Easiest + Fastest Option: Fly into Zagreb’s Franjo Tudman Airport (ZAG). There are plenty of taxis and transfer options available on the airport website from ZAG into Zagreb City. It takes about 30 minutes. The public transport system (trams, buses) are also efficient and easy to navigate.
Slower + More Scenic Option: Take a bus, train or ferry into Croatia.

If you decide to arrive early, you must make your own arrangements up until Day 1. Below are a few resources that will help you with such decisions. Now Boarding can also help you organize your pre-trip plans.

Group Rendezvous Point:

Date: Day 1
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: Meet your guide and group in the main lobby, Hotel Dubrovnik, Gajeva ul. 1, 10000, Zagreb, Croatia

RECOMMENDED PRE-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

If you wish to stay at Hotel Dubrovnik (the rendezvous location) you can book directly with the hotel. Or you may choose to stay at the Swanky Mint Hostel.

DEPARTURES FROM DUBROVNIK

One group transfer from Hotel Lapad to the Dubrovnik airport is included on the last day of the trip. Otherwise, the bus service and taxis are reliable and affordable.
Book flights for mid morning or later.
A hotel stay is not included on your last day. Book in advance if you plan to stay in Dubrovnik post-trip (you will want to!)

Drop Off Point:

Date: Day 9
Time: After breakfast
Location: From Hotel Lapad to Dubrovnik Airport (DBV)

RECOMMENDED POST-TRIP ACCOMMODATIONS

If you are extending your stay in Dubrovnik, we recommend staying at Hotel Lapad (where you will be spending the last night of your trip) or Hotel Excelsior. This 5 star beachfront property is just a 5-minute walk from the Old Town. Villa Orsula is also an opulent choice with views of the Adriatic and a 5 minute walk to the city centre.

TRANSPORTATION ARRANGEMENTS

You are responsible for booking your own flights or other transport arrangements to the trip start location. These arrangements and any other independent arrangements that you may make are not a part of the trip booked with Wild Women Expeditions and are entirely at your own risk. Wild Women Expeditions accepts no responsibility, directly or indirectly, for any loss, damage or injury to property or person in connection with such arrangements. Should you require assistance with your travel arrangements, please contact:

Megan and Zale | Now Boarding Travel, Travel Specialists

Email: wildwomen@nowboarding.travel

Note: Now Boarding Travel only provides services of 3-star quality or greater. For budget alternatives, please refer to the Lonely Planet guide for your destination.

Important: For international and remote destinations, there is always the risk of flight delays, baggage delays and flight schedule changes which may cause late arrivals, which may, in return, result in you missing the group tour departure. We encourage you to consider arriving one or two days early, which will help you overcome any jet lag from traveling!

PASSPORTS & VISAS

You are fully responsible for your own visa requirements, permits, and certificates for your trip. It is the sole prerogative of each country or region to determine who is allowed to enter. It is your responsibility to check with the country's Consulate and your country's travel website such as Canada’s for up-to-date information about traveling internationally.

Passport:

Most countries and airlines recommend passports be valid for at least six months beyond the date of your expected return to your home country. Before you leave, ask your transportation company about its requirements related to passport validity, which may be more stringent than the country's entry rules.

Citizens of EU countries can enter Croatia with only their ID card.

Croatian authorities require all foreigners to register with the local police when they arrive in a new area of the country, but this is a routine matter normally handled by the hotel, hostel, campground or agency securing your private accommodation. If you’re staying elsewhere (e.g. with relatives or friends), your host should take care of it for you.

Important: A copy of your passport must be emailed to the Wild Women Expeditions office by 130-days pre-trip.

Visa:

Generally not required for stays of up to 90 days.

Citizens of many countries, including EU member states, Australia, Bosnia, Brazil, Canada, Israel, Japan, Macedonia, Montenegro, New Zealand, Serbia, Singapore, South Korea and the USA, do not need a visa for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

Other nationalities can check whether they need a visa and download application forms on the website of the Croatia’s Ministry for Foreign & European Affairs.

Note: As fees and policies can change, we highly recommend that you contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date visa requirements, or see your travel agent.

Customs and Immigration

With an economy that depends heavily on tourism, Croatia has wisely kept red tape to a minimum for foreign visitors.

Travelers can bring their personal effects into the country without paying excise tax.

Biosecurity

There are restrictions on food crossing into Croatia from non-EU countries.

TIPPING

Below are some “tips”, recommendations, and an overall guideline on what is appropriate, expected, or respected in the world of Croatian tipping.

Note: Tips are NOT included for any services you receive on this adventure. Due to heavy government regulations, tips cannot be included in the tour price.

