Grasshopper

I'm trying to plan my two weeks in Croatia. But with over 4000 kilometers of coastline, 100s of islands, and names that are very foreign to me, it's hard to know where to go. I've got the guide books and I have a collegue who comes from there. What I hope you folks who have been there will tell me is what did you like best? What tips would you give someone else?<BR><BR>I will be travelling by public transportation; trains, boats and planes. And I will be solo. I'd like to get a mix of relaxation, culture, and nature. I'll be there the last week of May and the first week of June. Any advice?

marktynernyc

Hey Grasshopper - I just booked my ticket and room for Hvar. I'm vegetating there for 7 days - exploring the island on scooter, taking a boat to some nearby islands but overall, just relaxing.<BR><BR>When I was in Dubrovnik last Sept. I met a French couple who had been driving down the coast for a month. They wished they had started in Dubrovnik because they really thought it to be the best of what they saw - they enjoyed the coast but visually thought Dubrovnik was the best.<BR><BR>I thought the town of Korcula was okay for a day trip, and maybe staying overnight if passing through. <BR><BR>I recently found Nelles Guide to Croatia, which I really like. <BR><BR><BR>

Grasshopper

Mark, Did you go to Plitvice? Why Hvar? Tell me more about renting a scooter. That sounds great.

marktynernyc

Grasshopper -<BR>I stayed only in Dubrovnik - with day trips to Korcula and Lopud. I had also wanted to take a trip to Montenegro but the days slipped by way too quickly. I choose Hvar because I wanted to see a bit of central Croatia - do an island - had read a couple articles about Hvar (I'm a tad embarassed but ConNast Trav listed it as one of the top 10 European beach destinations). The islands Brac (the Golden Horn), Vis, Korcula, Bisevo (Blue Grotto) and Pakleni Otoci are nearby.<BR><BR>As for the scooters - they're a common mode of transport . I had wanted to rent one to go to Cavtat one day but the day got away from me. It looks like a great way to see the coastline. <BR><BR>Other places I want to see: Primosten, Sibenik, Trogir, Zadar, Rovinj, Pula, Opatija, Porec. And then of course there are the islands....

lweber

<BR><BR>Can you equate travel in Croatia to travel in another country? Are we in the wild west or France? Would really love to go to Dubrovnik but not sure what I am getting into. I am not a spring chicken.

Grasshopper

Lweber, I'm not a spring chicken either. I get the sense that Croatia is culturally very rich, environmentally beautiful and a great destination. Maybe a cross between Italy, Greece and Hungary. I think it's a popular destination for Italians and Germans. It's also a great bargain so long as you don't go in July and August.

marktynernyc

The Croatian coast in particular has very good infrastructure regarding tourism - modern hotels, ferries, buses, taxis, etc. (It is not the wild west) When I was in Dubrovnik I saw a fair number of autumn chickens(?), especially from Britian. There are areas in the interior to avoid due to land mines from the conflict in 1990 but overall the country is very safe to visit. <BR><BR>The food is pretty straight forward - grilled fish, dalmatian ham(proscuitto), various other seafood. Quaffable to excellent red and white wines. Beautiful sunsets, royal palms dotting the coast line, the blue-green Adriatic, clay tiled roof villages.

elr

I too will be in Croatia, in the middle of May, for a week. I've been reading the rough guide, and the lonely planet to get a sense of where to spend time. (regarding guidebooks, rough guide is more critical of places; l.p. seems to just adore everything, so making judgements about a place's merits is difficult....I will also try to find the Nellis guide that marktynerncy mentioned...) I also called the Croatian travel board in nyc and asked especially for good maps and ferry schedules since I don't think ferries run as often in May/June as they do later in the summer, which shoud help in the trip planning.<BR>We will be arriving in Zagreb, flying to Dubruovnick, then renting a car &amp; trying to get up the coast to get back to Zag to fly home.<BR>I know that's a tall order for a week.<BR>My questions:<BR>how long to stay in Dub.? Is a day and a half enough, two?<BR>Ideally, we'd like to get a whole sense of the coast and Istria penninsula. (once again, prob. too much....I think marktynernyc suggest something different when I posted about this before...)If that's too much, perhpas should just see Dub, Split, Hvar and Vis....? I'm glad grasshopper posted this question, and also hope to hear tips from those who've been there as well.

