planningtravel

Looking at a tour of Slovenia, Croatia and Bosnia. I've cut and pasted the itinerary below and welcome comments on the itinerary as well as the price. I am aware Slovenia is merely the starting and ending point for the tour and I'd arrive a day or two earlier to visit Lake Bled.

I usually travel independently but because of time constraints, the fact that bus travel in region is slow and the rail network doesn't go to the cities of interest to me I'm debating whether to join a tour. I have no desire to rent a car and drive around, so please don't suggest this an alternative to the tour.

The tour is operated by Cosmos, I have been on one of their tours and am fully aware that their hotels aren't in prime locations and a bus ride to town is the norm. I am aware that some of there tours have hidden costs associated with them. This particular tour has two optional excursions which are both folklore shows and dinner in two of the stops.

I'm primarily interested in seeing Lake Bled, Motor, Dubrovnik, Split and Plitvice NP in these countries. I welcome suggestions of places I've overlooked.

I would travel in October. The cost of the tour with a single supplement is around US$1600. Budget is of importance and I'd like to know if I can travel to these sights within 10 days max (not including flights) around the same price (or less) as a solo traveller? I'd love to visit other ex Yogoslavia countries too if this becomes an independent trip.

Please advise, thank you. Here's the tour itinerary.


Day 1 Arrive in Ljubljana, Slovenia

Check into your hotel. The rest of the day is free for you to see some of Ljubljana, the Slovenia capital with a strong Alpine/Austrian architectural flavor. Tonight, meet your Tour Director and fellow travelers. (D)

Day 2 Ljubljana–Postojna Caves–Zadar, Croatia

Undoubtedly one of the highlights on this tour is a visit to the POSTOJNA CAVES. Your included visit is comprised of a TRAIN ride and a walking tour, which will allow you to see what are possibly Europe’s most extensive and best-known caves. Then, into Croatia, traveling along the coast to Zadar for sightseeing and an overnight stay. It was under Venetian domination for centuries, then Austro/Hungarian, was ruled by Italy after WWI, and today belongs to Croatia. (B,D)

Day 3 Zadar–Split–Dubrovnik

Drive south to Split to visit the former home town of the Roman emperor Diocletian and his palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. More of the lovely Dalmatian Coast before reaching Dubrovnik for two overnights. (B)

Day 4 Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is the best-preserved Croatian medieval city and the liveliest in Dalmatia. The most interesting part of the city is, of course, the Old Town. The Local Guide will give you a full commentary on the history of this beautifully preserved medieval architectural wonder on your included sightseeing tour. Afternoon and evening optional excursions are available. (B)

Day 5 Dubrovnik–Neretva Gorges–Mostar, Bosnia-Herzegovina–Sarajevo

Start the day with a scenic drive into the rugged beauty of the Neretva Valley. Stop in Mostar, where a Local Guide shows you the remains of the TURKISH QUARTER and the reconstructed 16th-century BRIDGE. On to Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia-Herzegovina and certainly the most Turkish-looking city in the Balkans—famous for its mosques, markets, and bazaars. Your included city sightseeing with a Local Guide will give you a grand opportunity to get acquainted with the city and its architectural highlights. (B,D)

Day 6 Sarajevo–Plitvice National Park, Croatia

Travel north today back into Croatia to visit the country’s best-known national park—PLITVICE. Enjoy a walk with a Local Guide through the breathtaking scenery of this natural wonder. Its 16 lakes, wooded hills, waterfalls, and cascades make it one of Europe’s most loved national parks. Overnight in this area. (B,D)

Day 7 Plitvice–Zagreb–Ljubljana, Slovenia

First, stop today for sightseeing in Croatia’s capital, Zagreb. This city is packed with historic buildings, such as the gothic-style CHURCH OF ST. MARCUS. Continue to Ljubljana for more sightseeing and an overnight stay. (B)

Day 8 Ljubljana

Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning. (B)

planningtravel

One more thing, I have no desire to visit beaches or go sailing. I am primarily interested in cultural and historic sights.

aleksander57

If you go solo with a car on the same route it will cost less. October is out of season, lots of places in Dalmatia, Bosnia will be closed - typically summer destinations - prices are much lower, food and accommodation is cheap. Probably on budget you can go by $30-40 per night in Hotels and even cheaper in B&B. Only Slovenia will be more expensive - Euro country - but not so much. You can see much more in your own time, add some Islands, Istria.

I will go Ljubljana, Bled, Soca Valley, Istria, Plitvice, Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik, Mostar, Sarajevo, Zagreb, Ljubljana. It's long route with lot of driving for ten days. Positives are - not crowded, easy drive, relatively cheap. Negatives - October can be rainy, short days.

thursdaysd

I agree that October is a bit late for this itinerary. I was in the same area in mid October 2011, and everything was shutting down, at least along the coast.

I disagree that you need a car or a tour - and certainly not this tour. I used buses and a few trains. The scenery is very good so I did not find the bus rides too slow.

If your interest is in cultural and historic sights you will hate this tour, it gives you far too little time in Split, Sarajevo and Zagreb. It's also not clear how long you actually get at Plitvice - how long is the drive from Sarajevo? I spent two nights there and wouldn't have minded longer.

Dubrovnik is very cute, but these days it is often overrun with cruise ship passengers.

Andrew

Dubrovnik is much better late in the day after the cruise ship passengers leave. I was there a few weeks ago, didn't arrive until after 5PM, and it was wonderful, not remotely crowded. In October, it may be even less crowded; depending the weather in October, it could even be rainy by then. I'd prefer to go first week of October, probably not last week of October.

thursdaysd

Oh, yes, it can indeed be crowded in October! I had to queue up to get into the old town, on Oct 19. There are over 100,000 passengers already scheduled for October this year. Intending visitors should consult this site for less crowded days:

http://www.portdubrovnik.hr/girica1.php

theecoquest

Travelling through the Balkans (which for us was Serbia, Bosnia, Montenegro) using public transport, with the odd taxi my daily budget for travel, accommodation, food, tours, interests etc was £44.84 (we were two people however so I guess that helps with taxi's and accommodation).

The Mostar to Sarajevo train journey is great if you do decided to not take the tour.

geenance

zadarThis trip may be the right pace for you, but it certainly wouldn't be the right pace for me. For example, the drive from Dubrovnik via Mostar to Sarajevo happens one day (4 hour drive plus border stop). The next day the drive is from Sarajevo to Plitvice (5 hour drive plus border stop). If you want to check out Mostar, then how much time would you have in Sarajevo, particularly if you have a 5 hour drive the next day? Why bother?

I would suggest you use public transportation and cut out Dubrovnik (or else cut out Ljubljana and start in Zadar or Split). This would actually give you time to spend in the places you are visiting.

With one week to spend I would suggest going to only 4 places max. Options to consider would be:
- Zadar/Split/Mostar/Dubrovnik
- Split/Dubrovnik/Mostar/Sarajevo
- Zadar/Split/Mostar/Dubrovnik
- Ljubljana/Zadar/Plitvice/Zagreb
- Ljubljana/Zadar/Split/Dubrovnik
- Dubrovnik/Mostar/Sarajevo/Split
- Zadar/Krka/Split/Dubrovnik
- Zagreb/Plitvice/Split/Dubrovnik

I think you get the idea.(I actually would prefer an itinerary of only 3 places max.)