Croatia & Slovenia

Guidebook corrections:

Please note: The following corrections were submitted by readers and have not yet been confirmed by Rick. Check updates from Rick for the latest.

There are no more toll booths in Slovenia.

Amy in Adler, Md USA 10/26/2009

Dubrovnik - Institute for the Restoration of Dubrovnik. The entrance is not at Zuzoric 6 but around the corner on Pracala, opposite the Irish pub 'The Gaffe'

Richard Lee in Ottawa, ON Canada 10/23/2009

Yes, the restaurant barbakan konoba in motovun, Croatia no longer exists, the new name is " monda konoba". There are no dogs there.

Amy Adler in Baltimore, Md USA 10/22/2009

Dubrovnik--Fresh, Surg and Turf and Smoothie Bar no longer exist.The walls at Ston are closed for reconstruction as of August 2009.

Pat Vinkenes in Arlington, VA USA 09/13/2009

We noticed that prices had increased significantly for all sights and several accommodations.

Julie in Vancouver, BC Canada 09/07/2009

The suggestion to take the airport bus in Dubrovnik from the old Buza gate(cable car station) is not appropriate during high season as the bus is often full and will not stop for you Best to take it from the bus station. (This advice comes from the tourist office.

Jonathan Kaplan in Portola Valley, CA USA 02/08/2009

Not a correction so much as a clarification: In your chapter on Istria, you mention the possibility to rent bikes in Rovinj for a ride to the Golden Cape. This was a great idea and the city parking lot does have a few available at a subsidized price (ours actually ended up being free for 2 hours). But it's important to note that they are actually tricycles! Not very easy to manuever and we created quite a spectacle with the locals when we rode through town ;) I guess they're not designed for tourist purposes but at the same time, we sure didn't see any locals riding them... This was in April 2008 so perhaps they just weren't ready for the tourist season yet but they were brand new so it might be a change in the service offered?

Jakara in Baltimore, MD USA 11/13/2008

Dubrovnik Walls: Contrary to Rick's suggestion to proceed clockwise, the posted signs specify counter-clockwise walking. When the walls are crowded (i.e. all the time), it would be almost impossible to get down some of the narrow stairways that unfit tourists are stumbling up. If the wall entries are really crowded, try going somewhere other than the Pile Gate stairs. I didn't check for sure, but there's some evidence that you might be able to avoid any line by using the upstairs exit from the Maritime Museum, after paying their admission and seeing the museum. If you have limited stamina, it's fair to say that the view of the city is similar whether you walk inland or seaside. But you get to see the islands and "hole-in-the-wall" cliff cafes from the seaside, and get to see the walls from the outside from the inland walls. There are lots of stairs all around the wall walk.

Timothy Buchman in Wyckoff, NJ USA 08/26/2008

The TI in Dubrovnik is no longer outside the Pile Gate. Rather, it has moved into the heart of Old Town, just off the Stradun.

PS -- Peter, a worker at the TI, said to tell Rick hello!

Kristi Gilmore in Birmingham, AL USA 08/01/2008

Hvar: you recommend hiking between Milna and Hvar Town. We did the hike, starting in Hvar Town and connecting up the beaches at Pokonji Dol, Robinson, and Milna. While it's beautiful, and basically flat, this is a serious 2.5 mile hike. There is little shade, and the path is narrow, rocky, and not well marked (occasional spray painted dots, no signs), particularly between Robinson and Milna. I am an experienced hiker, and it was a challenge, even carrying plenty of water, in 100-degree heat in Teva sandals. It wore my girlfriend out, particularly when we took a wrong turn down a side path and ended up at the top of a cliff, looking out at Milna over _another_ bay to hike around. This is not the boulevard of a trail between the Cinque Terre towns. Also, if you do what we did and go Hvar-Milna, you have to cab (or hitchhike) back, for 100 kuna (more by the meter, which I insisted the cabbie use - he graciously only charged us the 100 he wanted in the first place). I'd do it again, but knowing what you're getting into is important.

Croatian buses: charge 6-7 kuna per bag to put bags under the bus, cash at time of boarding. But, some buses have airplane-sized overhead space - check before checking your bag.

Dubrovnik: Surf and Turf is closed.

Bled - it wasn't clear that going to Bled, the bus stop at Lesce is directly across the street from the train station, not the one next to it, and the buses aren't obviously public buses.

Zagreb: it's not in the guidebook at all, but the Croatia History Museum in Gradec _is_ open Mondays, but we were museumed out on our last day and didn't go. Trams are now 8 kuna advance, 10 kuna from the driver, and you can't buy from the driver on the newest, sleekest trams. Couldn't find Mimice - could be closed?

Evan in Seattle , WA USA 07/10/2008

Minor corrections: Bled Castle is now 7 euro per person Boat to the island on Lake Bled is now 12 euro per person Ice cream/snacks/beverages were the only items available at the "restaurant" at Vintgar Gorge

Lisa Valle in Sycamore, IL USA 07/03/2008

In Dubrovnik we searched for Kanoba Kamenice and couldn't find it. We asked several people in the neighborhood just outside the Pile Gate and no one knew of it. We walked about the building indicated in the guidebook and saw no signs of a market square (just a parking lot), and we saw a building that had been demolished. There was a Buffet Kamenice in the old town. Maybe we were just tired, but it sounded good and we never found it.

Russell Dohrmann in Boulder, CO USA 06/20/2008

New e-mail for Villa Fortuna B&B in Mostar is fortuna_headoffice@bih.net.ba. E-mail in 2008 guidebook did not work, but telephone number is OK. Villa Fortuna also has a webite www.villafortuna.ba that includes a reservation request form on the Contact page. Form is user friendly and response to request was very prompt.

