Croatia - help with itinerary please
Apr 2nd, 2007, 04:36 PM
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Croatia - help with itinerary please
Hello. Thanks in advance for any help. We will be going to Croatia for two weeks for our honeymoon. We are planning on starting in Dubrovnik, spending two nights there, and then heading up to Split and splitting our time between the city and the nearby islands (either Hvar or Vis, or both -- thoughts on that are welcome.). We may also take a ferry to Italy for two days. After the Split region, we are torn on where to go next. It is either taking the train to Zagreb for a night or two (and departing from there) or heading further north on the coast and then making our way back down to Split for departure. So some questions:
Is Zagreb worth visiting? We want to get some urban culture, but will Split fill that need?
Is it silly to go up to Opatija and then back down to Split to leave. Flying out of Rijeka doesn't seem to be an easy option. If we are that far north, should we just try to leave out of Zagreb? Which is the better drive/bus ride/train trip: Rijeka to Zagreb or Rijeka to Split?
Is this too much traveling around? Are we taking on too much? We want to relax.
Lots of questions, I know. We are just a bit torn. Any insight is appreciated! Thanks much!
Is Zagreb worth visiting? We want to get some urban culture, but will Split fill that need?
Is it silly to go up to Opatija and then back down to Split to leave. Flying out of Rijeka doesn't seem to be an easy option. If we are that far north, should we just try to leave out of Zagreb? Which is the better drive/bus ride/train trip: Rijeka to Zagreb or Rijeka to Split?
Is this too much traveling around? Are we taking on too much? We want to relax.
Lots of questions, I know. We are just a bit torn. Any insight is appreciated! Thanks much!
Apr 2nd, 2007, 05:06 PM
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When is your honeymoon?
Will you have a car? I'd recommend one for anything north of Split.
Two weeks sounds like a long time, but I wouldn't take 2 days and go to Italy. I'd stay in Croatia.
Two places not to miss, IMHO, are Dubrovnik (which you are going to, but I'd stay more than 2 days, probably 4-5) and Plitvice National Park (which you didn't mention). If you flew out of Zagreb, after you leave Split, you can go to Plitvice for a night before moving on to Zagreb. You won't regret it.
I think Istria is a nice contrast to the Southern coast of Croatia. Rovinj has strong Italian influences, and the hills are lush with numerous quaint towns which are fun to explore. Opatija is nice as well. You can explore the inland areas from Opatija, and make (long) day trips to Porec/Rovinj.
That said, if you want to see lots of Croatia I'd go Dubrovnik (min of 3 nights with a day trip to Montenegro), Korcula or Hvar for 2 nights, Split/Trogir for 1-2 nights, Opatija/Istria for 2-3 nights, Plitvice for 1 night, Zagreb for 1 night.
If you want to relax more and move less, then skip Opatija/Istria and spend more time on the islands. I still would work my way to Plitvice and fly out of Zagreb, however.
Congratulations on your wedding!
Will you have a car? I'd recommend one for anything north of Split.
Two weeks sounds like a long time, but I wouldn't take 2 days and go to Italy. I'd stay in Croatia.
Two places not to miss, IMHO, are Dubrovnik (which you are going to, but I'd stay more than 2 days, probably 4-5) and Plitvice National Park (which you didn't mention). If you flew out of Zagreb, after you leave Split, you can go to Plitvice for a night before moving on to Zagreb. You won't regret it.
I think Istria is a nice contrast to the Southern coast of Croatia. Rovinj has strong Italian influences, and the hills are lush with numerous quaint towns which are fun to explore. Opatija is nice as well. You can explore the inland areas from Opatija, and make (long) day trips to Porec/Rovinj.
That said, if you want to see lots of Croatia I'd go Dubrovnik (min of 3 nights with a day trip to Montenegro), Korcula or Hvar for 2 nights, Split/Trogir for 1-2 nights, Opatija/Istria for 2-3 nights, Plitvice for 1 night, Zagreb for 1 night.
If you want to relax more and move less, then skip Opatija/Istria and spend more time on the islands. I still would work my way to Plitvice and fly out of Zagreb, however.
Congratulations on your wedding!
Apr 2nd, 2007, 06:47 PM
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captainchaos,
You got great advice from issy – considering this is your honeymoon, save Italy for another time and spend the whole 2 weeks in Croatia. We did a similar trip last year and spent:
1 night in Zagreb (only because we flew there)
2 nights Plitvice – hilgly recommended
4 nights Rovinj
3 nights Hvar
4 nights Dubrovnik
Congrats on your upcoming wedding. Croatia is beautiful, you will love it.
