pgshorty

Hi everybody!

I've been reading through the message here and would love some help on our very short trip to Croatia. We will be traveling from May 4-May 11. Unfortunately, my husband has a very strict work schedule so we only have 6 nights in Croatia. We are flying in/out of Zagreb and leave very early on Sunday morning. Therefore, we will need to spend the last of our six nights in Zagreb. We arrive in Zagreb on Monday morning so we will have most of the day. I was thinking about flying directly to Dubrovnik for 3 nights and then going to Plitvice for 2 nights. I do not think we will have enough time to visit Split, do you agree? What is the easiest way to travel between Dubrovnik and Plitvice? We are a couple in our late 20s who love to travel independently and love to do things outside. We are not opposed to renting a car. Are there hotels you would recommend in Dubrovik (I would like a place with a great view), Zagreb by the airport and in Plitvice?
Thanks so much for all of your help in advance!!

yorkshire

Plitvice is very close to Zagreb, so I would visit there from Zagreb (with a rental car).
Otherwise, you will have a very long drive from Dubrovnik and waste precious time.
Check Croatia Airlines flights between Zagreb and Dubrovnik.

tcreath

We did 8 nights in Croatia in 06 and had a fabulous time.

The flights between Zagreb and Dubrovnik are fairly cheap and there are plenty of them. Definitely check out Croatia Air's website. I think we got our tickets from Zagreb to Dubrovnik for like 30 euro per person.


3 nights in Dubrovnik is a good amount. Its a truly amazing place and while not large by any means with three nights you can enjoy yourself and the beauty surrounding you.

We unfortunately did not make it to Plitvice because the day we had planned on visiting was the one day on our trip that it rained. But as mentioned above Plitvice is pretty close to Zagreb. I would either rent a car or check into a tour or perhaps hiring a cab for the day.

You probably will not have time for Split. But Zagreb is an interesting place. You could spend your last night there, since you are flying out of Zagreb, and enjoy walking around the old part of town.

Best wishes,
Tracy

yorkshire

Also: at Plitvice, if you are staying in one of the hotel parks, you will not need a car and can just take a bus there and back from Zagreb (about 2 hrs, comfortable). The park hotels are all about the same, they are convenient (steps from the park) and some have excellent views. I stayed at the Hotel Plitvice. If you want to get up, eat, and go hike for the whole day and return to soak in a tub, this is your best bet.
Some here have posted about a b&b near Plitvice that is driving distance, and they positively raved about it so I hope some will post the name of it.

csmith331

Hi! Can you tell me why you chose Croatia in the first place? I am deciding between there and Portugal for a summer trip and have no idea what to do. I know people have said that Croatia is supposed to be amazing but I haven't done enough research yet to know why. Any insight between those two destinations would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks!

travel2live2

When we first went to Croatia our other choice was Portugal as well but went with Croatia. Croatia is amazing for so many reasons. Where to begin? My reasons for loving Croatia include (and I am sure that there are hundreds more):
- non-stop breathtaking and varied scenery ranging from foresty hilly Istria to the gorgeous aquamarine sea/coastal regions to gorges to Plitvice Lakes (a MUST SEE)
- interesting culture
- great walking country
- wonderfully friendly people
- excellent food (seafood, olive oil, cheeses, spit roasting, etc.)
- great wines
- intriguing history
- so easy to avoid tourist crowds and find secluded spots
- fabulous climate
- marvelous tiny hilltown villages and lovely seaside villages
- vast array of islands that are positively stunning
- lovely architecture
- tons and tons of trees/vegetation
Croatia feels to me more "real" than many other countries I have been to - less commercialized in some areas. Not all, though - Dubrovnik, while amazing, is packed with tourists.
- inexpensive compared to many other countries (except Dubrovnik can compare with other cities)

I could go on...

csmith331

Thanks so much for that thorough response. It was quite helpful. My husband and I have approximately eight nights there. Do you have any suggestions as to two or three cities that are manageable in that time frame? Again, your thoughts are so very valued and appreciated as we know few people who traveled there. Finally, how would you compare Croatia to Tuscany or Lake Cuomo? Still your top choice? We are having SO much trouble committing as you can see. Thank you, thank you, thank you. One more thing...how do you get from place to place???

lanejohann

im just writing some notes on our trip back in 06 ..hope they help!

pgshorty

Yorkshire-

Thanks for your help...can you tell me how you can book a bus from Zagreb to Plitvice? Are there places to stop along the way that we would enjoy having a car more than a bus?

Thanks!

pgshorty

Does anybody have any advice on what to do once we're in Dubrovnik? Is it worth it to do Montenegro for a day or do we not have enough time to enjoy Dubrovnik?

yorkshire

I took a bus, but I can't think of any places offhand that you'd want a car for between Zagreb and Plitvice, especially with such a short time--I'd just want to maximize my time in the park.
You can book a tour in Zagreb at a tourist office for a day trip, or if you will overnight at Plitvice, just take the public bus (no prebooking needed). You can check the timetable at:
http://www.akz.hr/En.htm

How much time you spend in Dubrovnik and Kotor depends on how much time you allot elsewhere--they are about 3 hours apart by car. What to do there: you can google to read tons.
Most people want at least 3 days in Dubrovnik.

tcreath

I loved Dubrovnik. It's very small so you can "do" everything in just about a day...but I agree that 3 days would be good. It's just beautiful and there is a certain ambience about it that makes you want to linger.

I loved Montenegro just about as much as I loved Dubrovnik. The Bay of Kotor is fabulous and strikingly beautiful. If you can make the time, I highly suggest a visit.

Tracy