On July 19^th 2021, Croatia was placed on the UK’s green ‘watch list’, meaning those passengers returning from their trip would avoid isolation.

Like with all countries that are categorised according to the UK’s current travel traffic light system, we must remember to check the entry requirements of the country in question, as each individual one has its on set of rules for those travellers from the United Kingdom.

Entry requirements into Croatia for UK travellers

UK nationals travelling to Croatia must present one of the following:

·       a negative COVID-19 private antigen test not older than 48 hours

·       OR a negative PCR test result not older than 72 hours

·       OR proof of vaccination

·       OR a doctor’s certificate of recovery following a positive COVID-19 test result between 11 and 180 days prior

Children under 12 are exempt from the entry requirements above if travelling with an adult that meets one of the criteria.

If you fail to present one of the documents, on arrival, and are not exempt, you will be required to undertake a rapid antigen / PCR test and placed into isolation until a negative result is confirmed. If you decide to take the rapid antigen test and are planning to stay in Croatia for more than 10 days you will be required to repeat the test again after the 10 days expires.

In addition to producing test results / vaccination status passengers are also required to complete an online entry form

In addition, it is recommended that you carry the details of your accommodation booking / ownership of holiday home/boat. If you are arriving in Croatia on business, again proof of business meeting / invitation is advised at this time.

Demonstrating your COVID-19 vaccination status

To gain entry into Croatia you will need to provide certificate of a two-dose vaccine course from the following providers:

·       Pfizer

·       Moderna

·       AstraZeneca

·       Gamaleya

·       Sinopharm

Alternatively, receipt of one dose of Johnson & Johnson & Janssen will be accepted.

In both cases vaccination must have completed 14 days prior to arriving in Croatia.

Croatia will accept the UK’s solutions to demonstrate your COVID vaccination status.

Please note that your NHS vaccination card will not be accepted as proof of vaccination status.

Where to visit in Croatia?

Here we look at some tips and facts ahead of your trip to the Adriatic.

Fast becoming one of the most desired places to visit in Europe, Croatia is sat at the crossroads of Central and Southeast Europe, on the Adriatic Sea.

With stunning walled cities, delicious local cuisine, and an extraordinarily beautiful coastline, Croatia is sure to dazzle its visitors.

CROATIA’S CITIES

Dubrovnik

Arguably Croatia’s most popular attraction to visit, Dubrovnik is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Despite being relentlessly shelled in the 1990s during Croatia’s Homeland War, its mighty walls, sturdy towers, medieval monasteries, baroque churches, graceful squares and fascinating residential quarters all look magnificent again. For the ultimate view of the city, take the cable car up Srd to appreciate the amazing back drop the city has to offer. Alternatively, for all you die-hard Game of Thrones fans, take a themed tour of the city to take in the sights.

Zagreb

Zagreb is the capital and largest city in Croatia. It is also called the city of museums as there are more of them per square foot than any other city in the world. Having said that there is more to do than just browse around these historical places of interest. With a combination of small traditional shops, larger contemporary boutiques, markets and malls, it provides something for everyone. Take in the city surroundings at one of the many cafes or enjoy some of the delicious local cuisine on offer. Not quite on the same scale as the London Eye, the Zagreb Eye is an observation deck located on the 16^th floor of a skyscraper situated in the corner of the main square to give a full overview of the terracotta rooftops over the city.

Hvar

The 4^th largest of Croatia’s islands, Hvar has a growing reputation of being the more upmarket destination in the country. Visited by many celebrities, this island benefits from over 2800 hours of sunshine making it popular with those looking for that sun drenched break. There is also the bonus that local hoteliers will give you a reduction on your stay if you have more than 4 hours rain a day and if it snows, your stay is free! This is how confident the locals are in the weather here!

In its 20^th anniversary, Carpe Diem is far and out the night hotspot of Hvar, popular with the rich and famous. Dance the night away here while enjoying a cocktail or 2!

The National Parks

Almost 10% of Croatia is made up of its national parks, offering spectacular waterfalls and luscious forests to explore. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, Plitvice National Park is home to 16, interconnected lakes, famous for their breath-taking colours.

Looking for something more active? Head to Mljet National Park for kayaking, hiking, and swimming set to a backdrop of stunning scenery.

HOW TO GET TO CROATIA

Flights to Croatia are offered all year round, with the budget airlines in the summer months offering a wide selection of flights to both Zagreb & Dubrovnik. Flight times from London to Dubrovnik are around 2 hrs 40mins, from Manchester just under 3hrs. Head over to Skyscanner  or Jetcost to do a comparison on the best flights available.

There is the option to reach Croatia via ferry/catamaran from Italy, if needed.

HOTEL RECOMMENDATION

Hotel Esplanade, Zagreb - Built in 1925 as a suitably glamorous stopover for passengers on the Orient Express, the five-star Esplanade is unquestionably Zagreb’s most upmarket hotel. Restored to its fabulous former glory in 2004, it offers a level of opulence you’ll find nowhere else in Croatia.

Prices start from £109 per night for room only.

Head over to Trivago to compare the best prices available on this hotel

Which Currency?

The national currency of Croatia is the Croatian Kuna, sub-divided into 100 Lipa.

One pound is currently worth 8.4997 Kuna (as @ 21st July 2021  Currency Online Group)

Your money will go a long way in Croatia, another reason it proves a popular city break destination.

Head over to Croatia Wise for more insight into the prices per city visited within the country.

For the best rates on your Croatian Kuna head over to www.currencyonlinegroup.com. We offer free next day delivery on orders over £750 (order by 12pm). Your currency is delivered to your door via Royal Mail Special Delivery.

Prefer to go cashless? Currency Online Group offers their multi-currency card and app which allows you to take complete control of your currency conversion with the click of a button. Load you card up with GBP and convert to your required currency using live rates.

