Its been some years since we visited Yugosalvia, in fact before any of the recent wars, but would highly recommend a visit to Split and the island of Whar. Great History and beautiful sights. Take camera everywhere. Happy Traveling.

What hotels were recommended to you in Dubrovnik and Zagreb? We're hoping to go next spring. Thanks!

There are a few hotels in the centre of Ljubljana - right in one of the main streets is the Slon which I think is mid-range and used to be *the* place to stay in the days of the Austrian empire. Its website is: www.h-slon-bw.si. More upmarket there's a Holiday Inn and the Hotel Lev: www.interconti.com/slovenia/ljubljana/hotel_ljulev.html. I think the cheapest hotel is the Park (http://yellow3.eunet.si/yellowpage/0/turist/park/atabor.html) - I don't know what it's like inside, but it looks a bit scruffy (towerblock) from the outside. I can't comment on what any of them are really like to stay at, as when I went to Ljubljana I stayed at the youth hostel ...

Paige,
In Zagreb hotels Dubrovnik and Palace were recommended to us. I think we'll stay at Palace.
Palace:
http://www.zagreb-convention.hr/convention/palace.htm
Dubrovnik:
http://www.tel.hr/hotel-dubrovnik/euvod.htm

As for Dubrovnik we'll stay at the Argentina hotel:
http://www.hoteli-argentina.hr/

Thanks, Ana. Do you know if the prices on the website are per person or per room?

Paige, if it is 1/2 - it means price is for one person in a double bedroom

Hi! We stayed in Ljubljana several years ago and was very suprised at how pleasant a city it is. The only problem we had was with the hotel. There were not many to choose from 5 yrs. ago so we chose the Holiday Inn and received written confirmation. When we arrived they told us there had been a mistake in the price and it was more than the confirmation stated. After disagreeing, we gave in a paid the higher rate. Later we saw that the hotel was filled with American soldiers for the weekend. The city was worth it however.
We also stayed in Graz several years ago and again was pleasantly surprised. It has a mild climate and is a relaxing place. We initially intended to stay for 1 night and stayed for 3 instead. I don't remember the na,e of the hotel except that it was 4 stars. We were tired from being on the road and wanted a nice place for a couple of days. There is a nice park and restaurant up by the old castle. The restaurant makes an excellent special regional dessert. Try it.
alan

The weather is nice & warm in May, around 30 C on the coast at least. Although the locals didn't feel it was warm enough until the end of May for swimming, only tourists in the water earlier than that. IMO May is the best time for travel - not so crowded in the tourist destinations like Dubrovnik and the temperature is bearable.

Hello Ana,
I was in Croatia 2 years ago and while in Zagreb I stayed at both the Palace Hotel and the Hotel Dubrovnik.The Palce Hotel is by far much nicer and cleaner than the Dubrovnik.Although, as I remember the Palace cost a little more.While in Croatia I visited the city of Dubrovnik but stayed in a private room in the old part of the city.I stayed with a woman named Uba and her husband was Nikoli.It was a nice experience.I don't think there are any hotels in the old center (with in the old city walls)and if you want to stay in that part of the city you will have to stay in a private room, a sobe in Croation.I've also been in Ljubljana and stayed at two hotels there but at the moment can't remember thier names.I will try and remember and send another post on one of them I'd recommend.I would suggest on your itinarary to maybe cut a day off of Zagreb,Dubrovnik and Ljubjana which would give you 3 days to visit one of the Croation islands such as Hvar or Korcula.Ljubljana and although Dubrovnik is one of my favorite places is small also and being so close to these wonderful islands it would be a shame to miss them.I don't know how you traveling but when I went I went down the coast by train,bus and ferrys.While in Dubrovnik I went into croatian airlines and arranged a flight back to Zagreb at an incredable far of 48.00 U.S. which saved me alot of time traveling back to where I had to fly out of, Zagreb. Good Luck!

In Zagreb, I recommend the Hotel Esplanade - it's right on the Trg which is the main square of town and absolutely beautiful.

www.avc.hr/esplanade

In Dubrovnik, I suggest Hotel Excelsior, Villa Dubrovnik or Hotel Argentina. Any of the hotels in that area of Dubrovnik. Very close to the old town and right on the water.

