I guess I should not have been surprised with the reaction when I told anyone who was interested where I was going on my vacation this past fall.  Croatia.

“Where?”

“Be careful. They are still fighting over there.”

“Is that part of Russia?”

It helped only a little more when I pinpointed the exact spot as Dubrovnik.

“Oh, yes, my aunt was on a cruise there once.  She loved it.”

To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure why I was going to Dubrovnik except for the fact that, like “someone’s aunt,” I never spoke to anyone who had been there that didn’t love it.  And with good reason.

Dubrovnik, known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” is a beautiful coastal Mediterranean town in Croatia (the former Yugoslavia).  It has long been a wealthy, maritime-based city rich in history—some of which was violent, as it was second only to Venice in terms of wealth and trade.  Unfortunately, that violence extended all the way up to 1991 with the Serbo-Croatian War, when the city came under attack by the Serbs with the break- up of Yugoslavia.

I am happy to report that Dubrovnik has been put back together with streets of marble in the Old City, beautiful turrets, walls around the city 2 km long which you can spend an entire afternoon walking, great seafood, 3 small islands off the coast with beaches and parks, and a city full of very friendly people.  Dubrovnik is very crowded during the summer, as it is a favorite stop for cruise ships. But come October, the crowds ease up and the weather is still sunny and warm.

Be sure to take a day trip to the tiny country of Montenegro next door to Dubrovnik where Kirk Douglas and Catherine-Zeta Jones summer, and where parts of a James Bond movie were filmed on the winding, mountain roads.  Combine it with a some wine tasting in the Peljesac region. Then spend a day touring the incredibly beautiful island of Korcula, supposed birth place of Marco Polo.

There is plenty to keep you busy in Dubrovnik  and environs for a week.  Hotels come in all price ranges.  The Hotel Bellevue, where I stayed, is built into a cliff with the lobby on ground level and the rest of it below ground level with beautiful views from your room’s balcony  of the Adriatic and the hotel’s private beach.

If you have time, head to either Split or Zagreb, the capital, for a couple more days in a more traditional but fun atmosphere.  But by all means, listen to “someone’s aunt”—or me—and go to Croatia!

We’re pleased to introduce guest blogger Barbara Barnard, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for CWT North America, to share some exciting news CWT recently received.

As a traveler, you’ve had the opportunity to visit new cities, meet new people, and maybe even get involved in different communities. As you’ve seen covered on this blog before, CWT in 2011 partnered with Habitat for Humanity to shift the focus of our annual client event toward a greater purpose than just getting together and having a good time.

The interactive event allowed participants to make their mark on a Habitat house CWT was supporting, including the chance to meet the local Denver family who would soon live there. (The family, Miriam and her children, were an inspiration to all of us at CWT. You can meet them too, by clicking here.) That house is now completed, and the family is enjoying a safe, healthy environment they can call home.

But while the house is complete, the celebration continues. We’re excited to announce that CWT’s “Impact on the Gridiron” event has been named as one of four finalists for PR News’ CSR Awards in the event category! We’ll find out in a few months whether we’ve won, but honestly, we’re just excited that the passion and hard work of our employees, event sponsors, and Habitat for Humanity have been recognized more broadly by CSR professionals. And, we’re honored to be among a truly amazing group of nominees which include renowned companies as Coca Cola, The Walt Disney Company, Best Buy, and many more. We’re proud of the focus CWT has put on corporate social responsibility, and we hope that at least one person who hears about our efforts might be inspired to become more active in their own community.

Of course, one of the greatest rewards for being a part of a socially responsible company is knowing that your organization cares about making a difference. Not just on our bottom line, but in our community, on our environment, and in the individual lives of our neighbors near and far.

What’s the most rewarding experience you’ve had while giving back to your community or a community to which you’ve traveled? We’d love to hear your stories in the comments below. And if you’re interested in getting involved with Habitat for Humanity in your local community, check out their website here.

Have you taken any business trips yet in 2012? If so, did you find that your company’s travel policy has changed for the new year? Don’t forget, it’s always wise to check the most current version of your travel policy (generally posted on your company’s intranet or travel portal) before planning your trip – there may be pre-trip approvals necessary for some trips, or you might need to double-check the expense guidelines for things like meals and ground transportation. It’s also important to make sure you’re booking with your company’s preferred suppliers to ensure your organization is getting the best value possible.

Please take a moment to participate in our short poll below to tell us about any policy changes you’re seeing this year.

Safe Travels!

Winter in New York—it’s the cozy setting for many a storybook and movie scene. And what’s better to take the chill out of the day than a steaming beverage to wrap your chilly fingers around? I can’t think of many things that fit the bill quite like a rich and delicious cup of hot cocoa. And New York is a proverbial melting pot for cocoa lovers. Check out the top five places to grab a cup of cocoa in the big apple as ranked in a recent post from Fodor’s Travel blog. Have you sampled any of the top hot chocolate spots mentioned? Personally, I have sipped the smooth, rich concoctions at Jacques Torres (mentioned at the end of the list), and have to give a hearty nod to their Wicked Cocoa. Do you have any recommendations for readers to find a warm beverage in your neck of the woods?

Travel has become increasingly restricted as we are all painfully aware.  Many of us in the United States travel frequently to visit our friendly neighbor, Canada, and may not think much about entry requirements (other than the now-required passport).  A little-known barrier to entry to Canada is a prior criminal conviction, even if a minor offense.  For example, Canadian law may deny entry if you have been convicted of a minor offense such as theft, shoplifting, assault, or illegal substance possession.  Other more serious offenses are also reason to deny entry and these would include DWI convictions.  Additional details are available from the Canada Border Services Agency website.

Travel into the United States from Canada is slightly less restrictive but does not allow entry if you have a communicable disease or have been convicted of a crime of moral turpitude (among other restrictions).  U.S. Customs and Border Protection offers further detail of such crimes and the process for applying for temporary waivers of inadmissibility on its website. It also states, “At this time, driving under the influence, breaking and entering, disorderly conduct and simple assault are not considered crimes that make a person inadmissible.”

When traveling to or from our neighboring country, keep this in mind, and if you have any questions or doubts, check the U.S. or Canadian government websites.  Better to be prepared, than to have a trip aborted at the airport.