10-DAY ITINERARY
Jan 26th, 2009, 08:49 PM
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10-DAY ITINERARY
My mother, my 21-year-old daughter, and I are planning to fly into Zagreb on Thursday, March 19, at 8:30 am. Then we plan to head for the coast (via Plitvice Lakes?) and down the coast, ending in Dubrovnik before we fly from Dubrovnik to Zagreb and back to the US on Saturday, March 28.
How would you divide your 8 nights? What are the "must-see" highlights? We know we want to see Dubrovnik and Trogir, but beyond that, we are open to any suggestions. We don't want to spend every minute driving. We enjoy shopping, outdoor activities, cooking classes, etc. Help!
How would you divide your 8 nights? What are the "must-see" highlights? We know we want to see Dubrovnik and Trogir, but beyond that, we are open to any suggestions. We don't want to spend every minute driving. We enjoy shopping, outdoor activities, cooking classes, etc. Help!
Jan 27th, 2009, 07:36 AM
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Most importantly, pick the places that most interest you--and stay at least 2 nights in each place. There are of course exceptions to this rule. I like Zagreb myself, but most people will tell you to see its main sites and move on. So here's a start:
M19: spend relaxing day sightseeing in Zagreb and move on to Plitivce in evening (2 hr drive) or next morning (If too tired).
M20: I will insist that Plitvice is a must. I heartily advise staying at least one night, though you can see the main path by stopping on your way to the coast.
So now you are at day 3 or 4, depending on how you choose above, and you have SO many options along the coast. Do some digging around (I'll post some sites below), just remember you probably want to leave 3 days for Dubrovnik at the end. There are many day trips you can take from Trogir, so you may want to just divide your remaining time between Trogir and Dubrovnik.
You do not need to prebook accommodations at this time of year, so you can really play it by ear.
M19: spend relaxing day sightseeing in Zagreb and move on to Plitivce in evening (2 hr drive) or next morning (If too tired).
M20: I will insist that Plitvice is a must. I heartily advise staying at least one night, though you can see the main path by stopping on your way to the coast.
So now you are at day 3 or 4, depending on how you choose above, and you have SO many options along the coast. Do some digging around (I'll post some sites below), just remember you probably want to leave 3 days for Dubrovnik at the end. There are many day trips you can take from Trogir, so you may want to just divide your remaining time between Trogir and Dubrovnik.
You do not need to prebook accommodations at this time of year, so you can really play it by ear.
Jan 27th, 2009, 07:57 AM
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And I forgot to post those sites:
http://www.croatia.hr/English/Destin...Odredista.aspx
http://islands.zesoi.fer.hr/
Zagreb, Trogir, and Dubrovnik all have websites. Also, the Plitvice National Park website may be useful.
http://www.croatia.hr/English/Destin...Odredista.aspx
http://islands.zesoi.fer.hr/
Zagreb, Trogir, and Dubrovnik all have websites. Also, the Plitvice National Park website may be useful.
Jan 27th, 2009, 08:39 AM
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Thank you so much for your responses. I really do want to see Plitvice, just from looking at pics on the internet, so your comments confirms that that is a good decision. I also like your suggestion to split my time between Trogir and Dubrovnik.
I also reposted as you suggested and added Croatia to the title.
Thank you again!
I also reposted as you suggested and added Croatia to the title.
Thank you again!
Jan 27th, 2009, 08:41 AM
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Also, I meant to ask your opinion about Trogir vs. Split. Which one is better to stay in to be able to walk to restaurants, etc? Also do you have any suggestions for accommodations? I think we will play it by ear and just wait til we get to our destinations to actually choose places to stay, but we would like to have some lodgings in mind.
Jan 27th, 2009, 09:33 AM
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Split versus Trogir is another area where opinions get heated, haha. Split is a large port city and a tourist transit point, with the resulting bad first opinions, but it has some amazing sites (Diocletian's Palace for sure) and some nice neighborhoods if you have time to explore. It is also convenient for day trips to islands.
Trogir is a tiny island, and so the beauty is quite concentrated. There are plenty of good restaurants there if small town living is more for you. Plus, Trogir and Split are so close together, it doesn't much matter. Don't drive to Split though, parking is difficult (if you stay there, make sure you have parking). The bus is quite quick and convenient between the two, and picks up just outside Trogir and drops you in the middle of Split's attractions. You can easily park outside Trogir.
You can go directly to a tourist office when you arrive to town and book a place. Have them show you photos if available and a map of its location. You should have a good selection in March unless some event is happening. When you get closer to your trip, search online to see if there is a place you have your hearts set on, as many apartments are listed online.
