Croatia-Dubrovnik-split 8 days

Old Jul 5th, 2015, 01:18 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Croatia-Dubrovnik-split 8 days

My wife and I are flying into Dubrovnik and out of split (8 days total) in late August. Never been to Croatia and am trying to get my head around the best itinerary. It's a much awaited little "adult time away" from our beautiful (but sometimes hard work) 1 & 3 yr old daughters.

Interested in local dining, relaxing at the beach beach and seeing what I hear to be a beautiful country without being "on the go" the whole time.

Early thoughts are 4 nights Dubrovnik, 2 nights Hvar and 2 nights split. Is this reasonable or too rushed? I have read other forums but still unsure of how to travel internally. Is ferry (boat) travel possible between these destinations and if so is booking in advance advised/essential?

Any other tips would be much appreciated, hope to hear from any Croatia experts novices or other soon!

Thanks.
dutchaussie is offline  
Old Jul 5th, 2015, 02:37 PM
  #2  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
It really depends on what YOU want to see and experience, so all I can do is offer some of my opinions:

4 nights is, IMO, a bit much for Dubrovnik. It is a lovely city, but there isn't that much to do, unless you plan on a LOT of day trips.

I found Hvar a bit too upscale for my tastes, although it is certainly beautiful. I trust you considered Korcula instead?

Some people don't like Split, but I loved it! "2 nights" could mean 1 day or 3, depending on when you arrive and leave. FWIW, I would have liked 2 or 3 days for Split and Trogir (just 1/2 hour away and well worth seeing IMO).

If you haven't already seen it, I strongly recommend the Rough Guide for Croatia. Of the half-dozen guidebooks I used when planning my time there, it was BY FAR the most helpful.

It's a beautiful part of the world -- enjoy!
kja is offline  
Old Jul 5th, 2015, 03:00 PM
  #3  
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 21,369
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Here's how you ferry (catamaran - no cars) from Dubrovnik to Hvar:

http://www.croatiaferries.com/dubrovnik-hvar-ferry.htm

Here's how you catamaran from Hvar to Split:

http://www.hvarinfo.com/hvar-ferries/

Remember, Hvar is the name of the island and also of a town/port on the island; there's also the town of Stari Grad on the same island. Pay attention to where the catamaran or ferry actually drops you on the island. You may need a bus to shuttle you between towns on the island if you are staying in one and the ferry drops you in the other.

I just came back from a few weeks in Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia. If you are going to stay four days in Dubrovnik, consider day trips, unless you are planning simply to relax there. Otherwise, there isn't a lot to see in Dubrovnik old town that would take much time. I loved Montenegro; I'd highly recommend a day trip to Kotor. But you can do lots of day trips and excursions - up to you what you'd be interested in.

Personally, I have found the Rick Steves Croatia/Slovenia book indispensable for my three trips to the region. His book is full of practical information. I highly recommend it.
Andrew is offline  
Old Jul 5th, 2015, 03:06 PM
  #4  
kja
 
Join Date: Dec 2006
Posts: 23,089
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Unfortunately, the Rick Steves guidebook didn't cover many of the things I found to be among the highlights of my time in the area -- I found it woefully inadequate. YMMV.

BTW, I thought Stari Grad delightful, so you might look at that, too.
kja is offline  
Old Jul 6th, 2015, 10:11 AM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,350
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
I also think 4 days in Dubrovnik is a bit much UNLESS you have identified day trips you wish to do (again, grab a guide book to help you allot your days). It sounds like you will enjoy the downtime on an island--I'd do at least 3 nights. I would avoid Hvar town in August but go just about anywhere else. On Split, people are, well, split. The palace is pretty amazing but your time is limited, so I would consider just a night there so you can spend more time on an island.
Ferry and catamaran schedules:
http://www.jadrolinija.hr/en/ferry-croatia
http://www.krilo.hr/en/sailing_schedule.html
http://www.gv-line.hr/raspored.php?linija=3&lang=E
Sometimes, it works out better to just take the 4 hour bus between Split and Dubrovnik, depending on what island you select and the schedule of course.
yorkshire is offline  
Old Jul 9th, 2015, 12:34 PM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks all for your feedback and advice. After further thought now thinking 2 nights Dubrovnik, 2 Korcula, 2 in Hvar and then 2 in Split. Hopefully this isn't too rushed.
My dilemma is I have heard that Vis is a great island and we would be happy for a couple of days of just relaxing.