You got great advice from issy – considering this is your honeymoon, save Italy for another time and spend the whole 2 weeks in Croatia. We did a similar trip last year and spent:
1 night in Zagreb (only because we flew there)
2 nights Plitvice – hilgly recommended
4 nights Rovinj
3 nights Hvar
4 nights Dubrovnik
Congrats on your upcoming wedding. Croatia is beautiful, you will love it.
Apr 3rd, 2007, 04:20 AM
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Hi Captainchaos (I like the name....)
I've spent alot of time finding great info on this forum, and also putting my nose into alot of guide books and websites on the areas of Croatia. Man, it is difficult to map out an itinerary because it all looks so beautiful!
My 2 cents worth: I would definitely "recover" a while longer in Dubrovnik -- jetlagged and newly wed, two nights seems too too short. Don't forget to look at a daytrip to Bay of Kotor (this alone makes 3 nights the minimum....)
I like looking at other people's itineraries, here's ours (btw, we're in our late 40's):
Arrive Zagreb: 2.5 hour drive to Plitivice after leisure lunch in Zagreb.
Plitivice- 2 nights (we're skipping Zagreb, and want a full/entire day in Plitivice)
Split- 1 night (we'll spend afternoon and evening enjoying the palace, then day trip to Brac for full day, before driving on to Trogir)
Trogir 3 nights (we'll spend one full day meandering, eating, looking about in this little town); the next day may be a fishing, boating or diving excursion...)
Hvar Town 3 nights (full day Hvar Town, full day island explore, full day open for maybe a trip to Vis, or just nothing....)
Korcula 2 nights (one afternoon town touring, one day explore sites or boat to Miljet?)
Dubrovnik 4 nights (one daytrip to Bay of Kotor; one afternoon to Cavtat, one morning to one of the islands maybe....)
I hate missing Istria... but maybe next time.
Sometimes I worry that we've got too much time in Trogir / Split. But we're kind of strapped by the car ferry schedule to Hvar.
I've read somewhere the following driving times (4.5 hours from Plitivice to Istria; 2.5 hours from Split to Plitivice; long drive from Split to Istria; and I think but I'm not sure, it is about 5 hours to drive from Dubrovnik to Plitivice.
If you opt for Italy, look into ferry schedule from Istria to Venice and consider returning to U.S. from there. 2 or 3 nights minimum in Venice.... great museums, art, culture...
Good luck with the planning. When are you going?
I've spent alot of time finding great info on this forum, and also putting my nose into alot of guide books and websites on the areas of Croatia. Man, it is difficult to map out an itinerary because it all looks so beautiful!
My 2 cents worth: I would definitely "recover" a while longer in Dubrovnik -- jetlagged and newly wed, two nights seems too too short. Don't forget to look at a daytrip to Bay of Kotor (this alone makes 3 nights the minimum....)
I like looking at other people's itineraries, here's ours (btw, we're in our late 40's):
Arrive Zagreb: 2.5 hour drive to Plitivice after leisure lunch in Zagreb.
Plitivice- 2 nights (we're skipping Zagreb, and want a full/entire day in Plitivice)
Split- 1 night (we'll spend afternoon and evening enjoying the palace, then day trip to Brac for full day, before driving on to Trogir)
Trogir 3 nights (we'll spend one full day meandering, eating, looking about in this little town); the next day may be a fishing, boating or diving excursion...)
Hvar Town 3 nights (full day Hvar Town, full day island explore, full day open for maybe a trip to Vis, or just nothing....)
Korcula 2 nights (one afternoon town touring, one day explore sites or boat to Miljet?)
Dubrovnik 4 nights (one daytrip to Bay of Kotor; one afternoon to Cavtat, one morning to one of the islands maybe....)
I hate missing Istria... but maybe next time.
Sometimes I worry that we've got too much time in Trogir / Split. But we're kind of strapped by the car ferry schedule to Hvar.
I've read somewhere the following driving times (4.5 hours from Plitivice to Istria; 2.5 hours from Split to Plitivice; long drive from Split to Istria; and I think but I'm not sure, it is about 5 hours to drive from Dubrovnik to Plitivice.
If you opt for Italy, look into ferry schedule from Istria to Venice and consider returning to U.S. from there. 2 or 3 nights minimum in Venice.... great museums, art, culture...
Good luck with the planning. When are you going?