The ferries will be less active in March, but if you don't get a chance to do a long hike on an island, you'll have plenty of places to drive from the Split/Trogir area, such as Sibenik and many interesting areas inland from Split. You may even want to leave a night free in between Trogir/Split and Dubrovnik in case there is something you want to check out on the way.
Good Luck! (I always get wistful hearing about other peoples' first trips to Croatia, as I've been three times).
Trogir is a tiny island, and so the beauty is quite concentrated. There are plenty of good restaurants there if small town living is more for you. Plus, Trogir and Split are so close together, it doesn't much matter. Don't drive to Split though, parking is difficult (if you stay there, make sure you have parking). The bus is quite quick and convenient between the two, and picks up just outside Trogir and drops you in the middle of Split's attractions. You can easily park outside Trogir.
You can go directly to a tourist office when you arrive to town and book a place. Have them show you photos if available and a map of its location. You should have a good selection in March unless some event is happening. When you get closer to your trip, search online to see if there is a place you have your hearts set on, as many apartments are listed online.
The ferries will be less active in March, but if you don't get a chance to do a long hike on an island, you'll have plenty of places to drive from the Split/Trogir area, such as Sibenik and many interesting areas inland from Split. You may even want to leave a night free in between Trogir/Split and Dubrovnik in case there is something you want to check out on the way.
Good Luck! (I always get wistful hearing about other peoples' first trips to Croatia, as I've been three times).
Jan 27th, 2009, 10:45 AM
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Oh, lucky you! I am in love with Croatia. It is glorious. My husband and I just bought a house in rural Istria so we can live there instead of just visit! We cannot wait to move there from Canada. I've already been asked to teach some "Canadian" cooking classes there! 
We are going May and September.
There are so many must see places - lots that are far less touristed than the usual spots - lots of great gems. However, you are going at a great time of the year so you won't have the tourist crowds. If I were you, on your first trip there, I would spend my eight days as follows:
- two days in Istria (the hilltowns are stupendous) including the wonderfully beautiful Rovinj
- down to Plitvice Lakes one night (I agree it is a MUST)
- down to Trogir for one night (half a day in Split)
- a free night or two in between Trogir in Dubrovnik
- two to three nights in Dubrovnik including one day on an island (Lokrum from Dubrovnik would be good). Mljet and Vis are my favourite islands but that time of the year may not be straight forward to get to.
- with one leftover night maybe plan to stay in Zagreb - it is a nice place to poke around (and is underrated).
Be sure to walk the walls in Dubrovnik to orient yourselves and get some gobsmacking views!
In a rushed itinerary I am unsure about cooking classes but I assume that you then love food. Well, Croatia has lovely food, especially in Istria where it more refined and varied. The white truffles are famous but you will be there out of season. However, some restaurants may serve some preserved truffles in their dishes. I would recommend lamb cooked peka (under a lid, must be ordered 24 hours in advance) and prsut, air-dried ham (better in my opinion than prosciuotto). The grilled squid and lobster are marvelous, as is the cuttlefish ink risotto. Pag cheese is lovely. I could go on and on about the food. Let us know if you want restaurant and accommodation recommendations.
Enjoy planning - that is half the fun!
We are going May and September.There are so many must see places - lots that are far less touristed than the usual spots - lots of great gems. However, you are going at a great time of the year so you won't have the tourist crowds. If I were you, on your first trip there, I would spend my eight days as follows:
- two days in Istria (the hilltowns are stupendous) including the wonderfully beautiful Rovinj
- down to Plitvice Lakes one night (I agree it is a MUST)
- down to Trogir for one night (half a day in Split)
- a free night or two in between Trogir in Dubrovnik
- two to three nights in Dubrovnik including one day on an island (Lokrum from Dubrovnik would be good). Mljet and Vis are my favourite islands but that time of the year may not be straight forward to get to.
- with one leftover night maybe plan to stay in Zagreb - it is a nice place to poke around (and is underrated).
Be sure to walk the walls in Dubrovnik to orient yourselves and get some gobsmacking views!
In a rushed itinerary I am unsure about cooking classes but I assume that you then love food. Well, Croatia has lovely food, especially in Istria where it more refined and varied. The white truffles are famous but you will be there out of season. However, some restaurants may serve some preserved truffles in their dishes. I would recommend lamb cooked peka (under a lid, must be ordered 24 hours in advance) and prsut, air-dried ham (better in my opinion than prosciuotto). The grilled squid and lobster are marvelous, as is the cuttlefish ink risotto. Pag cheese is lovely. I could go on and on about the food. Let us know if you want restaurant and accommodation recommendations.