Because tipping generally reflects your interpretation of the quality of service, it is appropriate for you to tip when the service is quality; a reflection of your enjoyment is shown through the tip you leave. On the other hand, when service is sub-par or not to your liking, nothing is obliged of you to tip.

When you are traveling with a group, it is appropriate to collect from each patron in the group, handing the total sum tip to the server or guide at the end of the meal or tour.

For multi-day tours, the industry standard is to tip between €100-200 EUR per person, per guide. Tipping based on your discretion is still heavily encouraged here, as the caliber of the service is the biggest judge.

A group tip for the captain is a suggested €50 EUR (total).

It is always fair to round up the bill at a restaurant, and tipping an average of 10%-15% is appropriate. Of course, this becomes arbitrary if you really enjoyed your meal and service!In other realms of the hospitality industry, rounding up your bill for the taxi driver is not expected, but appreciated. Handing a hotel porter 10-20 kuna for every bag they carry is expected. Your hairdresser and spa service providers should also be granted 10% for their services. When you’re at coffee shops or bars, it never hurts to throw your change in the tip jar.

All in all, show your appreciation for the quality of service you are receiving, Croatians do work very hard to ensure you’re happy, satisfied, and enjoying every aspect of Croatia.

ACCOMMODATION DETAILS

Rooming Arrangements:

Our trip prices are based on a twin-share (minimum of two women per room), so we’ll team you up with another solo wild woman to share with if you’re on your own, or of course, you can share with your travel partner.

Private Upgrade

There are four single supplements available for those who prefer their own room. First come, first served. Email support@wildwomenexpeditions.com to request.

Bathrooms

All hotels have western flush toilets, hot water and nice showers! Throughout the day, your guide will ensure reasonable stops are made so everyone can use the toilet, but don’t be shy if you need one in between. Most places we visit will have toilets.

Electricity / Internet / Wi-Fi / Cell Coverage

All hotels have wifi and for the most part, you are in places with cell coverage. Consider buying a local SIM (tourist SIMs are 55 kn and give you 10G’s) as this is MUCH cheaper than adding a plan with your home carrier. See AI Package Sample Here

Potable Water

Tap water is drinkable across all of Croatia. Bring a reusable water bottle! Fresh, safe drinking water will be provided throughout the trip for you to refill your water bottles.

If you would like to join Wild Women Expeditions in its commitment to reducing single-use plastic, you can travel prepared with your own water treatment system!

Lifestraw

GRAYL Canada | OnePress™ Global Protection

Travelers Against Plastic | Take the TAP pledge

Water-To-Go

Overnight Arrangements During Your Stay

Livadić Hotel
Etno Garden
Hotel Rajna
Hotel Peristil
Villa Nora

QUICK FACTS ABOUT CROATIA

About

Croatia is a Central European and Mediterranean country, bordering Slovenia in the west, Hungary in the north, Serbia in the east and Bosnia and Herzegovina in the south; the country also has a long maritime border with Italy in the Adriatic Sea. These borders total 2,028 km altogether.

Croatia has an unusual shape (similar to a croissant, yum!) that is unlike any other country in the world, which is as a result of five centuries of expansion by the Ottoman (Turkish) empire towards Central Europe. (Having said this, the Turks never actually conquered Croatia). If you’re interested, we have more on the history of Croatia.

Croatia covers a land area of 56,691 square kilometres and has a population of about 4.29 million people (2011 census). Almost 90% of the population is Croat (the majority of whom are Roman Catholics) and there are also Serbian, Bosnian, Hungarian and Italian minorities.

The main population centres are Zagreb, the capital (with a population of just under 800,000), Osijek in the northeast (population: 107,000), and the ports of Reijeka (population: 128,000) on the northern part of the coastline, and Split (population: 178,000) towards the south. Other well-known towns include Dubrovnik, Makarska, Porec, Rovinj, Opatija, Zadar, and Sibenik.

Quick Facts

- Capital: Zagreb
- Other Main Cities (by population): Split, Rijeka, Osijek
- Language: Croatian, using the Latin alphabet
- Currency: Kuna/ HKR (2019 may be Euro)
- Main Religion: Roman Catholic
Climate & Weather:

The climate is Mediterranean along the Adriatic coast, meaning warm dry summers and mild winters, with 2,600 hours of sunlight on average yearly – it is one of the sunniest coastlines in Europe! The interior of the country has a continental climate with hot summers and cold, snowy winters.

May – June & September – October

A great time to visit the coast: the Adriatic is warm enough for swimming, the crowds are sparser and prices are lower. In spring and early summer, the maestral (strong, steady westerly wind) makes for great sailing.

