Croatia

Croatia's official currency is the kuna. Although many tourist business owners may accept euros, Euros are not legal tender in Croatia. Any amount of kuna you have left at the end of your stay can be converted to euros at a local bank or exchange office.

Prices are around 10% to 20% lower than most EU countries. Touristic destinations and articles are much more expensive.

tax-free shopping

If you buy goods worth more than 740 kuna you are entitled to a PDV VAT tax return when leaving the country. Note that this applies to all goods except petroleum products. At point of purchase ask the sales person for a PDV-P form. Fill it out and have it stamped on the spot. On leaving Croatia the receipt will be verified by the Croatian Customs service. A PDV refund in Kunas can be obtained within six months, either at the same shop where you bought the goods in that case the tax will be refunded to you immediately, or by posting the verified receipt back to the shop, together with the account number into which the refund should be paid. In this case the refund is dealt with within 15 days of receipt of the claim. There is another, much easier way to receive the refund. Buy your goods in shops with a "CROATIA TAX-FREE SHOPPING" label. This label is displayed on the shop's entrance, usually next to the labels of credit and debit cards this particular shop accepts. Using an international coupon, refund is possible in all countries-members of the TAX-FREE international chain. In this case the service charge is deducted from the tax refund amount.

Croatia now uses the Global Blue system. They will do the refund and take a commission off the price. You can do this at the airport or post it once you get home.

atms

ATMs in Croatian bankomat are readily available throughout Croatia. They will accept various European bank cards, credit cards Diners Club, Eurocard/Mastercard, Visa, American Express etc. and debit cards Cirrus, Maestro, Visa electron etc.. Read the labels/notices on the machine before using.

croaterra

Croaterra (http://www.croaterra.com/...) an original Croatian treat. A cake that combines Croatia’s finest products with the harmonious flavors of Slavonia, the coast, Istria, the Dalmatian hinterland and the Velebit Mountains. All of the ingredients are organic, whole grain and of high quality. But Croaterra is not just healthy and delicious, it's also an exclusive product as it's packaged in a stylized earthenware container in a specially designed gift-box.

natural cosmetics

The ingredients used herbs, olive oil, etc. are grown in Croatia. In comparison to some world famous beauty products, Croatian natural cosmetics present real value for the money.

Ulola (http://www.ulola.com/) manufacturers soaps, bath salts, body butters and more. It's all natural and comes in combinations like: orange and cinnamon, goats milk and almond oil, etc

S-Atea (http://www.atea.hr/) manufacturers soaps, shower gels, body butter and more. Seaweed, olive oil, rosemary and lavender are some of their main ingredients.

Brac fini sapuni (http://www.bracfinisapuni...) Brac quality soaps manufacturers a wide range of natural soaps, the lastest addition to their bath line is Aurum Croaticum made from virgin olive oil and thin leafs of 23 carat gold!

croatian clothing designers

There are many Croatian designers and clothing specialists.

Etnobutik "Mara" (http://etnobutik-mara.com/) designs by Vesna Milković offers a range of really unique clothing and accessories inscribed with "glagoljica" glagolitic script; old Slavic alphabet. Some of her designs are protected as Authentic Croatian produce.

I-gle Fashion Studio by two female designers Nataša Mihaljčišin i Martina Vrdoljak-Ranilović. Their clothing is sold in Harvey Nichols in Knightsbridge London.;

Nebo "Sky" is a fashion house that makes really nice, funky clothes and shoes.

Nit "Thread" is definitely not widely known even among Croats but is definitely worth visiting as they have some "funky and arty but serious" clothing items that are "value for money".