viggers

Hi there - 12 days in Croatia end of May, fly into Zagreb and out of Dubrovnik, but otherwise no itinerary other than to get to Dub with 2-3 full days to enjoy. For those who have been, do you think renting a car would add to the fun, or be a burden? Interested in pro/cons from your experience. Would including Istria be essential or make it too rushed, IYO? Any other "must-see" suggestions also appreciated. Thanks

Steff

We did 11 days last Sept., Ljubljana to Venice to Istria, Hvar, Korcula, Dubrovnik, then plane to Zagreb, train to Ljubljana.
The only time we needed to get a car was when we missed the only bus from Korcula to Dubrovnik. Was glad we did, because the drive was spectacular.
I think a car would be mostly a burden. We did walk an awful lot. We loved the ferries and even the buses. You'll love it!

xyz99

Topping.
We’re planning the same trip as Viggers, but in 14-15 days and with a 1-2 days Plitvice stop. Viggers, you might want to look into this, too – the park looks gorgeous. Same questions: Should we rent a car or rely on buses and ferries only? Can we add 2-3 days for the Istrian Peninsula without rushing it (or should we leave that for a future Slovenia trip?) We would like to spend a couple of days in Trogir, Hvar, Korkula, 4-5 days in Dubrovnik + surroundings.
Viggers,
How are you flying in and out of Croatia (where are you coming from)?
Thanks

nukesafe

IMO a car would be a burden except for the Zagreb to the coast bit. We did it last September when it was not packed, and I could see that a car would have been a pain in the rear during the crowded time, though I'm not sure May would be as bad.

Besides, I would have had to watch the roads, and could not have really seen the incredible scenery. My vote would be to drop the car at Split and take busses from then on.

Anyway, I'm sure you will love your time in Croatia.

viggers

Thanks for the advice, I had thought about dumping the car at the coast and this sound like the way to go. Ferries and buses worked great in Greece last year, much more relaxing than driving.

xyz99 - we are flying from Portland OR, USA. Might see Plitvice but Oregon has so many beautiful waterfall areas I'm worried I might not be as taken with the place as others....but I'm sure I'm selling it short. I think to keep the trip sane I need to decide either Plitvice or Istria, trying to do it all will be too much. Anyway, flying PDX to Frankfurt direct on Lufthansa, then to Zagreb. This was booked as a round trip through QIXO.com (great site, same flight was hundreds more at the usual suspects' sites [orbitz, expedia]). Then I got a one way from Dubrovnik back to ZAG on Croatia Airlines, for $30USD. Croatia Air is now doing online payment, which makes it so much easier. They used to require payment in person within 72 hours of reservation.

xyz99

Viggers,
Thanks for all the suggestions. We’re flying from north NJ (so either Kennedy or Newark) and Plitvice is high on our list – no waterfalls in NJ.
Did not know about qixo.com – I will definitely check it out. Getting in and out of Croatia seems a little bit more complicated than other places we went to, but with my Fodor’s friends’ help, we’ll make it. Thanks again and please don’t forget to write a trip report when you come back.

dcdee

We did a 15 day trip to Slovenia and Croatia last Sept.-Oct. We took a train from Ljubliana to Zagreb, then rented a car in Zagreb and turned it in at Dubrovnik. We were glad to have a car because of the control it gave us. That said, we did not need the car when we got to Dubrovnik except for a daytrip to Ston and Mali Ston.

However, I think the real answer is what you are comfortable with. We do not like bus travel. Many other posters have very favorable comments about it. You need to decide which best fits you.

From comments posted on this board, everyone seems happy with whatever mode of travel they selected and everyone loves Croatia. So, whatever you decide, you'll have a great trip.

eurotraveller

Viggers, I am also from Portland and spent 2 weeks in Croatia last year in May/June. Plitvice National Park is much different than any of the waterfalls in Oregon and we were very glad we made the stop. We just did it as a day trip between Zagreb and Rab Island.

We enjoyed having a car but were glad we dropped it off at the airport between Trogir and Split.

Have you arranged for accomodations yet? I will advise against Hotel Ilica in Zagreb and I recommend Apartment Bakica on Trogir!

I have a two part trip report in Word documents. If you are interested please provide your email and I will send them to you.

Cheers!

Tamara

bg_collier

I, too, am from Portland and traveled to Croatia in May. There must be some kind of cosmic pull on us Oregonians....

I concur with Tamara - Plitvice NP is unlike anything we have here. The tiered lakes and cascading waterfalls are absolutely spectacular. In May, there were a few tourists, but we had the park to ourselves at opening for a good couple hours. You can see it in a day, but I recommend a couple if you like to hike. The park is more extensive than just the main walks.

