TRAVEL UPDATE ON CROATIA – DECEMBER 2006

1. Currency: The currency is still the Kuna, at approximately 10 to the pound sterling. We found Euros were acceptable at some campsites, but in general payments had to be in Kuna. For example, the ticket office of the Roman site in Pula directed us to the nearest ATM to obtain local currency. Fuel and motorway tolls were payable in Kuna or by credit card – not Euros – despite the adoption of the Euro in neighbouring countries Slovenia and Montenegro.

2. Motorway: In December 2006 we drove the splendid new inland motorway from Rijeka to Split, where it currently finishes (work continues on the section to Dubrovnik). It makes a good alternative to the narrow and slow coast road if you've already done that and wish to see the mountains, or in the busy summer period. It was virtually traffic-free, very impressive (many tunnels and viaducts) and well served with rest areas and excellent spacious service stations, suitable for overnight parking. The toll paid at the Split exit for the entire trip was 240 Kuna (under 24 pounds) for an 8-metre motorhome.

3. Winter Camping: Most campsites are only open April/May to September/October. At Split (where there was absolutely no room to park, however briefly, even at the ferry port) we found a new campsite, ideal for visiting the town and Diocletian's Palace. However, the man in Reception insisted that camping had closed the previous week and he was just doing the accounts! Camping Stobrec is 2 miles east of the Split junction (or 5 miles from the ferry), on the right of the E65 coast road towards Omos, well signed, with easy access and by the sea. Opening dates for 2007 are approximately 1 April-30 November.

At Ston we again parked overnight. There is now a large free car park, on the left at the entrance to the village. Overlooked by the police station, it should be good for a safe night.

At Dubrovnik, Camping Solitudo (open all year when we stayed in November 2003) was firmly closed in December 2006. We found the only campsite open in the area was Camping Matkovica near Srebeno Bay, 7 miles east of Dubrovnik, on the right of E65 towards the airport and the Montenegrin border. It's a small site, run by a friendly English-speaking resident family, and we had the place to ourselves. The larger Camping Porto nearby was closed. There is a bus into Dubrovnik once an hour and Daniella supplies maps and information.

4. Supermarkets: There are a couple of good supermarket chains, including 'Konsum' and 'Spar', which take credit cards. No sign of Aldi or Lidl – yet.

5. See Log for December 2006 – Especially for the visit to the Roman amphitheatre at Pula on 6 December.