First Information

Welcome to Zagreb

Dear friends of sport,

We are proud that Zagreb has become one of the foremost centers of this demanding and attractive sport that symbolizes unity and team spirit, hard work and perseverance, mutual encouragement and respect. This was possible only because of the organizational skills of enthusiasts gathered around the synchronized skating club "Zagreb Snowflakes" and the effort and progress of its skaters.

A Brief History of Zagreb

Today's Zagreb has grown out of two medieval settlements that for centuries developed on neighbouring hills. The first written mention of the city dates from 1094, when a diocese was founded on Kaptol, while in 1242, neighbouring Gradec was proclaimed a free and royal city. Both the settlements were surrounded by high walls and towers, remains of which are still preserved.

During the Turkish onslaughts on Europe, between the 14th and 18th centuries, Zagreb was an important border fortress. The Baroque reconstruction of the city in the 17th and 18th centuries changed the appearance of the city. The old wooden houses were demolished, opulent palaces, monasteries and churches were built. The many trade fairs, the revenues from landed estates and the offerings of the many craft workshops greatly contributed to the wealth of the city. Affluent aristocratic families, royal officials, church dignitaries and rich traders from the whole of Europe moved into the city. Schools and hospitals were opened, and the manners of European capitals were adopted. The city outgrew its medieval borders and spread to the lowlands. The first parks and country houses were built. Zagreb confirmed its position as the administrative, cultural and economic centre of Croatia.

When Kaptol, Gradec and the surrounding settlements were administratively combined into the integrated city of Zagreb in 1850, the development accelerated still more. The disastrous earthquake of 1880 sparked off the reconstruction and modernization of many shabby neighbourhoods and buildings. Prestigious public buildings were erected, parks and fountains were made, and transportation and other infrastructures were organized.

In the 19th century the population increased tenfold. The twentieth century brought the Secession style to Zagreb. The city lived in the plenty of a civil society, with firm links with all the central European centres. With an increase in wealth and industry from the 1960s on, the city spread out over the wide plains alongside the Sava River, where a new, contemporary business city has develop, ready for the challenges of the third millennium.

THE ARENAS

The venue for the Zagreb Snowflakes Trophy is Dom sportova Arena. It has a seating capacity of about 5000 seats and was built in 1973. The ice surface is 60 x 30 m.

THE HOTELS

Four Points Sheraton - Panorama Hotel **** (www.hotel-fourpointspanorama.com) is the official hotel for Officials, ISU, Judges, Teams and Guests. Hotel is situated opposite of the Dom sportova Arena in the same square, Trg Krešimira Ćosića. It is within walking distance to the town center (20 minutes) and 15 minutes bus ride to the Practice Arena.

Room	Price
Single	70 EUR
Double	90 EUR
Triple	105 EUR
Apartment (3 persons)	135 EUR
Family Apartment (4 persons)	140 EUR

Hotel Laguna *** (www.hotel-laguna.hr) will serve as the official hotel for Press and Chaperons for the Championships. It is located two blocks from the Dom sportova Arena (700 m or 10 minutes max. walking distance).

Room	Price
Single	55 EUR
Double	72 EUR
Triple	90 EUR

MEALS

All Meals will be served at the Official Hotels.
Meal price: 14 EUR/meal (lunch or dinner) in both official hotels

CLOSING PARTY

Closing party will be held on Saturday, January 15, 2011 at 22.30 hours in the Four Points Sheraton Panorama Hotel.

Ticket price 22 EUR

View seats in Dom Sportova Arena

For all accommodation arrangements please contact Zagreb Tourist board on www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr or +385 1 4814 052 and +385 1 4814 054.

VISITOR INFORMATION

Zagreb is the capital of Croatia, one of Europe's youngest countries - a parliamentary democracy that adopted its constitution in 1990 and was internationally recognized in 1992. It is geographically, culturally and historically in the very heart of Europe.

LANGUAGE

The official language is Croatian. Many people, especially young, speak English.

WEATHER

Inland Croatia has a continental climate, warm in summer, cold in winter. In Zagreb temperature can easily reach 34ºC (90ºF) in high summer (June-August) and drop to -14ºC (6ºF) in winter. Temperatures start to rise from early March.
January can be cold with average temperatures around 0 ºC, there is a slight possibility of snow.

TIME DIFFERENCES

GTM (Greenwich Mean Time) + one hour. During March to October, GTM + two hours.

ELECTRICITY

The voltage in Croatia is 220 V, 50 Hz, which is the same as the rest of Europe.

CURRENCY & EXCHANGE

The basic Croatian currency unit is KUNA.
Coins are 1, 2 KUNA; coin and paper bill: 5 KUNA, paper bills: 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, 1000 KUNA.
1 KUNA contains 100 LIPA. Coins are 1,2,5,10,20 and 50.
Foreign Currency can be exchanged for local money in banks, official exchange offices, post offices, etc.

BANKING HOURS

Many bank branches and exchange offices are normally open from 8 a.m. to 7-p.m. non-stop (Monday-Friday), and from 8 a.m. to 12 noon (Saturdays).
Most of the banks have cash machines (ATMs), which operate 24 hours a day.
At the Airport, banks are open every day (including Sunday and holidays) from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

POST OFFICE

Post boxes are yellow in Croatia and the times of collections are indicated on the box.
The main Post Office in Zagreb is in Jurišićeva 13, with opening hours from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday- Friday and from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

OPENING HOURS

Government offices work from 8.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Most shops and department stores are open non-stop, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

TIPPING

A "service charge" is already included in restaurant bills, but it is customary to "round up" the bill in a restaurant (but not if you just have a drink).
For special services rendered by hotel personnel usually expect tips between 10-50 KUNA.

TAX-FREE SHOPING

Tourist whose purchases exceed 500 KUNA may claim a PDV (VAT) return for all goods except petroleum products when leaving the country with TAX CHEQUE receipts verified by the Croatian Customs Office. Time limit for tax refunds is one year.

CREDIT CARDS

All major credit cards like: American Express, Diners Club, Eurocard/Master Card, Visa, JCB and Eurocheques are advertised at points of sale, are normally accepted throughout Croatia.

LIQUOR LAWS

The minimum legal drinking age in Croatia is 18 years.

TELEPHONE

Public telephone boxes accept only phone cards available in post-offices and convenience stores.

ZAGREB AIRPORT

Zagreb International Airport at Pleso is about 30 minutes away from the city center by car and can be reached by bus or taxi. Croatia Airlines operate a bus service from Zagreb bus station, which runs half-hourly to hourly from 4 a.m. to 7 p.m. time of departure depend upon flights. Return buses from the airport are on about the same schedule.

Taxi price from the airport to the city center varies between 150-200 KUNA.

EMBASSIES, CONSULATES AND VISA REQUIREMENTS

All necessary information can be found at www.mvp.hr