This is the ultimate survival guide and info pack for the PARTICIPANTS OF EYE Varaždin!
BASIC INFORMATION
- IMPORTANT NUMBERS
112 – Emergency number (the common emergency telephone number that can be dialed free of charge from any fixed or mobile telephone in order to reach emergency services: ambulance, fire and rescue, police)
192 – Police
193 – Fire department
194 – Emergency medical help
1987 – Help on the road
- VARAŽDIN
Varaždin is one of the two hosts of the European Youth Event (EYE). Therefore, the official name of the event is, naturally, EYE Varaždin.
Varaždin is located in Northern Croatia and is just an hour of a drive from the country’s capital, Zagreb.
EYE VARAŽDIN
EYE Varaždin is one of the most important and biggest events for young people in Europe in 2022. EYE Varaždin is a unique opportunity for 15 to 30 year olds to interact, learn, inspire each other and exchange their views with experts, activists, influencers and decision-makers on Europe’s future. Look at it this way – EYE Varaždin is like a big hub with more than 30 different (and free!) activities for young people from all over Europe and the world. Oh, and by the way, EYE Varaždin is the local edition of EYE (European Youth Event) that is held every two years in Strasbourg. There are Ø BORDERS in attending this event! So, let’s start with the Ø BORDERS and 1ØØ % LOVE.
- DATE
EYE Varaždin will take place on November 25th and 26th
- VENUE & ADDRESS
The venue of the event is the biggest sport hall around – Arena Varaždin, located beside the river Drava
For your GPS locator, just type in “Arena Varaždin” and/or “Šetalište Franje Tuđmana 1, 42000 Varaždin” as an address and you will get there in no time.
Here is the map of the venue Arena Varaždin for better navigation. Download here.
- PARKING & ACCESS
The Arena has a huge and free parking lot with many bike stands as well, while it also has great access for people with disabilities.
- PROGRAMME
What would happen if there were no borders? And by no borders, we mean no visible borders like state lines, or invisible borders like psychological, social, or cultural barriers that hinder us? Recent events and crises around the Europe and the world have shown us how brutal it is to close access to freedom, human rights, or a better life for thousands of migrants or refugees, but on the other hand, there are some great examples (the European Union itself!) of how opening the borders can improve the quality of life, the economy or break down prejudices at individual and global level.
Wow, these are some tough thoughts, but we in Varaždin are ready to tackle them with you at the EYE Varaždin event and program under the name and main message Ø BORDERS. We want to break the barriers between young people and decision-makers, politicians or institutions, we want to try and give – with no borders – recommendations of making our lives better in terms of green politics, migration, democracy and election processes, geopolitics, and culture. And last but not least, we want to show young people the beauty of creating, talking, advocating, or hanging out without Ø BORDERS through the programme.
The structure of the Ø BORDERS programme is based on the three main programme clusters:
- TA POLITIKA – non-formal education activities by young people for young people, interactive together.eu activities, political debates, panel discussions, q&a sessions, open mic, networking activities
- COOLTURA – focusing on youth culture and art, concerts, music awards for young local independent music artists, parties, theater, dance and movement workshops
- HENGANJE – entertainment and chill activities that will balance the dynamic workday of young participants, including sport, outdoor activities, gaming, chillax zone, etc.
The full, detailed programme with timetables will be concluded by mid October. Therefore, anyone who registers will get the notification that the wait is over and the full programme is concluded so you could reserve your spots.
Then you will be able to reserve your spot on the programme activities by the “first come-first served” rule. 🙂
EYE VARAŽDIN IS GREEN
We want to reduce EYE Varaždin’s footprint. We want to reduce litter at EYE Varaždin. And to achieve this, we need your HELP.
We will use as many reusable materials as possible when organizing the event. We will have recycle islands throughout the venue, so please make sure to clean up after yourself and put paper in the paper bin, plastic in the plastic bin, etc.
Every EYE Varaždin participant will get accreditation and a reusable cup at Info Point at the venue. On your accreditation, there will be a QR code with EYE Varaždin programme details, EYE Varaždin website, or additional information. And as for your reusable cup, you can use it for water, coffee, tea, etc at Refreshment spot at the venue.
Please bring your pen and notepad or notebook (just in case you’ll need a pen and paper for workshops or panels). We decided not to have another pile of promo materials that you’ll throw away, lost or use in year 2056. Thank you for bringing your own pen and paper!
COMMUNICATION
The official language of EYE Varaždin is English.
