Gram

Need help with this itinerary please. We will arrive in Dubrovnik on May 19th and must depart from Pula on the 29th. Will not be renting a car and want to stick to the coast/islands. From this forum, seems like Korcula, Hvar, and Split/Trogir all sound wonderful. Just can't figure out how long to stay at each location and which places can just be a day trip via ferry. Should we stay in Pula or better places in that area? Any suggestions will be welcomed.

yorkshire

Don't book in advance, so you can just stay where you like and move on when you are ready (no prob in May). With this caveat: let the ferry schedule be your guide.
From Dubrovnik (2-3 days), take a bus (once daily I believe) to Korcula--it is a gorgeous ride. Check the ferry schedules so you'll know when you have the opportunity to move on from there:
www.jadrolinija.hr
It looks like the ferry departs on 5/21 and 5/24, throwing a slight kink into your plans, so check to see if there are catamarans from Korcula to Hvar or Split on the days you need at www.korculainfo.com (click on Korcula Ferries link).
The ferry goes to Stari Grad on Hvar, and you can take a bus to Hvar Grad from there. (Catamarans go directly to Hvar.)
Hvar and Korcula are similar, so you may not want to visit both.

A day trip between Hvar and Split is cumbersome, but you can easily visit Trogir from Split or vice versa via bus.

Finally, from Split you can take an overnight ferry to Rijeka and take a bus to Pula. However, the schedule for this ferry doesn't really work, since it leaves on 5/25 and you may want to stay in Dalmatia longer.
That means you are going to have to take a long bus ride, so you'll have to pick somewhere in the north to break up that trip.
I haven't been to Istria, but Rovinj sounds nice.

Gram

Thanks, Yorkshire. I love the idea of not being locked in by booking in advance. It does seem, though, that it will be necessary to be very aware of the ferry schedules, much like it is here, in the northwest, getting around the Olympic Peninsula. Appreciate your comments.

yorkshire

That is the case in May, as that is just before the high season schedule kicks in--but take heart that this also means gorgeous weather (fingers crossed) and less crowds. Also, the long distance buses are comfortable, the views are usually great, and you get to hear Croatian pop music.

A good strategy is to check with the tourist office upon arrival on an islands (or in a small town) to check on transportation options--some new routes could open up between now and May.

Another thing you might consider is to head to Plitvice after Split and then head west from there. (Make sure you can get from there to Pula in time for your flight though)

I always recommend the Croatian National Tourist Board website--especially the interactive maps. Although I haven't travelled north (outside of Zadar, Plitvice, and Zagreb), I have read about many wonderful places on that website.
Good Luck!

elaineg

Yorkshire (or anyone else),
I hope you don't mind me asking, but what makes you say that a day trip from Split to Hvar is cumbersome? To my understanding, the passenger catamarans are a 50 minute ride and takes you right into Hvar Town? I am considering doing this (in early June), so I thought I'd ask. Thanks!

uaz04

I concur with what others have written, and the ferry schedule [along with the weather] can guide you.
You are limited by time, but if you end up spending a few days in Istria [either by choice or due to weather], then there is much to do and see - but public transport is not so tourist friendly. Nevertheless, many small and lovely pensiones and agro-tourism hotels can provide you with transport as well as serve as a local guide. Istria is not so large, and has a great road network, so you can visit or stay in any area you like and still get to Pula airport.
good luck and enjoy

michael

yorkshire

Elaine:
It may be possible for you, it would not be for the OP because May is the low season ferry schedule, so no daily boats.
I don't think the jadrolinija high season schedules are out yet. Check them closer to your trip. There may be other companies doing that route also.

You definitely get a lot more out of the islands by staying on them if possible, but Hvar Grad is very small and could make a nice day--with a scenic boat ride and then a stroll through town and a rest in a cafe--all IF the schedules allow.

elaineg

Thanks so much, Yorkshire. That makes a lot of sense about day tripping in June. We'll wait for the catamaran schedules and go from there. If that doesn't work out, we will consider the option to take an early ferry from Drvenik to Sucaraj on Hvar Island and drive to Hvar town from there, 90 min I've heard. Then spend the night there, and head back to Split on a 2hr ferry the next day.

yorkshire

Just wanted to make sure you know that cars can go on ferries but not catamarans. (If you are keeping the car, you'd take the ferry from Stari Grad to Split)
Some say the drive from Sucuraj to Hvar is hair raising, others say it is no big deal.
I rode in a car from Jelsa to Hvar, so I imagine the entire island would be quite a gorgeous drive.
Good Luck!