Apr 3rd, 2007, 06:54 AM
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I spent my 2-week honeymoon travelling between Dubrovnik and Zagreb (using only bus and ferry). Here's my itinerary and then I'll critique it/give recommendations:
Dbv 3 nights
Korcula 2 nights
Split 1 night
Trogir 2 nights
afternoon in Zadar
Pag 1 night
Plitvice 2 nights
Zagreb 3 nights
Pag was a disappointment, and in 2003 Zadar was not as thriving as it is today, so we wished we had planned less and stayed on the southern islands more. So much so that we returned to Croatia 2 years later to visit Hvar, Vis, and Brac--and next month we return for a 3rd time!
Hvar is crazy in summer, but entirely pleasant in spring/fall. Vis was my favorite island--so gorgeous, such amazing beaches. A scooter is a must however.
I also highly recommend Plitvice, and I really liked Zagreb. Split will give you some urban culture for sure, but Zagreb is very different, and I always want to visit a country's capital. You can also get good flight deals.
My opinion: save Italy and Istria for another year and get "on island time."
Congratulations!
Dbv 3 nights
Korcula 2 nights
Split 1 night
Trogir 2 nights
afternoon in Zadar
Pag 1 night
Plitvice 2 nights
Zagreb 3 nights
Pag was a disappointment, and in 2003 Zadar was not as thriving as it is today, so we wished we had planned less and stayed on the southern islands more. So much so that we returned to Croatia 2 years later to visit Hvar, Vis, and Brac--and next month we return for a 3rd time!
Hvar is crazy in summer, but entirely pleasant in spring/fall. Vis was my favorite island--so gorgeous, such amazing beaches. A scooter is a must however.
I also highly recommend Plitvice, and I really liked Zagreb. Split will give you some urban culture for sure, but Zagreb is very different, and I always want to visit a country's capital. You can also get good flight deals.
My opinion: save Italy and Istria for another year and get "on island time."
Congratulations!
Apr 3rd, 2007, 07:15 AM
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Trogironline lists many apartments. I believe I found my last one through the tourist office, the name escapes me. The first time we got a recommendation from a fellow tourist.
In Hvar, I recommend
http://www.dalmacija.net/hvar/scepanovic/
When I book in advance, I google "apartment" and the name of the place and look until I find something I like--each town's/island's home pages are also invaluable for finding accomodation.
happy travels!
In Hvar, I recommend
http://www.dalmacija.net/hvar/scepanovic/
When I book in advance, I google "apartment" and the name of the place and look until I find something I like--each town's/island's home pages are also invaluable for finding accomodation.
happy travels!
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Apr 4th, 2007, 09:37 PM
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How would the drive be from Split to Plitvice? How long would it take and is it a good drive? We'll be in the islands off Split and then have 2 days to get to Prague. I was thinking of driving either north or south to Dubrovnik, and then flying to Prague. Recommendations?
Apr 9th, 2007, 08:11 PM
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Hello Captain!
Your choice of honeymooning in Croatia is a great one. I recommend what I refer to as a "triangle trip": your home - Dubrovnik - Zagreb - your home. You'll save a lot on having to travel back to Dubrovnik, and it's not much more expensive than roundtrip. I would concentrate on Croatia, and skip the 2 days in Italy. My suggested itinerary would be: at least 3 nights in Dubrovnik (side trip to Cavtat by boat), rent car, 3 nights on Hvar, a couple of hours in Split to see Diocletian's Palace, 1 night in Trojir, 1 night on the overnight ferry from Split to Rijeka. Drive to the Istrian peninsula for 1 or 2 nights in Opatija, 2 or 3 nights in Rovinj (sidetrip to Porec), then drop car in Pula and take inexpensive flight to Zagreb for 2 nights. Once there, you will find that cosmopolitan and urban culture you asked about.
Congrats!
LAZnSTEVE
Your choice of honeymooning in Croatia is a great one. I recommend what I refer to as a "triangle trip": your home - Dubrovnik - Zagreb - your home. You'll save a lot on having to travel back to Dubrovnik, and it's not much more expensive than roundtrip. I would concentrate on Croatia, and skip the 2 days in Italy. My suggested itinerary would be: at least 3 nights in Dubrovnik (side trip to Cavtat by boat), rent car, 3 nights on Hvar, a couple of hours in Split to see Diocletian's Palace, 1 night in Trojir, 1 night on the overnight ferry from Split to Rijeka. Drive to the Istrian peninsula for 1 or 2 nights in Opatija, 2 or 3 nights in Rovinj (sidetrip to Porec), then drop car in Pula and take inexpensive flight to Zagreb for 2 nights. Once there, you will find that cosmopolitan and urban culture you asked about.
Congrats!
LAZnSTEVE
