NEW! INFO ON LOCAL TRANSPORTATION
Most of you will probably choose a ferry ride from Split to Supetar (on the island of Brač). Ferries Split - Supetar are frequent and comfortable (check the timetable and purchase online ticket at http://www.jadrolinija.hr/en/ferry-croatia ). When the ferry docks to Supetar, you will only need to organize your onward travel to Bol. Bol is on the other side of the island, 38 km from Supetar. You have basically three options for this scenic ride across the Brač Island:
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1. Bus Supetar – Bol is a very convenient option. The ride price is 40 kn. Bus station is at mere 5 mins walk from the ferry port in Supetar. Buses Supetar – Bol are air-conditioned, comfortable and follow the ferry timetable. A drawback of this option is the fact that the bus will drop you at the bus station in Bol, from where there is a pleasurable but rather long walk to the hotel (I would estimate it to 20 to 25 mins) For the bus timetable and online ticket purchase go to https://www.autotrans.hr/en-us/home .
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2. ECS3 BlueSun shuttle service Supetar – Bol. The van will pick you up at the ferry in Supetar, and the driver will wait for you with an ECS3 marked board. The van will drive you directly to the hotel in Bol. This comfort is, of course a bit more expensive: 400 kn for a van which canb accommodate up to 8 people. Final price is calculated based on the number of passengers (in an ideal case of 8 people in the van, the price is 50 kn per person). You can pay at the reception when you arrive to the hotel. To book this, please send an email to reservations@bluesunhotels.com with a subject "ECS3 shuttle required": Please provide the time of your arrival to the Supetar port (check the ferry timetable online at http://www.jadrolinija.hr/en/ferry-croatia ).
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3. Shared taxis are many waiting for the passengers at the ferry port in Supetar. Typically the price is 50 kn/person if the car/van is full, but you might be able to negotiate the price with the driver.
If you are coming with your own car, you just take the ferry in Split, and when you get out of the ferry in Supetar, you will easily find your way to Bol (38 km of an enjoyable ride across the island). We recommend purchasing tickets online at http://www.jadrolinija.hr/en/ .
Finally, there is, of course, the option of catching a speedboat directly from Split to Bol, but not many of you will be able to do so, as there is only one ride daily , at 16:30. For the details and online ticket purchase go to http://www.jadrolinija.hr/en/
How to arrive to Bol
Step 1: Arrive to Split
By plane: Split international airport is very well connected to the major European cities. From the Split airport there is a bus running regularly to the Split bus station, just opposite the ferry port from where you are to continue your journey to the island of Brač.
By bus*: There is plethora of companies connecting Split to Zagreb, and/or to the other Croatian cities, as well as to the cities throughout the region. Bus station is located just opposite the ferry port from where you are to continue your journey to the island of Brač. For more information contact web pages of Zagreb Bus Terminal and Split Bus Terminal as well as Autotrans (being one of the major Croatian bus companies).
By car: Split is connected to the world by an extensive highway network. Drive from Zagreb takes 3,5 hrs.
*Please note that some bus companies run directly from Zagreb or Split to Bol. Should you opt for it, the bus will take you to the ferry and off the ferry, as well as from the port of Supetar on the island of Brač to Bol, and there will be only a 20 – 30 mins walk from the Bol bus station to the Elaphusa hotel.
Step 2: From Split to the island of Brač
By ferry Split – Supetar: Comfortable ferries connect Split and the major port on the island of Brač (city of Supetar) in mere 50 mins, more than ten times daily (last departure at 23:59, first at 5:00).
By speedboat Split – Bol: Speedboat (passengers only) departs once a day from Split and in mere 45 mins takes you directly to Bol passenger port, from where there is a 20 – 30 mins easy walk to the Elaphusa hotel.