Frank in Wilmington, DE USA 06/16/2008

No. However, one of the postings related to this book said that highway A1 from Split to Dubrovnik was 50% complete. This is incorrect - it is still only 20% complete as guidebook notes.

Jeanne Barsanti in Watkinsville, GA USA 06/09/2008

Prices for sites and restaurants were higher in many occasions. Some of the information was a bit outdated. Krema Ulika, the book lists main dishes at 50-80 Kuna, the prices are now more than doubled. You can't find a main course for less then 120 Kuna

Anna in Seattle, WA USA 06/02/2008

Dobar Dan!

The Marco Polo Travel Agency where Rick instructs you to pick up Krilo Express Tickets is now closed for good.

We were there last week so I can personally verify this.

In front of the Hotel Korcula is a small Krilo Express office, it actually looks like a toll booth, they sell the tickets you will need for the catamaran ride in either direction. The hours are very limited and during high season I would suggest you walk by, check out the hours and buy your tickets ahead of time since seats are limited during high season. It was actually quite crowded during low season.

Also, the Krilo Express ramp from the dock to the catamaran is steep for carrying luggage up if you have any sort of health/balance issues, just ask one of the workers and they will assist you.

isailtheseas in SFO Bay Area, CA USA 05/20/2008

folks, the background of yugoslav conflict is insulting if not plain stupid. next time try to write it neutrally without serbian assistance.

Gess in Zagreb, USA 05/04/2008

Croatia and Slovenia...Zagreb is a bargain for those over 65...tram rides and busses are all free plus there is a reduced museum entry fee

Valerie Lambertson in South San Francisco, CA USA 05/03/2008

In the 2007 guidebook I believe the write-up on "The Muslims of Mostar" is misleading. I am not an expert on Islam, but I have read and listened enough to know that Jews, Christians and Muslims all have the same God; the Muslim word for God is Allah. The sentence "They call their God Allah" implies that they have a separate God. Muslims accept the Hebrew Scriptures and the Christian New Testament. They believe Jesus was a great prophet but not divine. I'm sure this was not intentional, but there is enough misinformation around about Muslims without adding to it.

Jinny Danzer in St. Louis, MO USA 01/04/2008

On page 220 under the heading "Tours," you recommend hiring friendly Pepo Klaic' as a driver and adding, "Note that Pepo is a driver, not a tour guide." My husband and I recently (10/22/07) hired Pepo to drive us to the Bay of Kotor in Montenegro. Pepo is not only a good driver, but an outstanding tour guide, as well. Pepo politely asked if we would like to take a side trip to hear about his experiences during the war. Of course, we agreed. Driving through small Croatian villages to the top Mt.Srd he shared his passionate story of defending his homeland during the seige of Dubrovnik. It was the highlight of our trip, listening to his story, a story of great suffering and of renewal. That day the three of us could share our common desire for freedom, peace and justice throughout the world. Isn't this what travel is all about? It is an experience that we will never forget...thanks to Pepo!

Lana Gilster in Minneapolis, MN USA 11/09/2007

i feel the Budva section of the book was misleading because it didnt say much about Montenegra & Budva. We spent 4 days 3 at one of Beechies new 4 & 5 star hotels right on the beach and it was great. Super inexpensive considering we had a full service spa, pool, gym, breakfast and beach front view. Even the main beach town of Budva was better than we expected and I feel worth the trip. I^m traveling now so I cant provide the hotel names but I will soon. We also met some great people in Dubrovnik and had a enjoyable stay. I will send those names on also so you can contact and possibly add to your next guide book.

Sarah in Hoboken, NJ USA 11/09/2007

Re: Rovinj, Croatia, pp.102-103 of RS' C&S 2007. Villa Baron Gautsch's extra 40 kn for balcony is per PERSON, AND per night.

Vicki in San Diego, CA USA 10/09/2007

Ferry between Lepatani and Kamenari was 4Euros when we crossed on Sept. 11th.

Veda Faler in Bainbridge Island, WA USA 09/16/2007

The one day self-guiding drive through the Julian Alps isn't realistic. Unless you're going to spend ALL of your time in a car, you need at least 2 days for that itinerary.

Dave in Philadelphia, PA USA 09/04/2007

Regarding Medjugorje: Page 282 of Croatia and Slovenia 2007 states that "The Vatican has shown strong signs of disbelief and disapproval. In their eyes Catholics are allowed to travel to Medjugorje, but not make a pilgrimage there—and shouldn’t believe the story.” This is not quite true. While the Bishop of Mostar (under whom Medjugorje falls) and his predecessor have reacted negatively towards the apparitions, the matter is no longer in their hands. Cardinal Ratzinger, (now Benedict XVI) relieved Bishop Zanic of Mostar of the diocesan commission and referred it to the Bishops Conference of (then) Yugoslavia. The Bishops Commissions April 9, 1991 statement was neither an endorsement of the validity of the apparitions nor a condemnation of them. The faithful are neither recommended nor prohibited by the Vatican from making pilgrimages to Medjugorje or prohibited from believing in the testimony of the seers. The only prohibition in effect is against priests or bishops leading pilgrimages of the faithful to Medjugorje. Bishops and priests are however allowed go on pilgrimage and take care of the spiritual needs of pilgrims. Of course Christians are divided on their belief or non-belief in the apparitions. I hope though that this note may help shed some light on the Church’s position on the matter.

Jeremy Schwager in Virginia Dale , CO USA 08/01/2007

Something to be aware of...as much as we loved our time in Croatia (May 2007), we were surprised by the number of spray-painted swastikas on buildings all over the country, and by the casual "are you Jewish?" comment made by a vendor when we asked the price of an item we were looking to buy. Some travellers may want to take this into account when planning a trip.

Lisa Riegel in New York, NY USA 06/11/2007