Constant communication is important in order to maximize your experience at EYE Varaždin.
- SOCIAL MEDIA
We know you are on most social media platforms, right?
That’s why here we have links leading to all the social networks where info regarding EYE Varaždin will be shared on.
Quick info, funny bloopers and challenges, extensive reports…we have it all!
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/pecetri
INSTAGRAM: https://www.instagram.com/pecetri/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/p4_varazdin
TIK TOK: https://www.tiktok.com/@pecetrip4
Do you need more extensive info regarding EYE Varaždin? Follow our web page!
WEB: www.eyevarazdin.eu
- TELEGRAM GROUP
A session is being moved to another hall? Last call for participants wishing to join in on disc golf? Someone lost their phone? You want to continue talking with all the amazing EYE Varaždin people? It’s all here.
The goal of this Telegram group is to form an EYE Varaždin community, as well as to inform the participants and respond to your questions in no time. Everyone is in this group, so don’t get left out!
This telegram group will be used for short information and short information only! Here’s the link to the telegram group. Join our EYE Varaždin group now!
Link: https://t.me/+y4peRR5ya9o1Njg0
TRANSPORTATION TO VARAŽDIN
We know you will be arriving to Varaždin from all over Europe so this might be helpful to you. Whether you take a bus, train or fly to Croatia, make sure to have the following information on your mind.
- BUS
Bus is the best choice as there are direct bus lines taking you to Varaždin.
This is the web page of our bus station: https://www.ap.hr/hr/pretraga
In addition to the rides provided by the bus station, you can take a look at what Flixbus has to offer: https://www.flixbus.hr/
- BUS FOR CROATIAN SCHOOLS
If you don’t have access to Croatian railways, and you need to organize transport for a group of people (e.g. high school students from the same or different schools) please contact us: info@pecetri.com
We can arrange a discount if the bus is full.
For example, a bus can pick up a group of people on the same route (e.g. students from several schools in Pula or 15 students from Pula, 10 students from Rijeka, and 25 students from Karlovac or 25 students from Split, 20 students from Zadar, 5 students from Karlovac, etc.).
Please try to connect and fill the buses yourself first and then send us the number of people and the route.
We will then connect you with the bus operator and the bus operator will send you a discount offer.
If you are unable to fill the bus, let us know anyway the number of people and the route.
We will then connect you with the bus operator and they will send you a discount offer.
- PLANE
Flying to Varaždin? Then have this in mind – Varaždin does not have its own airport. The closest airport is the one in Croatia’s capital – Zagreb.
This is the web page of Croatia’s biggest airport: https://www.zagreb-airport.hr/en
Zagreb is an hour drive from Varaždin so you will need to make your way from Zagreb to Varaždin.
There is a bus that takes you from the airport to the Zagreb bus station from which you can go on to Varaždin.
Airport Zagreb – Zagreb bus station / 30 HRK (4 EUR) one direction
Zagreb bus station – Varaždin bus station / ranging from 55-85 HRK (7-12 EUR) one direction
https://voznired.akz.hr/?lang=en
- TRAIN
You like the panoramic views that a train allows you to have.
Look no further, here you can find all the information on discounts and even free rides that will take you to EYE Varaždin!
DISCOUNTS FOR CROATIANS
- Elementary and high school students from Croatia can arrive in Varaždin completely free! The only thing you need to do is to make a HŽ smart card (pametna kartica) which costs 20 HRK (2,65 €) and you can do it here!
- Faculty students from Croatia can get a 50% discount when arriving in Varaždin! The only thing you need to do is to make a HŽ smart card (pametna kartica) which costs 50 HRK (6,64 €) and create your profile “Student K-33X” and you can do it here!
- Young people up to age 26 can get a 30% discount when arriving in Varaždin! The only thing you need to do is to make a HŽ smart card (pametna kartica) which costs 30 HRK (3,98 €) and you can do it here!
DISCOUNTS FOR CROATIANS THAT ARE INELIGBLE FOR THE ABOVE DISCOUNTS AND NON-CROATIANS
PARTICIPANTS FROM CROATIA AND SLOVENIA
- Participants from Croatia and Slovenia that do not belong in any of the above categories can get a discount up to 40% for transportation tickets. In order to be eligible for the discount, you as a participant must take into account the following information:
- Mention that you are traveling to Varaždin for the European Youth Event in Varaždin (EYE Varaždin) at the point of sale of Croatian Railroads (HŽ);
- The discount is applied on all routes within the Republic of Croatia to Varaždin station and back at distances longer than 25 km. The same applies for Slovenian citizens.
