile, Brsalje
Phone: (020) 424-343           

    Croatian Society of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery 

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Last modified: 08/04/04; Web-site has existed at this address since '97!!