We also had a car. Driving was an adventure due to the small windy roads coupled with aggressive drivers in fast German cars. You get use to it though. I recommend having a car for two reasons only: if you are open to changing your itenerary based on fellow travelers' advice or if you're planning on only spending a day or two in each place. If you think you'll be going to a few destinations only and for long stays at that, then go with public transpo. Paying rent for a parked car isn't sane Don't fear taking a car on an island, though. The car ferries are plentiful and convenient. We took ours everywhere which gave us a lot of freedom.

Istria is nice, but it was at the end of our journey and we just couldn't do much more traveling. So, we turned right around, went out to Cres Island for 5 days, and have a wonderful conclusion.

Have a great trip. Croatia is spectacular.

Regards, Bruce
Croatia Travel Photos -- http://www.brucegcollier.com/galleri...level2_all.htm
Croatia Travel Links -- http://www.brucegcollier.com/links/l...el_croatia.htm

viggers

eurotraveller - I would love to read your trip report. My email is [email protected]

When I get back I may start a support group for all us Portlanders returning from Croatia......

LindaL

Viggers: Please post your trip report. Even though I'm not from Portland I'm planning on going to Croatia the end of September. Did you rent a car? Did you go to Pltvice? You had exactly the same questions I had before you left. Please tell all. Thanks.

metlc

You can't go wrong either way, with or without a car. The coastal bus is nice, but...

If you have a car, you could drive down from Split to Dubrovnik and explore the coastal villages of Makarska on the way. Drop the car in Dubrovnik when you get there, and ferry back up through Korcula and Hvar to Split, where you could fly back to Zagreb.

LindaL

Thanks. That's kind of what I was thinking.

nukesafe

Metic. Yes, that is true about being able to explore places like Makarska if you have a car, but we did the same thing last year in September by bus. Hopped on a bus in Split and stopped at a number of places along the way, including Makarska.

Had absloutely no trouble in catching busses or finding accomodations. I would hate to do that coastal drive if I were the driver. I'd miss so much. Much beter IMO to leave the driving to someone else.

linawood

We've had two great trips to Croatia without a car, but admittedly we really enjoy buses and boats. In 2002, we traveled from Dubrovnik to Korcula by bus (gorgeous) to Hvar then Split then Rijeka by ferry (and on to Slovenia). In October 2004 we traveled by bus from Trieste to Rijeka to the island of Losinj by bus/ferry. Then to Rovinj, via Pula and back to Trieste. These were two of our favorite trips ever and the buses were so enjoyable - gorgeous, interesting scenery and slow rides down narrow roads.

aggiegirl

When you take these buses reference in this chain, where does your luggage go? Any concerns about parting with your luggage?

nukesafe

On the big busses you pay the driver's helper/conductor guy a small fee for each bag. He opens the pull-up doors on the side of the bus and you chuck them in. He sometimes helps arrange them if there is a lot of luggage. He gives you a receipt.

It was our experience that they expect you to drag out your own luggage when you alight. One driver helped us, but gave us a lecture that bsically said, "Do it yourself next time."

I'm a bit of a worry-wart about luggage security, so every time the bus would stop I would either get off or peer through the window to observe others getting their luggage, just to be sure. Never had the slightest bit of trouble.

You will just LOVE Croatia!

bon24

Hi my hubby and I are off to Croatia next year 1 week cruising out of Dubrovnik and then we are thinking about driving from Dubrovnik to Pula. Keen to find special places to visit, 3 star accom references and any tips. We have 7 days to make to journey. Appreciate your help Bon24

tower

Let me just add a few thoughts for you people about to embark on a Croatian visit. I've been traveling the Old Yugoslavia since the early 80's...always by auto. Them was the days of potholes as big as the car, sparse petrol stations, many with meager rations of fuel...things are quite different today. My most recent visit was a year ago....took ferry over from Ancona overnight..had car on reserve at Budget in Zadar, drove up to Plitvice Lakes (my wife had never been there)...and spent two glorious days hiking both circular trails...ran into a good deal of residual snow on the trails (early April!)..the cascades as beautiful as ever. By the way, stay at the Hotel Jezero and get a balcony overlooking the lakes....excellent lodgings, reasonable, around $90. We found the new superhighway (Zadar to about 25 miles from the lakes) to be one of the finest engineered roads of its kind, lovely views!....went back to Trogir for a day, and spent two days in Split(marvelous Hotel Park, a 20's building overlooking one of the better beaches)...drove down the coast to Dub (side-winding to Omis and Makarska along the way, and spent a week in Dub with a few side trips to Cavtat and into Serbia-Montenegro. Splurged a bit on the enchanting Villa Dubrovnik...but well worth it...dramatic views, world-class lodgings.
Found a remarkably-situated restaurant about ten kms. south of the airport (can't miss the arrow signs on the highway ("Konavoski Dori&quot...it's a treat with gorgeous rural surroundings, waterfalls, streams, way back in the country on the road to Bosnia. Can't say anything more about Dub that hasn't already been said for years. I was happy to see it has nearly fully recovered from the senseless bombings. Have fun in Croatia..it beckons you.
Stu