Any recommendation on how to work this in to our itinerary? Skip Hvar or korcula ? Or would it mean ferry to split from hvar/korcula and then back to vis?
dutchaussie is offline  
Old Jul 9th, 2015, 01:11 PM
  #7  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,350
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
You can see the transport options in the links I pasted--you usually have to access Vis via Split (jadrolinija) unless the more limited Hvar-Vis line (krilo--just Tuesdays) works for your schedule. You could take the bus from Dubrovnik to Split, then go to Vis, then return to Split. That's a lot of time lost in transit, but both the bus ride and ferry ride are scenic at least.
Two nights is just not enough for Vis. I don't recommend it unless you can give it three. You can visit as a day trip from Hvar (a paid excursion, not via public transport) or skip Hvar and Korcula to stay on Vis instead. It might help you decide to know that it is really best to rent a car or scooter while on Vis. But if you do, the beaches you can get to are stellar.
One thing that you need to consider now is accommodation--August is crazy and you need to make decisions so you can find good accommodations. Or, start searching accommodations and maybe that will help you decide.
yorkshire is offline  
Old Jul 10th, 2015, 08:23 PM
  #8  
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Posts: 968
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Maybe it's fixed now but on the two separate days in June when I used the Kapetan Luka catamaran between Dubrovnik, Korcula, and Split (the boat that also stops in Hvar,) the A/C was down, there was no outside seating, and everyone inside was completely miserable. It was the worst part of our visit to Croatia, a place I found very lovable in all other regards. The rear seating area was hottest - AND the toilets back there just reeked of... well, you know.

In the face of this there were no explanations, no apologies, no discounts, no free drinks. All we got was the finger.

It's an older Danish vessel that probably isn't getting the proper maintenance in its new home. If something else goes wrong that they can't fix over the course of a couple days, then you should expect the same mistreatment.

It's a lovely route but this fact would NEVER get me back on that boat.

We used a bus between Split and Zagreb - a vastly more enjoyable experience.

On our next trip there I'll likely plan our itinerary using the REAL ferries.

For the record, loved Split despite the tourists. Nearby Trogir is spectacular. Korcula is precious. Dubrovnik is amazing but I'd say only a couple days there. Zagreb was quite odd - I don't understand the attraction fully.
Fussgaenger is offline  
Old Jul 13th, 2015, 12:55 PM
  #9  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Have you considered renting a car when you leave Dubrovnik? I drove from Dubrovnik to Korcula then took the car ferry to Split. The benefit is that you can go where you want, when you want. Other than the ferry schedule from Korcula to Split we didn't have to plan around anything. It was great to have the freedom to improvise and get to places like Pupnatska Luka beach on Korcula, or Konoba Braenovic restaurant after an afternoon of wine tasting on the Peljesac peninsula.
Parking can be interesting but we really didn't have any problems. And if you are concerned about directions the smartphone app named "Here" provided us flawless GPS navigation in every part of Croatia while in offline mode with no data plan consumption.
John_R is offline  
Old Jul 14th, 2015, 03:47 AM
  #10  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
We did think of driving but thought it might be a hassle and actually thought that requiring a car ferry might be limiting.

Whilst we have never been to Croatia before i know most places charge (sometimes excessively) to drop off hire cars in a different location then the pick up location?