I stayed at Villa Dubrovnik once and they had a little boat that we hopped on that they took us to the marina in town and dropped us off! Although, I would have to say they are a bit pricey.

Graz has a mild climate ?????????
Where do you come from , Alaska ?

Ana,

It's true that there are no hotels in Dubrovnik, but you can stay in a room in the old town. Just be prepared to climb a lot of steps with your bags - ask if the room is up high or not. It's amazingly quiet up high, though, considering the number of people down in the main streets.

An alternative hotel in Zagreb,and less expensive, is Hotel Jadran. We just stayed there for about $60 a night. It's very plain, not fancy, but fine, and it has a great location in town. Ask for a quiet room.

When I said Dubrovnik, I meant the old town. Of course there are hotels in the surrounding city and neighborhoods.

I've been there, and, to tell you the truth, there isn't a lot.In Ljubljana and Zagreb you can walk around the downtown and within an hour you surely close the story ... you could really say they are boring city.But enjoy them: very relaxing ! There's a really nice national park (Triglav, I think) in the interior....
but the whole area around there is pretty mountainous and sparsely populated. Really pretty, but not a lot of towns.
Don't remember any beaches in Slovenia, so I would guess they were unimpressive, though I may be totally wet about that.
Just a warning: do not rely on ATM machines for cash retrievals: they simply do not exist, you have to go for a change, be prepared for that !
Perhaps Slone hotel in Ljubljana used to be *the* place to stay in the days of the Austrian empire...but it was 100 years ago, and now there is a strange (cold) atmosphere in the breakfast room ... seems to be in a very old movie about USSR
In may the average temperature of the croatian sea is 16/19 C° degrees, in slovenia 16°.Also in Croatia there's a really nice national park (Plitvice, I think) in the interior.

About ATM machines, they're definitely in Zagreb. It's no problem finding them in Zagreb and along the coast.

Ana,
You are getting a lot of good advise. I have traveled around Croatia. First, there are now ATMs everywhere. Three days is a lot for Zagreb or Ljublinana (in my opinion), although I do love them both. Hotels in Zagreb, Palace is my favorite. If you opt for the Dubrovnik Hotel specify you want an unrenovated room in the old section. I like the Pension Jagerhorn (small, clean, friendly). Jadran is also a low cost alternative. In Dubrovnik the Vill Dubrovnik is the nicest, if you aren't on a budget. I agree that you should visit an island -- Hvar or Korcula are good recommendations. I also love Split -- Try the Park hotel and be sure to visit Trogir. My favorite spots on the coast are in the North, in Istria -- Porec and Rovijn. Very beautiful. Have a nice trip!

The New York Times 8-4-01 edition carried this FASCINATING article wich you might enjoy. Certainly entices one to visit =!
http://nyt.com/2001/08/05/travel/BRUNI.html?rd=hcmcp?p=03SuN03Sv245_g5012000mrM_SrMwZ

The New York Times 8-4-01 edition carried this FASCINATING article wich you might enjoy. Certainly entices one to visit =!
http://nyt.com/2001/08/05/travel/BRUNI.html?rd=hcmcp?p=03SuN03Sv245_g5012000mrM_SrMwZ

Any new information of Ljubiana or Slovenia?

Julia, where were you looking for information on in Slovenia? I was there a week this May, but just spent 1/2 day in Ljubljuana.

Ana, will you be taking the train everywhere or will you have a car. If you have a car, I suggest driving up to Seckau, about 45 minutes from Graz. A beautiful, quiet little village with a wonderful small hotel--the Hofwirt Haus--elegant rooms and delicious food. The town has pretty gardens, a monastery, and a few shops, but is well off the tourist path. We spent a week there in August (we were taking classes in nearby Knittelfeld) and loved it. The rates were something like $60 a day per person for a room AND three meals (you can do breakfast or two meal plans as well, but the food and setting were so attractive we were glad to eat there).

We are canceling other plans due to the world sitution, and would like to spend about a week in Slovenia. We will have a car, and are hoping for some beautiful scenery and not-too- expensive hotels. I also have the NYTimes article. Thank you BTilke; Mlad, we were in Croatia last year and it was lovely but don't want to do so much driving. Any more info will be appreciated.