Enjoy planning - that is half the fun!
Jan 27th, 2009, 11:47 AM
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Some great info on cooking classes:
http://www.secretdalmatia.com/en/gas...n-cuisine.html
www.culinary-croatia.com
http://www.secretdalmatia.com/en/gas...n-cuisine.html
www.culinary-croatia.com
Jan 27th, 2009, 09:07 PM
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GLong2027:
Your time here is limited, so plan your itinerary with flexibility. March is very early in the season and our weather can be very wet and windy.
Many of our restaurants and shops are not open in March. The reawakening of Dubrovnik begins in April and high season is upon us once again. Local newspaper described winter in Dubrovnik as a "ghost town." And they are correct, it is that.
It you don't want to spend all your time driving, then plan on staying for a few nights in Trogir and drive down the coast to Dubrovnik, it will take about 6 hours or more depending how often you stop. Ston is a must stop for lunch and they are famous for their fresh mussels.
Relax in Dubrovnik, take a day trip down to Montenegro. Spend your time here enjoying my new home. I had been coming to Croatia since 1971 and I have duel citizenship since both my parents were born here. Have lived here now for 1 year and no desire to return to the US for anything other than a holiday.
Dobrodosli
An American in Dubrovnik
Your time here is limited, so plan your itinerary with flexibility. March is very early in the season and our weather can be very wet and windy.
Many of our restaurants and shops are not open in March. The reawakening of Dubrovnik begins in April and high season is upon us once again. Local newspaper described winter in Dubrovnik as a "ghost town." And they are correct, it is that.
It you don't want to spend all your time driving, then plan on staying for a few nights in Trogir and drive down the coast to Dubrovnik, it will take about 6 hours or more depending how often you stop. Ston is a must stop for lunch and they are famous for their fresh mussels.
Relax in Dubrovnik, take a day trip down to Montenegro. Spend your time here enjoying my new home. I had been coming to Croatia since 1971 and I have duel citizenship since both my parents were born here. Have lived here now for 1 year and no desire to return to the US for anything other than a holiday.
Dobrodosli
An American in Dubrovnik
Jan 28th, 2009, 08:07 PM
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THanks so much for your responses. Our tentative itinerary is as follows:
March 19 8:30 am -- arrive Zagreb and drive to Plitvice National Park -- spend the night there
March 20 - leave Plitvice, drive to Trogir or Split -- stay 2 nights
March 23 -- Leave Split/Trogir for islands? No clue which islands to see in March
March 25 -- Dubrovnik for 3 nights (with day trip to Kotor and maybe islands) -- fly to Zagreb on the 28th at 4:30
How does this sound? Can anyone give me advice on activities that would interest my 21-year-old daughter? She loves to cook, to experience foreign culture, to shop, to be active (walking, riding scooters or 4-wheelers, swimming, horse-back riding, etc). We are game for almost anything. Would late March be a good time to take a boat ride to see the area from the water?
My 69-year-old mother will have a friend with her; they would enjoy museums, good food (not terribly expensive though), and just people-watching.
We do this daughter-mother-grandmother trip every March or May (for the last 6 years anyway), and I know we are lucky to have a time in our lives where my work schedule is flexible, my daughter has spring break (she is getting married in September but plans to still travel with us), and my mother is still fairly healthy. My mother always says that she is making nursing home memories.
Mother is much more widely traveled (Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Egypt, South Africa, Zimbabwe, China, Russia) than my daughter and me, but thanks to her we have traveled extensively in England, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Greece. Both my mom and I wanted my daughter to know life ouside America, to learn other cultures' ways of life. We have all developed a deep appreciation of Europe, and we just wish all Americans could be privileged to experience what we have been privileged to experience.
Okay, I have rambled enough. Please give me advice on what to look into to entertain my daughter and mother, and please critique my tentative itinerary. Thank you all!
March 19 8:30 am -- arrive Zagreb and drive to Plitvice National Park -- spend the night there
March 20 - leave Plitvice, drive to Trogir or Split -- stay 2 nights
March 23 -- Leave Split/Trogir for islands? No clue which islands to see in March
March 25 -- Dubrovnik for 3 nights (with day trip to Kotor and maybe islands) -- fly to Zagreb on the 28th at 4:30
How does this sound? Can anyone give me advice on activities that would interest my 21-year-old daughter? She loves to cook, to experience foreign culture, to shop, to be active (walking, riding scooters or 4-wheelers, swimming, horse-back riding, etc). We are game for almost anything. Would late March be a good time to take a boat ride to see the area from the water?
