Travel & Accom & Currency Advice
Travel Note
The Dream
We’ve tried to pick a location that has a lot to offer for our guests, in a part of the world we love, with a ton to explore nearby. Be it spending time in Venice, or a few hours east or north in Milan or the Italian Alps, or heading south from Rovinj and Zagreb along Croatia’s coast into Dalmatia. Whatever you choose, we hope that your trip will be an adventure for you! And we can’t wait for you to celebrate with us as we embark on this new adventure together. Being a destination we hope we get to spend time with you all during the days prior to the wedding. We'll be in town from Sunday September 24th, and are tentatively hoping for a park/beach get together Monday September 23rd during the day.
Travel Note
Advice on using cards, cash, and foreign currency
EUROPE DOES NOT TIP. If a server puts a tipping section on your receipt it's either a) because it's a really nice restaurant or b) they realised you're American/an English speaker not from the UK. If you feel you must tip then go ahead, but 10% is PLENTY and is considered generous. Croatia has been part of the European Union for a decade now, becoming the 28th member of the EU formally in 2013. Croatia converted to the Euro for currency in January of 2023. So everything will be in Euro's. For those that haven't traveled in Europe before, here are the 3 basic ways to navigate currency: 1. Use your credit card that doesn't have foreign transaction fees. Most american rewards cards have these kinds of incentives. However be prepared that your AMEX won't be accepted at >%50 of places. Visa will be accepted everywhere. 2. Withdraw cash. Your home bank will have partnership banks in Europe where there are no fees for withdrawal (though you'll still get a conversion fee). E.g. for Bank of America or Westpac Bank Australia the partner banks in Europe are: Barclays United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Jersey, Guernsey and the Channel Islands), BNP Paribas (France), BNL D'Italia (Italy), Deutsche Bank (Germany and Spain), UkrSibbank (Ukraine), TEB (Turkey), Scotiabank (wherever it's found) IF WITHDRAWING CASH IT WILL OFTEN ASK YOU IF YOU WANT TO ACCEPT A CONVERSION RATE. ALWAYS DECLINE THIS. This is meaning they'll charge your bank in USD and they'll give you Euro's, however what they're doing is acting as a third party and charging you their own conversion rate. 3. If you absolutely feel you must you can convert cash before hand. If you do this do it at your local bank, not at a currency converter at the airport. That said I've never seen an airport in Europe without an ATM. So just don't do it. If you don't believe me, then trusty Rick Steve's has some advice for Americans traveling: https://www.ricksteves.com/travel-tips/money/cash-tips
Travel Note
Accommodation Recommendations
There is a plethora of accommodation options in Rovinj. Ideally if you stay in the old town or to the southern side of town you will be walkable to everything. Below is listed several hotels that are all within the Maistra collection, and all in the same area. We have a discount code for Grand Park and Monte Mulini (code - CPWED) or if you join their free 'members' program it offers 20% off. There are many other small hotels, Airbnbs, VRBOs, and apartment rentals all in the area. There should be something for any budget. We'll be staying at the Grand Park. It's our wedding and we'll cry if we want to. If you have questions on an accommodation location you're looking at feel free to contact your Cam(cierge) +1 206 849 9157
Hotel
Grand Park Hotel Rovinj by Maistra Collection
This luxury hotel sits harbor side. This is close to everything. At any of the Maistra hotels listed here you're walkable to each of the other hotels.
Discount Code - CPWED
Hotel
Monte Mulini Adults Exclusive Hotel by Maistra Collection
This is close to everything. At any of the Maistra hotels listed here you're walkable to each of the other hotels. This hotel is adults only.
Discount Code - CPWED
Hotel
Lone Hotel by Maistra Collection
This is close to everything. At any of the Maistra hotels listed here you're walkable to each of the other hotels
Hotel
Eden Hotel by Maistra Collection
This is close to everything. At any of the Maistra hotels listed here you're walkable to each of the other hotels
Flight
General Information
There are a few ways to get to Rovinj. Hoping by now you've all got your flights and accommodation booked! 1. Fly to Zagreb, and make the 3 hour drive to Rovinj. Within Croatia car rentals are slightly cheaper than the rest of Europe. 2. Fly to Venice (Marcos Polo), and make the 3 hour drive to Rovinj. Bonus opportunity of spending some time in Venice on either end of your trip, or exploring nearby northern Italy and the Alps. 3. Fly to Venice and take the Ferry to Rovinj. The Ferry takes 3-4 hours, but only runs once a day. 4. Fly to Pula and taxi/Uber to Rovinj. Pula is the closest airport to Rovinj, around 30-40 minutes away. However Pula has less flight options than Zagreb or Venice and would require a connection. Flight Advice: For getting to Croatia or Venice it’s often cheaper to book as separate reservations to your general flight to Europe. Plan to get to a major European hub, such as London, Frankfurt, Paris, Amsterdam. And THEN book a separate flight to either Zagreb or Venice. This is because Europe has many low cost airlines (EasyJet, RyanAir etc) that won’t show up when you’re trying to book directly from Australia or New Zealand or the USA. Just be sure to allow enough time between flights if you’re trying to connect.