You don't specify which month you will be traveling in, but you first will want to see if the ferry schedules for the islands even works with your itinerary.

I assume you mean Plitvice Lakes National Park - it is amazing!! I would definitely give it more time than a couple of hours during a long drive. You could potentially do Zagreb to Plitvice, overnight in Plitvice after seeing the park, and then drive to Split the next day (about 3.5 hours). Not sure what Zadar has to offer as we didn't make it there. You'd probably have to spend the night in either Split or Trogir before heading to the islands.

Then I would choose 1 island and stay 2 nights there en route to Dubrovnik. We spent 2 nights on Korcula and loved it. Again, you need to check the ferry schedules.

Have fun!

We visited Croatia and Slovenia for a short 7 night trip in late 06. It worked pretty well for us. However, we were there during off-season (November) so didn't go to any islands (couldn't find accommodations that were open that time of year) so it made it easier. We spent 3 nights in Dubrovnik, 1 night in Trogir, 2 nights in Novo Mesto, Slovenia (roughly halfway between Zagreb and Ljubljana) and 1 final night in Dubrovnik before flying home.

I will admit that we covered too much ground, and in retrospect I would have spent all the time in Croatia and saved Slovenia for another trip, although we have no regrets. So my response to you would be to probably just stay in Croatia. Although Slovenia is wonderful it deserves more than just a day or two, and there is certainly enough to do in Croatia.

I personally would add an extra day to Dubrovnik on your second itinerary. I wasn't very keen on Split, so if it were me I would remove a day there or spend it in Trogir. I have also heard amazing things about Plitvice, something that we couldn't do because it was pouring the day we had planned to do it. If you think you are going to get bored with all islands I would consider reworking the trip to fit it in.

Best wishes,
Tracy

Without knowing anything about you it's hard to say if you'll be "bored on the islands."
Do you have an option to go directly to Split in the 2nd choice without going through Ljubljana?
Staying in a town (and especially an island town) only one night is typically too rushed though, so I'd cut something out of that first itinerary.

Plitvice Lakes is a must see in Croatia - it would be a crime to miss it! Zadar is an interesting place worth of an overnight stop. There are also ferries there to various islands.

We much prefer Trogir over Split although Split is worth an afternoon. Trogir oozes with charm and character. Split is much bigger and more industrialized (except Diocletian's Palace is great).

What do you want to see? What do you want to accomplish? What are your interests? When are you going? I am not a beach person but do not get bored on Croatia's islands as there is so much to see and do. However, if relaxing is your thing you can definitely do that. Mljet is my very favourite island. Vis is excellent, too. There are tons of options.

I personally like your first itinerary first with a few changes. As it is there is too much happening - too many stops. It is more varied than the second and you would see different aspects of the country. Make sure to allot an entire day for Plitice. I would maybe skip Brac and spend that extra day in Hvar or Dubrovnik. Although Zagreb is interesting perhaps for this trip skip it and save it for next time. Hrvatsko Zagorje, Kvarner and Istria regions alone are worth a major trip to Croatia.

If you do the second itinerary I would choose just one of the islands you have listed -either Hvar or Korcula. I would also allocate half a day in Split.

I realize you cannot see everything on this trip as 8 days is very short. Maybe doing it in chunks would be easier for such a short time (i.e. see the south this time, central next, north next, etc.) rather than trying to cram everything in.

If you visit Korcula and need an apartment, look at www.rentadriatic.com
Or if you need studio apartment, send a request at albertovranjes@yahoo.com

i like the variety of the first itinerary
yes it's short and crammed full but i think youll see a lot
we did plitvice in a morning...three hours or so
it was drizzling quite substantially and, yes, it's beautiful but once you have seen it for a bit, then i guess, unless youre absolutely set on seeing every waterfall, then youd be happy to move on as we were

zadar...we saw in an afternoon..pretty but i liked trogir better..we spent an afternoon a night and a morning there
dubrovnik is everything they say it is...really special..we spent three nights there
havent been to slovenia but itd be nice to see lake bled i think
have a great trip