Step 3: From the Supetar ferry port to the Elaphusa hotel
By shuttle taxi: As soon as you get out of the ferry, you will see many comfortable vans going to Bol. The approximate fare per passenger is 50,00 HRK and you will be left at the hotel front gate
By bus: Next to the ferry port in Supetar, there is a bus station. Buses run several time daily to Bol. From the bus station in Bol to the Elaphusa hotel, there is a pleasant, 20 - 30 mins easy walk.
Practical information
Visa
Since April 1st, 2013, the Republic of Croatia has been applying the European Union’s Common Visa Policy. According to the decision of the Government of the Republic of Croatia, all aliens who are holders of valid Schengen documents, as well as national visas and residence permits of Bulgaria, Cyprus, and Romania do not require an additional (Croatian) visa for Croatia. Important official information on visa issues is given at the website of the Ministry of Foreign and European Affaires of the Republic of Croatia. For bona fide participants who need visa to enter Croatia, the Organizing Committee of the ECS3 will provide the necessary attestation to facilitate the application process. Following strictly the policy of the European Crystallographic Association (ECA), the Organizing Committee of the ECS3 will issue the visa support letter only after the applicant have already registered with the conference. Any problems during the visa application process, after all documentation has been provided, can be reported to the Organizing Committee of the ECS3 for further assistance.
Detailed info on visas for Croatia: Everything on Croatian Visas - Who, How, When and Where.pdf
Weather
Croatia has two climates – typical subtle Mediterranean along the coast, and a less gentle, continental in the interior. The coastal climate consists of hot, dry, sunny summers, and relatively mild – though sometimes wet and windy – winters. Average temperatures during summer lie between 25 °C and 35 °C. Winters are obviously cooler, although temperatures rarely get below 5°C. Anything colder than this is considered a freak weather, though not impossible. The continental climate exists in the interior of Croatia which means that winters can be pretty cold, with temperatures often falling below 0°C. Snow is very likely, and can be pretty heavy during the winter. Summers, on the other hand, can very often be sweltering with temperatures often reaching 30°C.
Air-conditioning is becoming more and more common in Croatia, so wherever you are during the summer, it is more than likely that your accommodation (hotel or private) may well have it, providing you with a bit more comfort in summer. Air-con is also omnipresent in shops, public institutions, offices, cafes, restaurants and bars both along the coast and in the interior of Croatia.
Along the coastline, late August and September still usually have glorious, sunny weather with warm temperatures, and the sea will also still be warm enough for swimming. May is also a great month to visit Croatia, as temperatures have already risen to a pleasant level and you’ll have more and more sunny days, but will be without any of sweltering heat that will make you want to lie down every half an hour. And, what is important, during both May and September you’ll avoid the ever growing crowds, especially on the illustrious Croatian beaches.
One reasonably famous – or most likely, infamous – aspects of Croatian weather that you may have heard mentioned, or even experienced yourself, is the “bura”. The bura is a very strong north-easter wind that blows towards the coastline, and is felt strongest along the Velebit mountain range (between Rijeka and Zadar). It normally occurs in winter, though some of its effects can be felt all year round. The strong wind occurs due to the two different climate types clashing and, as such, the wind is considered unpredictable and strong strokes can happen rather suddenly. Wind speed can reach over 125 miles/200 kilometres per hour. Unsurprisingly, the bura causes disruption to those sailing off the coast, though serious problems to traffic due the Bura can also occur on land, especially on the roads and highways from the interior towards to coastal areas.
Health
The health care in Croatia, as well as the drugs supply is generally up to the western standards. There are no threats regarding the infectious diseases. The HIV/AIDS rate is among the lowest in EU.
The Organizing Committee of the ECS3 will make every effort to assist any participant in health care issues. However, we cannot pledge ourselves to any financial or legal consequence related to health accidents of any individual participant of the ECS3. To be on the safe side, please think of the health insurance before your trip. There are many insurance companies which provide suitable travel health policies valid in Croatia. If you opt for this, keep in mind that you might pay the medical services in Croatia, and get reimbursed upon your return.
