kaleen1991

Hi All,

I’m travelling to Europe in July to September with my husband (both 25) and just need some advice regarding the route.

I’ve worked out the beginning of my trip but need some advice on one section of it.

We are travelling from Amsterdam and want to visit Croatia (Hvar and Dubrovnik), Greek Islands (Santorini, Mykonos and Crete), Malta and finish in Italy (this is a must; we are starting South of Italy and working our way up).

My questions are:

1. Is this the best route? Ie. Amsterdam > Croatia > Greek Islands > Malta > Italy

2. To get to Croatia, what airport should I be flying to? Should I travel to Hvar then Dubrovnik? What’s the best way to travel between these places?

3. What’s the best way to get from Croatia to Greek Islands and which order should I do the islands?

4. Finally, what's the best way to get to Malta from the Greek Islands?

Thanks in advance for all your help!!

kja

I could easily be mistaken, but must admit some doubts about the viability of this plan.

1. Depends on what you want to see and experience and how much time you have.

2. Split if you go to Hvar first; Dubrovnik if that's where you'll start; and vv. To get between them: the best way, IMO, is to route through Split: Ferry from Split to Hvar and back; bus to Dubrovnik. You can take a ferry from Hvar to Dubrovnik, but I think the scenery better from the bus -- even if it means backtracking to Split. JMO.

3. For options, consult rome2rio.com -- it isn't perfect, but can give you some idea. Only you can decide on WHICH of the many Greek islands you want to visit.

4. Again, consult rome2rio.

Good luck!

clausar

Connections between Croatia - Malta and Athens will limit your options as there are no daily flights.

You can fly from Split to Athens and from Athens to Malta.
To my knowledge there are no direct flights to any of the Greek islands, you will have to fly via Athens.

Olympic Air is flying Split-Athens, Aegean Airlines Athens - Malta Both are reliable airlines belonging to the same company.

neckervd

Dubrovnik - Santorini/Iraklio: change at Athens, Rome or Milan
Santorini/Iraklio - Malta: change at Athens or Larnaca
Crete (Chania) - Malta with Ryanair: change at Rome, Treviso, Pisa, or Bologna

stanbr

In late September we took a cruise from Venice to Croatia and down to Malta. The weather was good but got decidedly better as we went further south to Croatia and then Malta. It deteriorated heading back to Venice later on. All that to say you might want to plan Malta at the end of your trip as it will be the warmest location.
I just did a search for direct flights from Dubrovnik to Crete and found 5 flights in August. Norwegian, Vueling,British Airways, Aeroflot and something called S7.
So you could fly to Crete and start your Greek experience there. Crete needs at least two weeks three or 4 would give you a chance to see most of the island.
There are daily direct ferrys from Heraklion to Santorini and onward to islands like Naxos and back to Athens.
Just for fun here are some images.
Dubrovnik https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...57674684443530

Split https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...57675775193936

Western Crete http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632115757899/

Crete Archeological sites https://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr...7645085297380/

Athens http://www.flickr.com/photos/stanbr5...7632121475515/

clausar

Stanbr

The flights you found being described as direct flights, are having a stop in some other city.
You will see it if you will try to make a booking....

Flying Aegean or Olympic directly to Athens and from there with the same companies to any other island appears to be the best option to me.

stanbr

Right you are clauser. The search I did said these were direct flights but the airline web sites show there is a stop not direct. Flying with Aegean to Athens and connecting is likely the best option.