- Transportation tickets are issued exclusively as return tickets;
- Each transportation ticket must be certified by the organizers of EYE Varaždin (i.e. our volunteers at THE specifically indicated info point on the venue) in order for it to be valid for return. A passenger who does not have a certified ticket will not be eligible for the discount.
- In order to be eligible for the discount, transportation tickets must be bought physically at the Croatian Railroads (HŽ) points of sale.
PARTICIPANTS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES
- Participants from other countries can get a discount up to 40% for transportation tickets throughout Croatia (only at the points of sale of Croatian Railroads (HŽ). In order to be eligible for the discount, you as a participant must take into account the following information:
- Mention that you are traveling to Varaždin for the European Youth Event in Varaždin (EYE Varaždin) at the point of sale of Croatian Railroads (HŽ);
- The discount is applied on all routes within the Republic of Croatia to Varaždin station and back at distances longer than 25 km.
- Transportation tickets are issued exclusively as return tickets;
- Each transportation ticket must be certified by the organizers of EYE Varaždin (i.e. our volunteers at specifically indicated info points on the venue) in order for it to be valid for return. A passenger who does not have a certified ticket will not be eligible for the discount.
- In order to be eligible for the discount, transportation tickets must be bought physically at the Croatian Railroads (HŽ) points of sale.
- Looking for a potential discount that will take you from your country to Croatia? Make sure to check the European Youth Card page here.
TRANSPORTATION IN VARAŽDIN
EYE Varaždin is green. Therefore we strongly recommend walking whenever possible and/or taking public transport.
- WALK
Varaždin is a perfect town for you to take a walk and enjoy the monuments, absorb the atmosphere and breathe some fresh air. Even though the Arena is located outside the city center, it is still just a 25 minute walk from the main square – Korzo.
Everything else that you need is pretty much a 10 minute walk wherever you want to go. 🙂
- CAR
You like the comfort of your own car. OK, we get you. If that’s the case, then you will be pleased to know that the streets of Varaždin are in pretty good shape and the street system is not too hard to understand.
Also, there are lots of parking spaces around the city center where you can buy a parking ticket (1h = 5 HRK (70 cents)).
If you would like to park your car in a garage, then just go here: https://www.bestinparking.com/hr/hr/garage/garaza-kapucinski-trg
Also, the parking lot beside the venue of EYE Varaždin has many and free parking spaces so you don’t have to worry about parking at all.
Still tho, think green. 🙂
- TAKE A BUS
We know your accommodation will be all over Varaždin.
That is why we’ve arranged different bus stations in the city of Varaždin that will take you to the venue – Arena Varaždin. Oh and yeah, these buses are completely free for all EYE Varaždin participants!
There are three routes that you can take to get to the Arena. For each route there will be buses designated for taking you to the Arena Varaždin.
VIEW BUS LINES TIMETABLE HERE
You can also make your way around Varaždin by taking a taxi or a scooter!
- TAXI SERVICE
We suggest one of the following taxi options.
- Taxi Cammeo – CALL FOR A RIDE: +385 42 414 414
- EKOTAXI – CALL FOR A RIDE: +385 42 590 590
- SCOOTERS
ACCOMMODATION IN VARAŽDIN
There are a couple of accommodation options you can choose from for EYE Varaždin.