Syrin

Hi Grasshopper,<BR><BR>I travelled by myself in Croatia for a month last summer and loved it. Don't worry about going by yourself, I never felt unsafe and met lots of nice people. The public transportation is efficient and cheap. I had a wonderful time and am planning a return trip for September...I think I missed a few islands <BR><BR>I really liked Dubrovnik. I was there for four days. Definitely go to Lopud Island, it's only a 20 minute boat ride, and it's beautiful and quiet. <BR><BR>I agree with the person who said that Dubrovnik is a better place to start. I went to Korcula on a day trip from Orebic, where I spent 4 days on the (rocky) beach. Orebic is lovely, just a pleasant beachtown with nice cafes and nicer people. <BR><BR>My favorite places were Vis Island and Krka National Park. Take the boat trip to the Blue Grotto. It's amazing. If you dive, you'll be in heaven. <BR><BR>Split was...okay. Maybe I didn't like it as well because it was the first big city I came to and I was still on a lounging-on-the-beach vibe. Diocletan's Palace is really interesting, as was the day trip to Trogir. There are also alot of nice cafes along the harbor. <BR><BR>I didn't make any prior reservations (travelling in June) except in Dubrovnik, I stayed in private rooms for the whole trip and used only public transportation. This turned out to be a good idea, because I ended up moving much more slowly than I had planned. I only made it about half way up the coast before I ran out of vacation. <BR><BR>You will have an absolutely wonderful time! Croatia is stunningly beautiful. I don't think it really matters where you go, there's too much to see for one trip (sigh) and it's all wonderful. <BR><BR>Cheers, Syrin<BR><BR><BR> <BR><BR>

NancyB

Since you are using public transportation (as we will be doing in May also), keep in mind the ferry schedules do change in June, with more options on daily ferries. It's a bit limited in May, but we were able to work around it. Unfortunately we had to cut the time we will be spending in Split because of the time the ferries leave Hvar.<BR><BR>One thing to note, Croatian Airlines has some very inexpensive flights within Croatia. We have a 40 minute flight from Split to Zagreb for $30 USD. Our other option was a 7 hour train ride.<BR><BR>I will say, planning for this trip took quite a bit of coordination because of the timing of ferries, buses, etc, but we really did not want to rent a car. We'll see how we feel when we are there!

NancyB

Okay, Syrin, you make me feel better about having to cut time in Split. Thank you for your information!

elr

I don't want to hog this thread, but wanted to ask a few questions in response to the recent posts:<BR>Syrin: where did you stay in Dub, and would you recommend it?<BR>Nancy B: I've tried to hold flgts w/Croatian Air, but you need to pay in person w/in 3 days. How did you manage to hold such an inexpensive flight? (it seems that the flights from zag to dvb are around $75-80). <BR>regarding car rentals: after reading these posts, I'm now thinking twice about it....<BR>anyway, thanks.

nina1123

Grasshopper- I've been to Croatia many times. I've been to or passed through virtually every city on the coastline.<BR><BR>My favorite place in Istria as far as beauty/energy of the town is Rovinj. I liked Pula for the Roman ruins.<BR><BR>In Dalmatia, I just love the entire coastline. So many cute towns to explore. In my opinion the best beaches are is the area between Split to the border. (Never been to Montenegro - so can't say what the beaches are like). I spent 8 days in Dubrovnik last summer - absolutely wonderful. Full of energy and great beaches.<BR><BR>Been to Hvar - great Island. I prefer the town of Hvar to Starigrad.<BR><BR>I'm pretty sure there are no trains that go to Dubrovnik. You will have to get there by bus, car, boat or plane. Taking the bus is very easy and inexpensive.<BR><BR>I agree with Mark about Korcula - I visited Korcula town, it was ok, a little too sleepy for my taste. I did catch an unbelievable sunset there though.<BR><BR>I hope I will make it there again this year!! I really need to make to some more islands.<BR><BR>Nina

Grasshopper

Thank you all so much! Your remarks are duly noted and will go into my research efforts. elr, you are more than welcome to share my thread! The more time it pops to the top the more info we will get. And you will ask questions I won't even think of.<BR><BR>

Grasshopper

Nina, I have printed out your previous comments on Croatia as well. I find them very helpful. Thanks! Any other thoughts you have, let me know,

NancyB

Hi elr,<BR><BR>You have to play with the dates on Croatia Airlines. By leaving from Split on Friday 5/16, I pay $26 USD, if I took that same flight on Saturday, I would pay $63.<BR><BR>I got a reservation through Panadriatic Travel ( a recommendation by Mark, did I thank you Mark?). I pay for my actual ticket when I am there.<BR><BR>I fly directly from Frankfurt to Dubrovnik but fly out of Zagreb when I leave.<BR><BR>We've booked an apt in Dubrovnik for 3 nights in the old town at 72 Euros each night.

Grasshopper

Can I please have the contact info for Panadrianic Travel?

nina1123

Grasshopper, your welcome! I'm happy to help.<BR><BR>www.panadriatic.com<BR>800-352-0555

nina1123

NancyB, is this your first time to Croatia? Are you only going to Dubrovnik?

NancyB

Hi Nina,<BR><BR>Yes, first trip to Croatia. We fly into Dubrovnik, have 3 nights there, 3 nights on Hvar (Hvar Town), 1 in Split. We're headed to Slovenia after the flight to Zagreb, but are going to day trip from Piran to Rovinj. <BR><BR>Have you spent time in Zagreb? I've booked our last 3 nights there, maybe taking a day trip (can't remember the name of the little town I found nearby that sounded interesting).<BR><BR>