Honeymoon in Croatia

first (besides congrats) - for how long? While I'll be the first to extoll the beauties of the central Croatian islands - being that it's your honeymoon and you want to relax on the beach/pool - I would suggest spending a couple days (at least 3) at a hotel/apartment south of the Old Town in Dubrovnik then hop the bus (or car service - whichever your willing to pay for) to Split then catamaran to Hvar (though if you want seclusion consider Vis). Dubrovnik is magical - and being an important occasion, I would recommend doing more than just a day trip.

Brac is nice but different than Hvar - more stone than pine trees lush. It's a fatter island so you spend more time inland going from town to town unlike Hvar which is skinny and you can almost always see the Adriatic. I've only been to the town of Korcula so I can't help you there.

Contact the Croatian Tourist Board - they'll have great advice and suggestions.

Not sure if this is in your price range - but what about hiring a sailboat and crew for a week and sail around the central islands ( I'm doing this for my 50th with my friends)

We spent 2 1/2 weeks in Croatia this past fall. We loved Hvar (3 nights) and Dubrovnik (5 nights). If you want to be by the pool go to an island. Dubrovnik is worth at least 2 nights depending on your interests.

We too are getting married and have been thinking about Croatia for a honeymoon. Does anyone have any contact details/recommendations for chartering a boat. We would definitely like to visit Hvar.

About Vis, a 2 hour ferry ride from Split.

Island of Vis, Croatia. Vis lies between Italy and Croatia, about 30 miles southwest of Split (2 hr ferry.

It’s the furthermost inhabited island amongst the myriad of Croatian islands that make up Dalmatia. This is fabulous sailing territory, and in summer Vis is a prized destination for the many yachts and powerboats that sail around the islands of Croatia. The 2004 Rough Guide lists Vis as no. 2 in their list of “30 Places that must be seen”.

Unspoilt Adriatic Island. What’s special about this island is that tourism has only been allowed to develop in the last 10-15 years, and is very controlled. So… no commercialism and very few modern buildings to spoil the historical and architectural appeal. This is a peaceful holiday which will appeal to people who want to experience a Mediterranean island as it used to be – before mass tourism.

Sailing, Diving, Beaches, History, Tranquillity. In the morning fishermen sell their catches on the quayside or in the ancient fish market. During the day there are the beaches, the produce market and the chance to explore with a hire-car or scooter.

Vis is totally organic (one of the few places in the world) and an agency has just started a tour of some of the vineyards.

The island is also a mecca for divers. Apart from Roman remains and wrecks, you can dive or take a boat trip to the magical Blue Caves.

There is some fascinating history here, particularly from Napoleonic times, with caves, old forts, watchtowers and ramparts to visit.

In the evening you can meander along the cobbled alleyways where wine growers offer tastings of their produce. Then you can sit in one of the many quayside café’s watching the boats moor up while you decide which restaurant to visit that night. The food is excellent – lots of fish, pasta, risotto and local specialities – and prices are significantly cheaper than in the UK.

I, too, am considering a Dalmation Coast honeymoon (in early November). I would be most grateful for information about hiring a sailboat and crew for a week to sail around the central islands.

My fiance and I have learned of a cruise through Elegant Cruises (the Monet yacht) that does a cruise including Venice and the Adriatic coast. Is anyone familiar with this cruise line or this particular cruise? It's a 15 day cruise, which we are thinking might be a bit too long for us (we'd prefer to do a combination of driving and sailing... therefore the request for charter companies). Thanks in advance for any and all info!

Hello - I'm helping to plan a trip to Croatia in July and would love more info on the boat cruises. Any general advice, or thoughts on where to look? I'll definitely check with the Tourism Board.

- Pam

botoole

Depending how much time you intend to be in Croatia, between 7-10 days, I would base in Dubrovnik - the old town is magical!

Then I would stay on one of the islands, Hvar and Korcula have good selection of accommodation.

Personally, I would give Split a miss. Not too much to do and see other than the fortified old town.

Carta_Pisana's suggestion of hiring a sailboat and set sail between the islands is a very good idea and I too look forward to be able to return to the Dalamatian Coast and do that one day!

Enjoy!

Hi there,

Hvar is lovely, ideal for a beach holiday - we thought it was nicer than Korcula. You would not be able to take a day trip to Dubrovnik from there though.

It might be better to split your time between one island and Dubrovnik. The ferries are very efficient and it is not a problem to travel between islands and the mainland. Have a look at the Jadrolinja Ferries website - extremely interesting.

We stayed in Cavtat and took the water taxi across to Dubrovnik for day trips - Cavtat has a sort of village atmosphere. September will be a nice time to visit.

Don't bother going to the islands off season. They will be shut down in November. If you go to the websites and you see that most of the hotels are closed, the island will be closed down literally. We went to Korcula off season and there was one hotel and one restaurant open. Not fun...but we went to look at property so for us, it wasn't a big deal. It would be a big deal for a honeymoon.

The only other advice I have is think long and hard about Croatia for a honeymoon. IMHO, it is not honeymoon quality. It is adventure, interesting quality but that is about it. Personally, I think Croatia is way overrated (with the exception of Dubrovnik, and possibly, Hvar). There is a lot of buzz about Croatia which I just don't get.

Just a differing opinion...
Cheers,
Jan in Ljubljana

The only caveat I have to my previous post is if you rent a boat to tour the islands. This is the best way to see the islands, BUT you must have a captain's license.
Cheers,
Jan

botoole

Perhaps you should also consider crossing the border to Montenegro, still relatively undiscovered and therefore not very touristy. I have not been but have read reports about it and am sure you will find the historical places romantic.

S

For Nicshoff- Elegant Cruises has
a couple of boats & I saw the Monet
which is a lovely small boat.
Captain tied up next to us. They
do have shorter cruises I believe.
You can contact them at
800-683-6767.
Also Travltips has offered this line
at a discount in the past.

BTW, they sail out of Venice which is,
IMO, a lovely place to start or end a
honeymoon.