- HOTELS AND HOSTELS – YOU BOOK YOUR OWN STAY
- accommodation cost for staying at the hotels and hostels are not covered by the organizers
- make sure to notify your accommodation contacts that you are an EYE Varaždin participant as it will get you an EYE Varaždin special discount (between 10 and 15% depending on the hotel/hostel)
- there are 4 hotels and 1 hostel which will be your hosts during EYE Varaždin
Name of the hotel: Hotel Turist
Link to the hotel: https://www.hotel-turist.hr/en/
Address of the hotel: Aleja kralja Zvonimira 1
Contact information: mail: info@hotel-turist.hr phone: +385 42 395 395
Parking lot: YES
Aprox. Price:
450,00 HRK or 60 EUR per person/night Single room
825,00 HRK or 110 EUR for 2 person/night Standard double
495,00 HRK or 66 EUR 1 person/night single use in Standard double
825,00 HRK or 110 EUR 2 person/night in Superior double
495,00 HRK or 66 EUR 1 person/night in Superior double
Tourist tax is not included in the prices and it should be payed extra 12,00 HRK or 1,59 EUR per person/night
Name of the hotel: Hotel Park Boutique
Link to the hotel: http://www.park-boutique-hotel.eu/en/
Address of the hotel: Ul. Juraja Habdelića 6
Contact information: mail: recepcija@park-boutique-hotel.eu phone: +385 42 420 300
Parking lot: YES
Aprox. Price:
520 HRK or 69 EUR per night, single use
689 HRK or 92 EUR per night, double use
774 HRK or 103EUR per night, triple use
859 HRK or 114 EUR per night, quadruple use
Tourist tax is not included in the prices and it should be payed extra 12,00 HRK or 1,59 EUR per person/night
Name of the hotel: Hotel Varaždin
Link to the hotel: https://hotelvarazdin.com/
Address of the hotel: Kolodvorska ulica 19
Contact information: mail: info@hotelvarazdin.com phone: +385 42 290 720
Parking lot: YES
Aprox. Price:
265,00 HRK or 35,17 EUR per person/night on BB basis
335,00 HRK or 44,45 EUR per person/night on HB basis
385,00 HRK or 51,10 EUR per person/night on FB basis
Supplement for single room is 100,00 HRK or 13,27 EUR per day.
Tourist tax is not included in the prices and it should be payed extra 12,00 HRK or 1,59 EUR per person/night
Name of the hotel: Pansion Garestin
Link to the hotel: https://gastrocom-ugostiteljstvo.com/en/restaurants-en/restaurant-i-pansion-garestin-en/
Address of the hotel: Zagrebačka ulica 34
Contact information: mail: info@gastrocom-ugostiteljstvo.com phone: +385 42 214 314
Parking lot: YES
Aprox. Price:
270,00 HRK or 35,84 EUR per night, single room
400,00 HRK or 53 EUR per night, double room
460,00 HRK or 61 EUR per night, double rooms with separate beds
600,00 HRK or 80 EUR per night, triple room with separate beds
Tourist tax is not included in the prices and it should be payed extra 12,00 HRK or 1,59 EUR per person/night
Name of the hostel: Stara vaga
Link to the hotel: https://www.facebook.com/staravagavz
Address of the hotel: Trg Matije Gupca 61
Contact information: mail: mi2jdoo@gmail.com phone: +385 99 298 0048Parking lot: YES
LOCAL COUCHSURFING AND SCHOOLSURFING – ORGANIZERS PROVIDE YOU WITH ADDITIONAL INFO OF YOUR STAY
- local couchsurfing and staying in a school gym (schoolsurfing) have been organized by the organizers and are completely free of charge! 🙂 However, make sure to pack your sleeping bag as it might come in handy
- keep in mind that there is a limited number of spots available for both couch and schoolsurfing
- You can reserve your couchsurfing bed via registration form
PRIVATE ARRANGEMENT – YOU BOOK YOUR OWN STAY
- if you would like to make your own arrangement for accommodation in Varaždin during EYE Varaždin, you are absolutely free to do so! There are plenty of AirBnB and Booking.com options in the Varaždin area from which you can choose from
ADDITIONAL ENGAGEMENT
- YOUTH IDEAS SPOT
Share your own ideas on the issues that Europe is facing today and your ideas for the Europe of tomorrow. We hear you, and we see you!
Soon!
- MP4
Vote for the SONG OF THE YEAR and the PERFORMER OF THE YEAR!
MP4 is a music programme for young music talents in Varaždin, Croatia. The main goal of this programme is to share music and increase visibility of nine young musicians/bands aka MP4 protégés from the North of Croatia. Check them out here and listen to them live at MP4 Music Awards at EYE Varaždin. Yes, the chosen ones will receive the Song and Performer of the year awards, but all nine musicians or bands will have their performances at EYE Varaždin!
Listen, vote, support!
- PEOPLE PLEASERS
Sure, Northerners are supposed to be wildlings, cold and inaccessible people. But It’s not like that at all! All 50,000 people from Varaždin are a little more withdrawn at first, but in fact, Varaždinci and Varaždinke are great hosts, gourmets, hedonists, who like good time and company. You’ll see for yourself 😉
- LANGUAGE, PLEASE…
The official language of EYE Varaždin is English, but if you want to get closer with the locals, make sure you know basic words 😉
Croatian language is definitely not the easiest language in the world, but if you are a language geek try them out among other participants as well as locals. People from Varaždin usually speak English pretty well, but you can amaze them with a couple of words and phrases.
