WELCOME TO CAVTAT AND DUBROVNIK

The Symposium, to be held on very beautiful place Cavtat, near world jewel Dubrovnik, will give the opportunity to meet like-minded and competent fellow metrologists, together with experts in testing and accreditation from all continents. Seeking assistance from someone on the other country or continent is easy if you walked along Mediterranean seaside, or shared a meal in a friendly fish restaurant, but difficult if you have never met.

Cavtat is the most southern town in Croatia, and the most practical way to reach the town is by air. Cilipi (Dubrovnik) airport is just five kilometers away and well connected. The City of Cavtat has a population of some 1,500 inhabitants, and is itself part of the Dubrovnik Riviera (twenty kilometers south of Dubrovnik, and 3 km of the main coastal highway).

The Cavtat area is most attractive because of the Mediterranean vegetation which covers the whole area; another advantage is unpolluted sea and a very attractive mixture of old and new architecture. Originally it was a Greek settlement called Epidauros. Around 228 BC it was under the Romans and later became a Roman colony. The name Cavtat originates from Civets vet us, as the fugitives in the newly established Dubrovnik used to call their first habitation. In Cavtat there are unique bays, beaches, submarine areas and rich vegetation.

Numerous bars and restaurants line the waterfront, offering everything from cheap pizza to more expensive local specialties: the Cavtat is a good as any, with a repertoire from simple pasta dishes to succulent fresh fish.

The city of Dubrovnik is situated in the very south of the Republic of Croatia. A favourable geographical position of Dubrovnik made its development based on maritime and trading activities very successful through its history. New archaeological excavations proved that the settlement in the foundation of today’s city existed in the 6th century or even earlier. The intensified traffic between the East and the West during and after the Crusade wars in the 12th and 13th centuries induced the prosperity of maritime and mercantile centres in the Mediterranean and the Adriatic and Dubrovnik was one of them. During the 15th century, Dubrovnik became the most significant seafaring and mercantile centre in the Adriatic third to Venice and Ancona.

A small sovereign state without army brought its defensive system to perfection by skilful diplomacy and wide consular activities. The 16th century was the golden age of the Republic of Dubrovnik as the splendour and power of the Venetian Republic declined. Dubrovnik reached and impressive level in its urban and architectural development, which has been sustained to the present times.

In the 17th century, a general crisis in maritime affairs in the Mediterranean and a disastrous earthquake forced the Republic of Dubrovnik to fight for its existence and for political protection of its sovereignty. In the 18th century Dubrovnik got an opportunity for economic revival in the sea borne trade under a neutral flag before the arrival of Napoleon and the fall of the Republic of Dubrovnik in 1808. At the Congress in Vienna in 1815, the region of Dubrovnik became a part of Dalmatia and Croatia and it has been sharing the same political destiny with them ever since.

Following the proclamation of independence of the Republic of Croatia and the Serbian aggression at Croatia, Dubrovnik was attacked in October 1991. Today the cultural and historic heritage of Dubrovnik, which was barbarously damaged during the aggression, has been mostly renovated.

Dubrovnik has preserved the beauty of a medieval town. Its outstanding cultural and historical monuments have earned it a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

The geographical position of the area is typical of the classic Mediterranean climate with mid and damp winters, and hot, dry summers with quite low air humidity. Dubrovnik has over 250 sunny days a year. The average summer temperature is 26 °C (78,8 F) and winter temperature is 10 °C (50 F).

Money
The official currency of the Republic of Croatia is the Kuna, which has 100 Lipa. Foreign currency may be exchanged in banks, exchange offices and post offices in accordance with the valid exchange rate. All major credit cards (American Express, Diners, Visa, Eurocard/Mastercard) and Eurocheques (after being changed in banks) are accepted. Accessing money on ATMs is possible in all larger cities and the more important tourist areas; the ATMs of Zagrebacka banka accept Eurocard/Mastercard, and ATM of Euronet accept Diners, American Express and Visa.

Customs       
Custom duties are not paid on personal objects. Radios, telephones, sporting and professional equipment may be brought into the country after having been registered at the border crossing.

Passports
Passports or other identification documents recognised by international agreement. Tourists may stay for up to three months. A driving license, traffic license and the relevant insurance documents (except for countries that have other regulations) are necessary for entry into Croatia with a vehicle. Animals (dogs, cats and others) must have permission, the yellow health document and certificate of vaccination, especially vaccination against rabies.

Invitation letters/passports & visas
Participants may require official invitation letters to the Symposium for entry visas to Croatia. Please write to helpdesk@rmo2008.org should such a letter be needed. This invitation, however, does not imply commitment to the payment of any expenses. Before requiring the invitation letter participants must be registered to the Symposium and pay the registration fee.

Climate
The entire Adriatic coast has a Mediterranean climate. Spring and autumn are mild along the coast.

Working hours 
Banks and post offices are generally open from 7 AM to 7 PM without breaks, and public offices from Monday to Friday from 8 AM to 4 PM. During the tourist season, post offices are generally open until 9 PM, including Saturdays. Shops and department stores work from 8 AM to 8 PM without breaks.

Time zone
Croatia is one hour ahead of Greenwich mean time (GMT), 6 hours ahead of New York and Montreal, 9 hours ahead of Los Angeles, 4 hours ahead of Sao Paulo, 2 hours behind Moscow, and 8 hours behind Tokyo. Daylight saving time is observed from late March to late September, during which time the clocks are advanced one hour.

Electricity  
Electrical current is 220 volts AC, 50 Hz. Most plugs have two round pins. Visitors from abroad, who wish to operate personal small electronic items, should bring a plug adapter and a transformer.

Other information
About Croatia: www.croatia.hr
About Dubrovnik:
Dubrovnik Online-Travel Guide: www.dubrovnik-online.com
Dubrovnik Tourist Board: www.tzdubrovnik.hr
About Cavtat: www.tzcavtat-konavle.hr and  www.cavtat.info