Hi - we just returned from two weeks in Croatia (with a day trip to Montenegro). We very much enjoyed it - the country is beautiful and the people are really lovely.

We picked up our rental car in Rovinj (Croatia) - we were coming from Italy but could not find a rental car company that would let us drop off in Croatia. We rented with AMC Rental (via AutoEurope) and there was no drop off charge for leaving it in Dubrovnik.

We found the driving/navigating to be fine - there are a lot of windy roads but the other drivers were fairly sensible. Some of the autoroutes are very impressive - saw our highest posted speed limit on the A1 - 130 km/hour; a beautiful road to drive.

I'll be doing a trip report shortly - in the meantime here is a link to our blog which we are slowly finishing....highly recommend our apartment in Dubrovnik and will have several restaurant recos as well.

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/parisandbeyond/croatia/

Barbara - I did this in September and October 2006. I flew into Zagreb, picked up a car and drove to Ljubljana...an easy drive. I liked the city a lot. There's a lot of activity in the old town on Friday and Saturday...market, art shows, lots of people at sidewalk cafes along the river. I spend two or three nights in Ljubljana, then drove to a beautiful small town about an hour away, Skofja Loka. I spent an hour or two there, drove to the Skojan Caves and stayed a couple nights in Piran, a nice little seaside town. It was a long day, but didn't feel rushed. Most people include the Lake Bled area, but because of time constraints, I didn't.

From Piran I explored a bit of Istria, spending a couple nights in Rovinj, an even nicer seaside town. I dropped the car at the Pula airport. Plan to see the amphitheater in Pula. I then flew one of the few non-stop flights directly to Dubrovnik from Pula. Don't miss Dubrovnik, a trip highlight for sure. I rented a car for a day there and drove to Montenegro. Another long day, but I felt it was enough time to get a feeling for it. There are also bus day trips that people on Fodor's say are well done and worthwhile.

Picking up and dropping the car in Croatia was a big savings over picking it up in Slovenia and dropping it in Croatia. All the roads I encountered were very good. Many were excellent. Driving was no hassle at all. There's a lot I didn't see of Croatia...the area between Pula and Dubrovnik, and any of the islands. But, again, given my time constraints, I felt I saw a lot of both countries. I flew home via Zagreb and only was able to spend a little time there before my flight back the next day. I could have used more time there.

Here are my photos from that trip that may peak your interest.
http://www.pbase.com/jeff_b/slovenia
http://www.pbase.com/jeff_b/croatia_2006
http://www.pbase.com/jeff_b/2006_hotels

Oops. Here are the Montenegro photos, too.
http://www.pbase.com/jeff_b/montenegro

Jeff, your photos are beautiful. They are so devoid of crowds. That must have been tricky.

There have been several recent threads about driving in Croatia. You might do a search of this board using the search feature near the top.

You should definitely aim for an open jaw flight if possible.

For some notes on the restaurants I visited, see:
http://www.fodors.com/community/europe/croatia-and-nearby-locations-restaurant-notes.cfm

Thanks Grassshopper. I'm more patient taking pictures than I am with most things. It's a challenge sometimes.
http://www.pbase.com/jeff_b/image/123618448

Sorry to hijack this- but has anyone been in this area in November?

I am going to Dubrovnik this September.It will be my first trip to Croatia..Can't wait.

Kistmet, be sure to check out Jeff's photos... they're wonderful!

How much time do you have? It should be no problem flying in to Ljubljana and out of Dubrovnik (Dbv is very close to border and Montenegro airports not as busy). Even if you fly into Zagreb you'd be so close to Slovenia for it to be worth it.
It sounds like doing a rental dropoff across the border in Slovenia and Croatia is not a problem, but Montenegro might--just return in Dbv if so.

Thanks Grasshopper I will...

Thank you all for this fantastic information and the speed of response! The pictures are outstanding Jeff and really getting me excited! I would like to ask all of you though, if I had to cut anything out which of the three areas....Slovenia, Croatia or Montenegro? Would appreciate your thoughts....we will have 10 days there so I am not sure if that will be enough for all three.

Kismetchimera:
You asked about learning some simple Croatian phrases on another post. If you want others, let me know.

Hvala - Thank you (Response is "Hvala Vama")
The hv sound is easy, just change it to "F" fala
Dobro Jutro - Good Morning (J is sounded same as a Y"
Dobro Dan - Good Day
Molim - Please

With ten days you could visit Slovenia and the Istria region of Croatia, OR do a typical Croatia coastal trip, OR visit southern Croatia and northern Montenegro.
When you say fall, do you mean September or Oct/Nov. You can never predict the weather, but I'd be inclined to do a coastal trip in September when the sea is still warm and a mountain trip when leaves are changing.

Barbra - Thanks for the kind words on the photos. I did the itinerary I described above in less than ten days. But then, I was traveling alone and usually didn't spend time on leisurely lunches or hanging out in cafes that I probably would do with if I were with someone. So, it does depend a bit on how you travel.

Again, I didn't see any of Croatia between Istria and Dubrovnik...and didn't see a lot of Slovenia. I definitely would include Dubrovnik and Montenegro. A day trip is probably all you need to see the highlights of Montenegro. There are also other day trips you could take from Dubrovnik. The old town within the walls of Dubrovnik is small. A couple days there should be more than adequate.

So, if you want to see a lot more of Croatia than I did, I'd say to cut Slovenia. As much as I liked it, I could have used more time there to really do it justice. Also, because it's further north, it would be easier to tie it into another trip... to say, Italy or Austria. For me, the highlight of Slovenia was Ljubljana and I only spent two nights there. A full day was enough time. Piran is nice, but Rovinj is better. Skofja Loka is nice too, but not so special as to make a special trip unless you're in Ljubljana. I think most people skip it and spend the time in the Lake Bled, Julian Alps area.

Hvala Vama Dubrovniktravelady..

dubrovniktravelady, I guess that with an ID as yours you know or are very familiar with Croatia.
We will be spending a week at Dubrovnik in September and we plan to do some field trips..

I was reading about that we can take a ferry that leave from the old gate of Plot? and we can stop in various islands.

I cannot remember what the islands are called..

Croatians names are very hard for me .Have you taken this trip by any chance?

Croatia language is very hard for me to remember although that I am used to foreign languages.

I may learn how to say few things in Croatian and few days later I have a blank and cant remember anything..

Am not very sure which part of town your asking about, Plot does not make sence. I will venture a guess the island trips you are asking about are a short 15 minute trip to Lokrum. It is an island just off the port in the old town, a natural preserve and a lovely place to stroll and spend a few hours.
Another trip would be the Elefiti islands, which are 3 island off the newer part of town. You can take an excursion there from the new port, which we call Gruz.
You can obtain much information about my town from the Dubrovnik tourist bureau. I have also begun a blog about my experiences here as a Croatian/American expat who has chosen to retire in Dubrovnik. After 3 years, I have no desire to return to the US, my heart and soul have found a home in Dubrovnik.

http://www.tzdubrovnik.hr/eng/index.php
www.essenceofdubrovnik.com

Jeff--I really enjoyed seeing your pictures of Slovenia and Istria. We are seriously considering a trip there this fall. We saw some of southern Dalmatia last year.

I was interested in your observation that Rovinj is "even nicer" than Piran. We had considered going to both. Why would you give Rovinj the edge?

Vttraveler...I'd do both if you have time. They are somewhat similar, but Rovinj seems larger with a little more character and charm. Maybe just being able to see the town across the water, like in the photos, gives it the edge and adds drama that you don't have in Piran. Rovinj isn't an island, but feels that way. Piran seems more like a small penisula sloping down to the water. There is also a large open market at the edge of the old town in Rovinj that I believe is open daily.

For me, Piran was a logical stop for that day's drive in Slovenia. My comment, too, was to justify cutting Slovenia out of Barbra's itinerary. But I'm glad I was able to see both.

Thanks for the clarification. I would like to see both but would probably base in Rovinj longer and see the basilica in Poreč on the way and Pula as a day trip from Rovinj.

Dubrovniktravelady,I was thinking about visiting the Elefiti islands and Lokrum..My lodging is near the gate of the old port.

Also after watching the beautiful photos of Ston from another poster blog, I would love to take a day trip there also.Are you familiar with that town?

I am glad that you have found a place that stole your heart and soul.I will try to read your blog later.

Meanwhile Hvala and Grazie,
AnnaMaria

Sounds like your lodging is in our Ploce (plo-cha) area, just outside of the walls of the old part of town. If this is true, most of the apartments have fantastic views, however usually many steps to reach them. Make sure you know exactly the total count, after some fresh seafood and several glasses of wine the steps seem to multiply very quickly.
Ston and Mali Ston are wonderful places to visit. Do not miss them, it's usually a stop on the road to the Peljesac peninsula. Peljesac (pel-yeh-shatz) is home to our Mali Plavac (small blue) grapes. If you have a designated driver, there are many wineries to stop for wine tasting. Be aware that Croatia does not tolerate drinking and driving and our level here is .05.
Croatia has been Europe's best kept secret for many, many years. Enjoy your trip!