Best way to see Croatia?
Sep 24th, 2016, 05:42 PM
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Best way to see Croatia?
Hello everyone!
My mom and I are looking to travel to Croatia for around 9 days in early June 2017. However, I'm quite not sure what the best way to get the most out of the experience would be. Ive been looking at small boat cruises (like sail Croatia) because I feel like we might get more time on each stop than on a bigger cruise line (like Royal Caribbean). Has anyone ever been on any of these small cruises? Im not 100% sure if I want to go on one of these based on the mixed reviews I've seen. Our other option would be renting either a hotel room or apartment and maybe taking day trips, but if getting around to various places would be really challenging I'm not so sure this is the best option either. Ive heard the ferry system can be quite confusing. Please let me know which one you think might give us the best opportunity to see a decent amount of the country in the allotted time.
Thanks!
My mom and I are looking to travel to Croatia for around 9 days in early June 2017. However, I'm quite not sure what the best way to get the most out of the experience would be. Ive been looking at small boat cruises (like sail Croatia) because I feel like we might get more time on each stop than on a bigger cruise line (like Royal Caribbean). Has anyone ever been on any of these small cruises? Im not 100% sure if I want to go on one of these based on the mixed reviews I've seen. Our other option would be renting either a hotel room or apartment and maybe taking day trips, but if getting around to various places would be really challenging I'm not so sure this is the best option either. Ive heard the ferry system can be quite confusing. Please let me know which one you think might give us the best opportunity to see a decent amount of the country in the allotted time.
Thanks!
Sep 24th, 2016, 08:52 PM
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Nine days is VERY little for a country as large and diverse as Croatia -- you would need to decide on just a few destinations -- and that's even if interested in only the coast areas (which your post seems to suggest).
You've got plenty of time to do some research and make a plan that works for you, so I recommend that you get a good guidebook or two, or consult a few at your local library, to begin deciding which areas most appeal to you.
It is very easy to travel in Croatia, even without a cruise, and perhaps even more pleasantly without a cruise, as you have much more latitude to do what you want to do, when you want to do it.
Why do you think it would be challenging to get around? Croatia has an excellent public transportation system. (Or you could rent a car.) Ferry schedules can be confusing if you don't (a) realize there are multiple ferry companies and (b) they change schedules to increase the number of ferries during high season, so you have to check the dates carefully -- once you know those things, it can, IME, be very easy to use the ferry schedules.
Hope that helps!
You've got plenty of time to do some research and make a plan that works for you, so I recommend that you get a good guidebook or two, or consult a few at your local library, to begin deciding which areas most appeal to you.
It is very easy to travel in Croatia, even without a cruise, and perhaps even more pleasantly without a cruise, as you have much more latitude to do what you want to do, when you want to do it.
Why do you think it would be challenging to get around? Croatia has an excellent public transportation system. (Or you could rent a car.) Ferry schedules can be confusing if you don't (a) realize there are multiple ferry companies and (b) they change schedules to increase the number of ferries during high season, so you have to check the dates carefully -- once you know those things, it can, IME, be very easy to use the ferry schedules.
Hope that helps!
Sep 25th, 2016, 01:55 AM
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I think you would get the best out of your holiday by concentrating on a particular area. For example, Rovinj/Istria or Rab/Krk/Cres/maybe Plitvice or or Sibenik/Trogir/Split or Split/Hvar/Korcula/Dubrovnik.
Bus and ferry timetables are all online. There are multiple bus companies, in particular, so you need to search for the one/s covering your chosen destinations. I've only visited Croatia once but found the buses and ferries very easy to use, although sometimes services were infrequent so we had to be aware of the timetable.
One challenge, although of course not critical, is finding a tour group with a spread of ages so that neither you nor your mum feel excluded. With any tour, the logistics are generally easier but you tend to have to fit in with the group's itinerary. If you choose a tour, then I recommend you choose one with a small group (e.g. no more than 10-12 people) and one with plenty of unscheduled time. By travelling independently, you set the itinerary and the pace. The Rough Guide or LP Guide are a great start to working out your own itinerary. Or browse through posts on this forum or Thorntree.
Bus and ferry timetables are all online. There are multiple bus companies, in particular, so you need to search for the one/s covering your chosen destinations. I've only visited Croatia once but found the buses and ferries very easy to use, although sometimes services were infrequent so we had to be aware of the timetable.
One challenge, although of course not critical, is finding a tour group with a spread of ages so that neither you nor your mum feel excluded. With any tour, the logistics are generally easier but you tend to have to fit in with the group's itinerary. If you choose a tour, then I recommend you choose one with a small group (e.g. no more than 10-12 people) and one with plenty of unscheduled time. By travelling independently, you set the itinerary and the pace. The Rough Guide or LP Guide are a great start to working out your own itinerary. Or browse through posts on this forum or Thorntree.
Sep 25th, 2016, 12:44 PM
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Thanks for your input. I shouldve been more clear. We would probabaly focus on the coastal areas like Dubrovnik, Split, Hvar. I will definitley check out the Rough Guide! Thanks for the advice.