Start with a greeting:
BOK
Hi/ Bye
Dobro jutro / dobar dan / dobar večer
Good morning / good day / good night!
And continue the conversation…
Kak si? How are you?
Kaj ima? What’s up?
No je! Yeah right! It depends on the context
Koliko je sati? What’s the time?
Kako doći do… / Gdje je? How do I get to… / Where is the…?
Kolko to košta? What’s the price of this?
Hvala / Molim / Oprosti Thanks / Please / Sorry
Top! Wow! Great! In a slang kinda way
We know you will be busy with participating in EYE Varaždin, but if an opportunity for free time arises, these are our suggestions.
- HAVE A DRINK/BITE IN VARAŽDIN!
Aaa yes, Varaždin is the economic, cultural, touristic, and sports center of Northern Croatia, with a young, but strong tech scene. The city center is old but sweet with many old family houses and villas, and of course a castle in the center named Stari grad. The whole town is ideal for enjoying the terraces, drinking coffee or beer / eating a delicacy or a fine meal.
Office Bar
Trg kralja Tomislava 2
Drink beer on Varaždin’s main square – Korzo – and soak up the city.
Medina Škrinja
Ulica Juraja Habdelića 4
It’s the secret terrace in the biggest park in Varaždin.
My Way
Trg Miljenka Stančića 1
Relax on a picturesque Varaždin square with the best view.
Strauss
Ulica Ivana Padovca 2
Yes, guaranteed good coffee and a view of the castle Stari grad with the locals.
Park Boutique Hotel
Ulica Juraja Habdelića 6
Traditional food with a twist.
Santa Maria
Optujski odvojak 12
Mexican/indian food
Banus Grill
Trg bana Josipa Jelačića 24
ćevapčići and more
Restoran Domenico
Trg slobode 7
Italian food and burgers
- TAKE A BREAK
River Drava – take a walk or ride a bike, breathe fresh air and enjoy the nature by Drava river. Arena Varaždin is right beside Drava so you will have the opportunity to take a walk and relax for a bit.
Skate Park, Ulica Gustava Krkleca 3 – hang out with VŽ adrenaline boys and girls, and watch them do wild things with their rollerblades, scooters, BMX bikes, and skates.
Varaždinski plac / City market, Ulica Augusta Šenoe 12 – smell, buy and taste fresh food and groceries which are prepared daily by kumicas (Market Ladies) <3
P4, Preradovićeva 4 – a place for youth and independent culture. Heart of Varaždin 😉
- FUN & LEISURE TIME
Lumini Shopping Mall, Ulica grada Lipika 15 (Donji Kneginec) – a perfect place if you want to take a break from an intense schedule, do shopping, see a good movie, relax and have a cup of good coffee or taste some delicious cake. Copy a (life)style of the Varaždin people! 😉 Lumini Shopping Mall literally has everything you need, don’t be shy to visit their website: www.lumini.hr
The World of Insects, Franjevački trg 10 – department of the Varaždin City Museum, where a valuable and unique collection of more than 4500 insects, assembled by the most eminent Varaždin natural scientist Franjo Košćec is kept.
Stari grad, Šetalište Josipa Jurja Strossmayera 1 – The Old Town (Stari grad) is the most important cultural monument in Varaždin. This gothic-renaissance fortress, which was built and rebuilt several times from the 14th to the 19th century. Apart from signet rings, scepters and historic documents the Museum also shows valuable guild collections, cannons, stone monuments and both side arms and firearms + department with 400 items from the glass, ceramics and clocks collection.
The Museum of Angels, Ulica Silvija Strahimira Kranjčevića 14 – Angels are all around us in Varaždin, and artist Željko Prstec earned his hometown a permanent place in the history of painting and the title of ‘the City where Angels Sleep’.
Kip Grgura Ninskog, Franjevački trg – Check out the Statue of Grgur Ninski. Is there something strange about it? That’s right, his toe is golden! Rub his golden toe for good luck – legend says good things will happen! P.s. you might not hear them, but around the corner there are a couple of angels sleeping as well.
The EYE Varaždin 2022 organizing team cannot wait to meet you and have the best time at EYE Varaždin! Youth Association Varaždinski Underground Club, Scout Association Croatia and Croatian Youth Network with European Parliament wish you a pleasant stay in Croatia and Varaždin. 🙂 C YA SOON!