Yorkshire? if you don't mind, why would we need a minimum 3 days for Vis? I would like to but can only seem to find 2 days? i didnt think there was much to see or do there?
dutchaussie is offline  
Old Jul 14th, 2015, 04:20 AM
  #11  
 
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 25,426
Received 4 Likes on 4 Posts
4 days too long for Dubrovnik, Trogir is a good day out from Split (catch the bus), look at Bol instead of Hvar,
bilboburgler is offline  
Old Jul 14th, 2015, 06:56 AM
  #12  
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,350
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Up to you whether you rent a car or not--there are pros and cons for having one and not having one. Dropping off at a different location within the same country does not usually result in a large fee. For a trip of this length and pace I think a car would be a hindrance, and you would be limited to car ferries--no catamarans.
re Vis: I just think to make it worthwhile I would prefer having three days--you can certainly do it with two, but that leaves you only one full day. Check the ferry and catamaran schedules before deciding so you will know exactly how much time you will have there. You are correct, it is not an island for sightseeing but just for relaxing--preferably by renting a car or scooter or bike and zooming around until you find the perfect beach. The day you arrive the car rental place may not be open, etc.
As I emphasized before--accommodation availability is what is going to drive this if you are talking about next month!
yorkshire is offline  
Old Jul 14th, 2015, 12:59 PM
  #13  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
With eight days in play I think you should be able to plan to catch car ferries without any hassle.

I guess car rental just depends on personal preference. I value being able to stop at three wineries, one oyster shack, two small towns and an incredible out of the way restaurant if I want to as I transit between hotels in different locations. All of which I did on the drive from Dubrovnik to Korcula. It was one of the best days of our trip and it was mainly due to the fact that we had the freedom to stop wherever we wanted to. The car ferries from Orebic to Korcula run every hour so there was no need to plan ahead for that one.

I'll echo what others have said about Dubrovnik: great place and beautiful but for me 4 days would be too long. The old town is really small and you can easily walk around the majority of it in a few hours. Two nights worked out well for us. If you are going to be there for 4 days then two should probably be devoted to day trips elsewhere.
John_R is offline  
Old Jul 17th, 2015, 09:14 AM
  #14  
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
John_R - What Wineries did you visit and where was the oyster shack? I too am planning a visit in Sept and would love to hear about your recommendations.
Thanks,
Kathleen
kaa01803 is offline  
Old Jul 17th, 2015, 11:55 AM
  #15  
 
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 90
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Kathleen-

The oyster shack was a recommendation from the owners of the place we stayed in Dubrovnik (Fresh Sheets Kathedral B&B). They gave us written directions but it was pretty simple. The shack was on the Pelješac peninsula on the main road just after leaving Ston heading west and where the water comes right up to the road. There was just a small house on the right side of the road with a couple of picnic tables and a sign saying "Oysters". We knocked and the owner came out, asked what size and how many we wanted and then went out onto the pier and pulled our oysters out of the water. Cash only as you can imagine. If you see the place and ask yourself "Is this it?", pull in because it probably is.

We stopped at three wineries on the Pelješac peninsula: Milos in Ponikve - good wines and very personable young man who did the tasting for us. Gave us an excellent recommendation for lunch at Konoba Braenovic near Potomje (a little hard to find but worth it).
Grgic in Trstenik - excellent wine although the tasting selection was small. Beautiful location but the tasting room was a little shabby and the person who helped us seemed somewhat disinterested. Could have been a bit of a language barrier so I'll give him the benefit of the doubt. The wine was really good.
Korta Katarina in Orebic - The building is very nice and the views of the sea from there are gorgeous. The tasting room was sadly closed when we got there so I don't have anything to say about the wines other than that they were recommended by a couple of different sources.
John_R is offline  
Old Jul 28th, 2015, 07:41 AM
  #16  
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks for the info John. I will put it in my list of things to do!
Looking forward to the trip.
Thanks again.
kaa01803 is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
scoyne999
Europe
5
Jul 24th, 2018 10:15 AM
marstoad
Europe
5
Apr 23rd, 2018 09:26 PM
meganamanda
Europe
3
Sep 29th, 2016 06:03 AM
dcdee
Europe
6
Jul 20th, 2004 01:53 PM
WanderingTexan
Europe
4
Feb 20th, 2004 04:01 PM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -