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Croatia/Bosnia/Slovenia Itinerary Feeback Request

Croatia/Bosnia/Slovenia Itinerary Feeback Request

Old Apr 18th, 2015, 02:32 PM
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Croatia/Bosnia/Slovenia Itinerary Feeback Request

I'd appreciate feedback on the following May itinerary (overnights in parentheses).
I will have a car starting on the 8th leaving Dubrovnik, returning on 25th in Ljublana
I must drop off girlfriend at Zagreb airport noon on the 18th, meet again evening of 21st in Ljublana

6th evening-- arrive in Dubrovnik
7th Dubronvik (Dubrovnik)
8th to Mostar (Mostar)
9th to Sarajevo in AM (Sarajevo)
10th Sarajevo (Sarajevo)
11th to Split/Trogir (Split or Trogir)
12th Split/Trogir, then car or passenger ferry to Solta or Vis late PM (Solta or Vis)
13th Solta or Vis (Solta or Vis)
14th Ferry back to Split, drive to Zadar (Zadar)
15th drive to Istria ?stop at Pula (Rovinj)
16th Rovinj/Hill towns (Plitvice)
17th Plitvice (Zagreb)
18th to Slovenia (undetermined)
19th-21st: hiking in Karavanke mouintains in Slovenia (undetermined for 19th, 20th, Ljubljana 21st)
22nd: Ljubljana (Ljubljana)
23rd: Lake Bled/Bohinj (Lake Bled/Bohinj)
24th: undetermined backcountry in Sovenia (Ljubljana)
25th: bus/train to Italy; flight from Rome to USA is on 28th

Questions:
Which Croatian island: Solta vs Vis vs Korcula? Priorities are scenery, authentic, less tourists, biking/hiking
Worth taking car to above islands or leave in Split/Trogir?
Need to reserve ferry ticket in advance or May 12 or just show up couple hours before?
All constructive feedback and recommendations appreciated!
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Old Apr 18th, 2015, 03:25 PM
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kja
 
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Should be a great trip!

You might want to add a day to Sarajevo. And, depending on your interests, you might want more time in Zagreb.

A car could be a disadvantage in many of the cities. You might want to wait until you are ready to leave Zadar to pick up your rental. Too, you might face a hefty drop-off fee if you rent the car in Croatia and return it in Slovenia, so you might consider dropping the car Zagreb, taking a bus or train to Ljubljana and then, when you are ready to leave that charming city, pick up another rental.

I don't think you will need advance ferry tickets at that time of year.
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Old Apr 18th, 2015, 06:27 PM
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Admittedly I have never been to the region (but will be shortly), however it strikes me as curious that your itinerary is very fast paced, with significant travel, for the first 2 weeks and then you slow down once you get to your final week in Slovenia. I'm curious as to what your "travel style" is.

You say you are interested in scenery and "authentic", but if you only skim through places, then I'm not sure how you will find "authentic".
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Old Apr 18th, 2015, 07:09 PM
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Thank you kja and geenance.

Kja: Unfortunately I will not have time for Zagreb this trip, really only going to drop off friend at airport. I only have 2 days in Sarejevo though I suspect I'll want to return to Bosnia for a more focused exploration. Regarding the car, I want it in Bosnia to go at my own pace with possible stops in villages en route, same in Croatia, though I agree I'll need to worry about parking. Drop-off fee in Slovenia is Euro 80 and is worth it to me. I'm happy to hear that I can probably buy the ferry ticket the same day.

Geenance: Yes, I agree this is a rather whirlwind sampling of Croatia and Bosnia. Regrettably, I need to drop my girlfriend in Zagreb on the 18th. I am prepared to sacrifice a location or two (? Istria and/or Zadar ) if we feel too rushed-- I have no advance reservations after the first few days. My`travel style' is usually slower but in this case I'm thinking ` overview' with the expectation of returning for a more focused trip. I am an avid hiker/climber and envision slowing down/relaxing in the sense of more hiking and less driving once in Slovenia. Perhaps I misuse `authentic'. I meant to describe an island experience without many tourists, less developed. I'm grappling with Solta or Vis or less likely Korcula, and I only have time for one. I appreciate your comments and I hope you have a great trip too!
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Old Apr 20th, 2015, 03:42 AM
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I would change Zadar - Istria route and go to Plitvice from Zadar and then go for Istria. From Rovinj to Zagreb you have very good scenic road through Istria. In 3 hours you can be in Zagreb.I would also return car in Zagreb, took train to Ljubljana and saved 60 Euro. Train route also very scenic and cheap. Parking in May will not be an issue anywhere.
Regarding islands I will go for Korcula, very nice and in May you will not find many tourist anywhere. Some places will be even closed - to early in season.
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Old Apr 21st, 2015, 06:38 AM
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I would not go to Vis for only one day. Solta should be nice, with no need for a car or advance tickets.
I have a strong suspicion that this plan will be thrown out the window once you get there--enjoy!
Of course travel style is personal, not right or wrong, but to me, Croatia is the quintessential slow travel kind of place--stop and linger somewhere for a few days. For example, just explore Split for an afternoon and then head to an island for at least two nights, eliminate some of the other one nights stays for more time in fewer areas (like Istria).
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Old Apr 21st, 2015, 02:25 PM
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aleksander57: Thank you, looking at a map I agree that it makes more sense to go from Zadar to Plitvice. If pressed for time I may sacrifice Istria (see below)

Can you clarify how returning the car in Zagreb helps me? It costs an extra 80 Euro to return the car in Slovenia, but if I return it in Zagreb I still need to pay for a train to Ljublana and rent another car in Slovenia. Seems like it would involve extra logistics and time with little cost savings.

Yorkshire: Yes, I suspect a full day is not enough for Vis, and Solta is closer with more ferry connections. How would you compare the two? Hopefully there is a place to safely leave my car in Split. Following your suggestion, I could cut out Zadar and/or Istria and spend more time on Vis. I'm not sure Istria should be a high priority for me since I've been to Venice and Italian hill towns before and may stop in Venice and Verona on my way to Rome.
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Old Apr 21st, 2015, 02:52 PM
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Don't forget to buy a vignette sticker for driving in Slovenia; otherwise you face a steep fine if stopped driving without one on the highways:

http://www.slovenia.info/en/faq/Vign...?faq=199&lng=2

Out of curiosity, what is the cost of your rental car for the whole period (how many days) not including the 80 Euro drop fee?
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Old Apr 21st, 2015, 05:03 PM
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If you return car in Zagreb you avoid drop off charge and you have at least six trains to Ljubljana, cost is 16 Eur, journey is two hours and can be faster than car. Sometimes you can spend up to 1 hour just on border crossing, but in May probably less. Also you will need to buy vignette as Andrew mentioned it which cost 15 Eur.
It will take a little logistic, but you will enjoy scenic train ride and relax. Money wise, saving is not huge, but sometimes money counts.
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Old Apr 22nd, 2015, 06:48 AM
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I have not been to Solta, but I know it is much closer to Split and smaller, so if going for one day that is what I would choose. IF you allot at least two (preferably three) days for Vis, then I would take the car over because there are some stellar beaches that you can only get to with a car (or scooter or bike if you are hearty). Of the 8 islands I have been to, Vis is probably the most scenic--and that is saying something. However, one caveat: in May you might find the beaches have a lot of rubbish washed ashore. They "clean" the beaches in June when the season starts. The sea could be a bit cold, but swimmable if the weather is hot, so I might let weather be my guide, as there is no need to book accommodations in advance at this time of year.
I missed that you has asked about Korcula, which is also nice to visit with a car. You may even want to explore more of Bosnia between Mostar and the coast. If you are going to drive, I say take full advantage.
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Old Apr 24th, 2015, 01:53 PM
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Andrew: cost for 2 weeks and 3 days is 257 Euro plus 100 Euro one-way drop off (80 Euro plus 20 Euro tax) for VW Golf-class car. Yes, I'm aware of the vignette, thanks. I suppose I can buy it at a petrol station upon entering Slovenia

aleksander57: Yes, I'm sure it is cheaper to drop the car in Zagreb on the 18th and take a train to Ljublana compared to driving there (with the drop-off fee). However, I do not plan on going to Ljublana until the 21st. From the 18th -21st I will be exploring rural areas in Slovenia and hiking so would need a second rental and vignette anyway. I think this may simply add another layer of logistics and cost time for a savings of ? Euro 50.

yorkshire: Thanks for your input on Vis. My instinct tells me I would really enjoy Vis but I agree I'd want a minimum of 2 days, with the car. I don't care about swimming so not an issue, I'll try to overlook the rubbish! I'm looking for nice scenery, a relaxed `vibe' , opportunity for renting a bicycle or a hike, and quaint villages. Nice to know there is no need for advance accommodation bookings, thanks.

Yes, I suspectI may take at least a full day to drive from Sarajevo back to Split to explore places en route.
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Old Apr 25th, 2015, 03:32 AM
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You can buy vignette on petrol station in Slovenia, but I'll advise you to buy it before you enter Slovenia, or on the border crossing. You will cross the border on motorway and first petrol station on it is in Brezice, 10 km away. Regarding the law, you are allowed to drive on motorway until first petrol station without vignette, but sometimes people from DARS can be a little too eager to fine the motorist.
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