My 69-year-old mother will have a friend with her; they would enjoy museums, good food (not terribly expensive though), and just people-watching.
We do this daughter-mother-grandmother trip every March or May (for the last 6 years anyway), and I know we are lucky to have a time in our lives where my work schedule is flexible, my daughter has spring break (she is getting married in September but plans to still travel with us), and my mother is still fairly healthy. My mother always says that she is making nursing home memories.
Mother is much more widely traveled (Brazil, Argentina, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Egypt, South Africa, Zimbabwe, China, Russia) than my daughter and me, but thanks to her we have traveled extensively in England, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, and Greece. Both my mom and I wanted my daughter to know life ouside America, to learn other cultures' ways of life. We have all developed a deep appreciation of Europe, and we just wish all Americans could be privileged to experience what we have been privileged to experience.
Okay, I have rambled enough. Please give me advice on what to look into to entertain my daughter and mother, and please critique my tentative itinerary. Thank you all!
Jan 28th, 2009, 08:59 PM
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Hi
I've been to Croatia twice in the last 2 years, and I would say 2 days for Zagreb -- seems that this fabulous city is being cut a bit short here. (sorry, that's where my mother's roots are, and I've spent quality time in Zagreb, and it's a great city, with great history, cemetery, museums, and the Croatian National Theatre - where my great grandfather's bronze bust is in the ballroom!!! It's just a great European city) I love Trogir, -- agree that it is an enchanting little town on the sea that is not to be missed - - vs Split -- The D Palace must be seen at Split, but it's a big town, with modern bldgs (or, ugly communist apartments, as my cousin in Zagreb calls them) whereas Trogir is intact and lovely - - an old city, only 5-10 min drive from the Split airport (vs Split, which is a 20 minute drive from the airport) Split has been a popular European tourist destination for 60 years, and it shows. It's quite commercialize.
Another fabulous place is Stari Grad on the island of Hvar - - a short ferry ride from Split It is great in the off-season. Ston is great, and is on the way to the wine country. Dubrovnik is wonderful for 2 days (but 2 days is just right)
Hope that helps !
I've been to Croatia twice in the last 2 years, and I would say 2 days for Zagreb -- seems that this fabulous city is being cut a bit short here. (sorry, that's where my mother's roots are, and I've spent quality time in Zagreb, and it's a great city, with great history, cemetery, museums, and the Croatian National Theatre - where my great grandfather's bronze bust is in the ballroom!!! It's just a great European city) I love Trogir, -- agree that it is an enchanting little town on the sea that is not to be missed - - vs Split -- The D Palace must be seen at Split, but it's a big town, with modern bldgs (or, ugly communist apartments, as my cousin in Zagreb calls them) whereas Trogir is intact and lovely - - an old city, only 5-10 min drive from the Split airport (vs Split, which is a 20 minute drive from the airport) Split has been a popular European tourist destination for 60 years, and it shows. It's quite commercialize.
Another fabulous place is Stari Grad on the island of Hvar - - a short ferry ride from Split It is great in the off-season. Ston is great, and is on the way to the wine country. Dubrovnik is wonderful for 2 days (but 2 days is just right)
Hope that helps !
Jan 29th, 2009, 06:50 AM
#13
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If you go to an island, your daughter may want to rent a scooter for the day and explore while you sight see--it is a wild ride with amazing views! You can do some wonderful walks on Hvar, along the coast.
I would check with the tourist board about horseback riding.
As for islands, it is not as if things will be shuttered, but it will be very quiet and the ferry schedules will determine what you do between Split and Dubrovnik. I would investigate the mainland coastal areas (Omis looks lovely, it's a place I've noted for future visits. They have white water rafting there).
The shopping will be best in Split, where inside and outside the palace are many stores, and underneath there is a craft market. (I really like the bathing suit selections I've seen there)
Any time is good for a boat ride (weather permitting), as the views are simply stunning.
I would check with the tourist board about horseback riding.
As for islands, it is not as if things will be shuttered, but it will be very quiet and the ferry schedules will determine what you do between Split and Dubrovnik. I would investigate the mainland coastal areas (Omis looks lovely, it's a place I've noted for future visits. They have white water rafting there).
The shopping will be best in Split, where inside and outside the palace are many stores, and underneath there is a craft market. (I really like the bathing suit selections I've seen there)
Any time is good for a boat ride (weather permitting), as the views are simply stunning.