MONEY MATTERS

Wild Women Expeditions recommends that each participant should bring enough cash in local currency or available credit/debit funds to cover their meals during travel to and from their destination. Please consider your own spending habits when it comes to allowing for drinks, meals not included in the trip package, shopping, etc., and we also suggest you have access to emergency funds.

Currency Exchange Offices & Banks:

You can exchange money at any of the country’s banks, bureaux de change, post offices and at almost all travel agents and hotels.

Please check online for current exchange rates. Wild Women Expeditions likes XE Currency Converter

We highly suggest you read this article: Where to Exchange Currency Without Paying Huge Fees for more information about this for your trip.

Automated Teller Machine (ATM)

ATMs can be found throughout Croatia and are tied in with international networks such as Cirrus and Maestro.

Most ATMs also allow you to withdraw money using a credit card; note that you pay interest on the amount immediately and are charged a withdrawal fee. Privredna Banka usually has ATMs for cash withdrawals using American Express cards.

All post offices will allow you to make a cash withdrawal on MasterCard or Cirrus.

Credit Cards

The majority of establishments and ATMs will also accept credit cards such as Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Diners, etc. Many smaller restaurants and shops do not take any credit cards at all.

Cash

Smaller restaurants, shops and private accommodation owners only take cash.

Please note Croatia has adopted the Euro, starting January 2023.

Money in Croatia – Croatian Kuna & using Euros and ATMs – Visit Croatia

Goods and Services Taxes

Value Added Tax (VAT) of 25% is included in all prices. You can request VAT refund receipts and claim this at the airport upon departure.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Useful Websites:

GETTING FIT

Please be sure to provide complete, accurate, and up-to-date information about your health & fitness level and keep us updated if there are changes. Wild Women Expeditions trips travel to remote areas where limited or no sophisticated medical facilities exist.

A medical emergency situation is extremely unlikely; however, should it arise we need to be prepared with the necessary information to help you.

Important Note: If you choose not to disclose a condition, infirmity, injury, or ailment herein and are subsequently deemed to be unfit for expedition travel due in whole or in part to such condition, infirmity, injury or ailment, Wild Women Expeditions guides, and partners shall have the right to remove you from the trip with no refund or compensation payable. Any evacuation expenses incurred are payable by the evacuee via their medical travel insurance or personal expense. Generally, our expeditions are intended for travelers in reasonably good health for their safety, along with that of their fellow travelers.

Tips:

You don't have to be a professional athlete to enjoy your Wild Women expedition. Not by a long shot! You'll be surprised at what you can achieve with our experienced guides at your side and a little camaraderie.

That said, you’ll definitely enjoy yourself far more if you do some preparation so your body is conditioned and ready to enjoy and make the most of the outdoors.

Here are a few ideas to help you get ready:

Take every opportunity you can to be active.

You can improve your fitness a lot just by adopting some new habits; take the stairs at work, go for a walk at lunchtime, park your car away from work and walk. Aim for 30 minutes a day and keep a diary so you can look back on it and feel proud. These may sound trivial but they’re all building blocks!

Rev up your ticker!

Think ‘interval training’, which means doing short bursts of high-intensity work with recovery time in between. Depending on how fit you are this can mean strolling with bursts of power walking, or jogging with sprints. Either way, the aim is to get your heart rate up.

Join a local walking or running group.

This is a great way to get fit and you’ll also see new places, meet great people… and make them all jealous when they find out what you’re about to go on your travels.

Warm up, cool down and stretch.

If you’re doing a workout then make sure you start and finish gently and stretch any tight muscles – this will help you avoid any aches, pains and pulled muscles. If you’re a member of a gym try some yoga, tai chi or pilates classes to build up your flexibility, stability and balance.

Hydration.

When you suddenly ask your body to walk or be active, it needs a bit more fuel than it needs when, say, sitting at a desk all day! The main thing your body needs is water, so stay hydrated and practice sipping water often. Getting a water bottle or hydration bladder is a great way to make sure you have it on hand at all times. Make a habit out of taking a bottle of water with you wherever you go.

Nutrition.

Eating little and often will keep your body well fuelled for outdoor exercise, especially food like nuts, dried fruit and bread. The odd bit of chocolate and a few boiled lollies are good for keeping your blood sugar levels up while you’re hiking as well!

Have fun!

The most important point of all! You are about to embark on the trip of a lifetime. You’re going to meet some amazing people, see some wonderful places and create memories that will stay with you for life. The more prepared you are to tackle the various challenges, the more fun you will have. Also, with all the endorphins you create from all this training, you’ll be smiling from ear to ear! It’s a great way to boost your happy vibes.

GENERAL FAQ'S

For general Wild Women Expeditions FAQs please click [HERE].