zac495

Hmmm - so maybe go stay near the park for a night and go back to split before going home. But we're going in July. Would it be good then?

Our other choice is giving up a night at Brac and going to Dubrovnik for 3 nights IF we can get a reasonable flight. Right now we're finding it hugely expensive and leaving so early in the morning which is quite unpleasant.

I hate to miss Dubrovnik - on the other hand - isn't it packed with cruise ships in July?

kja

Sorry, don’t know where I got the idea your trip was in Oct….

Yes, Dubrovnik is often packed with cruise ships during the day, so having a plan to leave the city while day-trippers are there is a good idea. You have several options, including Lokrum. And even with a part of the day elsewhere, a day or day and a half is enough for most people to see what they want in Dubrovnik. Personally, I wouldn’t give it 3 nights unless you have a specific plan for a day trip (e.g., Kotor).

Dubrovnik is lovely, the Plitvice Lakes are breathtaking … no bad choice, just a hard one.

If you do go to the Plitvice Lakes, you could go on to Zagreb (as mentioned above) – even though you won’t have time to see it, it might give you much better flight options than Split or Dubrovnik.

zac495

Yes - such good ideas. THANK YOU. Please know I appreciate your every word.

zac495

Now mom decided to stay 7 nights. Would it make sense to do 4 havar and 3 split or 2 Hvar 3 split 2 brac? At 87 she's not the relax type. She likes to see things. Yet like anyone else, too much moving isn't always fun......

kja

If relaxing isn't her thing, then Hvar might be a bit too laid back for her for more than a couple of nights.

Have you considered Zadar? It's another place with some OLD things, including a few Roman ruins and one of Croatia's oldest churches, the 9th century Church of St. Donatus. Zadar's Old Town is off-limits to most cars, but residents are allowed them, and there must be a way to arrange a car for her through a hotel.

zac495

OH! Zadar sounds great!
Also - how about Vis?

The plan right now is
2 nights Hvar
3 nights Split (including day trip to Trojir)
2 nights.... Zadar? But maybe Zadar first since the airport is in Split and flight home is 7am

Any recommendations for hotels in Zadar? It would be nice to have a pool (I like that) yet still something with class and more old-town feel for Mom

zac495

My mom LOVES the idea of Zadar!!!! THANKS!

yorkshire

It has been many years since my visit to Zadar, but I think that's a great choice. If memory serves, it was small and flat but without enough hidden treasures if she wanted to fend for herself while you were out doing something else.

Vis, on the other hand, is a better choice for an active vacation (biking, finding secluded beaches).

kja

I'm glad Zadar appeals to your mother!

I would recommend that you check booking.com to find a hotel, and again note that you will need to ensure that your hotel can arrange or recommend transportation. IIRC, it's a good 10 or 15 minute walk from the mainland -- where most cars must turn back -- to the center of Old Town, and while flat, I fear that would tire your mother. The remnants of the Roman Forum and St. Donatus are near one another, but many of the most interesting sites in Zadar's Old Town are, IMO, scattered -- again, I think you will need to be confident that you have ready transport if you want to see more of the town.

zac495

We are using a travel agent who understands her needs. She really thinks (just as you say, Kja) that what would be best is a day trip to Zadar from Split with a guide who will drive to each site as best possible. THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!