Used all the funds on the card? … no problem just instantly top-up via the app.

Currency Online Group’s multi-currency card is accepted free of charge at all Mastercard locations worldwide.

© Currency Online Group

21^st July 2021

GUIDE TO TRAVELLING TO IBIZA

With Ibiza now added to the UK’s green list this has quickly become a highly searched destination in recent days with those looking to get away, escaping the dreaded isolation period on return to the UK.

When you think of this lively Balearic Island, for most, they will associate it with all night partying! Ibiza has so much more to offer than this.

Firstly, let’s talk travelling to Ibiza during Covid-19 (the pandemic can not be avoided at this time!)

On July 2^nd 2021 Spain changed its rules on Brits entering the country due to the rising infection rates of the Delta variant here in the UK. Those travellers over 12, looking to enter the island of Ibiza, are now required to either produce proof of vaccination (must have had both jabs, with the second being done 14 days before arrival) or a negative certificate of an active infection diagnostic test or as we recognise it these days a RT-PCR, RT-LAMP or TMA. In addition to this a health check form must be completed before you arrive. For more information on the entry requirements follow this link to the Balearics Tourist Board.

On return to the UK, you will be required to produce a negative covid-19 test result. The UK border control will accept the private rapid antigen tests which can be performed online in the comfort of your hotel or accommodation by companies such as Breathe Assured or Qured. These tests are cheaper than the PCR ones. You are then required to do another test on or before Day 2 of you arriving back in the UK, and lastly complete a passenger locator form.

With your entry and return conditions taken care of now let’s talk about this beautiful island in the Mediterranean.

Family Friendly

Ibiza is a great option for a short haul family holiday. With its short flight time of two and a half hours from London, if you are travelling with toddlers this makes for a great option to avoid the long flying time with small children. High season here is between April and October with plenty of scheduled flights offered via budget airlines to choose from.

With average temperatures reaching low to high twenties, it makes for a more comfortable break when getting away with the children.

The island has idyllic beaches to relax on and views to saviour. Suggested resorts to stay in with the family include Santa Eulalia, Cala Tarida, Es Cana, and Portinatx.

Suggested hotels to stay at include Insotel Tarida Beach Sensatori Resort in Cala Tarida, Grand Palladium White Island Resort & Spa in Playa D’En Bossa. Both offer a 5* all-inclusive option for guests to enjoy.

Nightlife

There is no getting away from Ibiza being one of Europe’s premier partying scenes. World famous DJs flock to this island in the height of the season to entertain the ever-growing crowds.

San Antonio is renowned for being the clubbing capital of the island. Here you will find a whole mix of places to sample; from the real laid back to the more hardcore venues you will not be short of nightlife options to choose from. For the ultimate sunset viewing on the island be sure to visit Café Mambo. Enjoy dinner or a drink or 2 while taking in the sun going down with a background of chilled Ibiza tunes. This is always very popular around the time of sunset so be sure to prebook on arrival.

Over the years Ibiza Town has grown in stature and is proving to be the hotbed of late-night revelry. Close to Ibiza airport, here you will find the iconic Pascha and Amnesia. In recent times Ibiza Town has seen the emergence of glitzy, upmarket venues attracting big celebrities to the area. Be prepared to break the budget to make a visit to Lío but the experience is second to none. Another place to note is Heart which fuses gastronomy, music and art all under one roof. Be sure to check these out for the alternative to all night raving!

For those who prefer to party during the day the island has several beach and pool parties to sample. O Beach (owned by the famous Wayne Lineker) is described as the ultimate day club experience and has recently added to its portfolio Bam-Bu-Ku, a family friendly day club for adults and children alike to enjoy. For anyone lucky enough to have been and seen O Beach you will know it lives up to its description! Other day parties available include Ibiza Rocks , Blue Marlin, and for a more laid-back vibe head up to Santa Eulalia where you will find Nikki Beach situated next to the very swanky W Hotel.

Other Things to Do

It is highly recommended if you don’t mind travelling by boat to venture over to the neighbouring island of Formentera. It takes approximately 40 mins and there are multiple crossings a day making it very accessible. Once in Formentera the popular way to explore the island is by bicycle, although if this is not feasible there are other options. The island itself is only 20km tip to toe so can all be done in the one day. Es Pujols is the most built-up area on the island, with a variety of little bars, restaurants, hippy stalls and shops to roam around.

Ibiza offers numerous excursions. In addition to trekking, you can get to know the island via kayaking, hot air balloon or even quad bike.

Ibiza is also proving popular for diving enthusiasts. More than 200 kilometres of Ibiza has a spectacular seabed, including the Posidonia prairies, which have great ecological value and were recognised as a World Heritage Site in 1999.

Hotel Recommendation – HOTEL TORRE DEL MAR (4*SUPERIOR)

This luxury hotel is based in Playa d’en Bossa and is within walking distance of Ushuaia and Bora Bora beach.

This hotel offers spacious, modern and opulent facilities and is within the heart of some of the best nightlife on the island. The view when having breakfast is a real treat!

Prices start from approx £260 per night including breakfast (Based on stay on Sep 4th 2021 – checked on July 6^th 2021). For the best price go direct to the hotel’s website where it will also offer you free use of the spa facilities as part of your package.

TRAVEL MONEY

For all your travel money needs for your trip to Ibiza head over to Currency Online Group to get the most competitive rates on the market for your Euros.

We offer next day delivery on your travel money to your home address for all orders over £750.

Alternatively, if you would prefer to go cashless to Ibiza then why not check out one of our new prepaid multicurrency cards. Download the app now on Apple Store or Google Play to see how easy it is to control your currency with instant top up and live conversion rates.

© Currency Online Group

6^th July 2021