AdrienneB

The title about sums this up, except we'll have a few days in Zagreb before we pick up the rental car.
As it stands right now, we'll go east to Bosnia and drive for a few days before landing in Dubrovnik where we'll go north along the coast.
We've traveled through most of Europe with a car, we're not concerned about this aspect.
What we'd really like are suggestions for out of the way villages or sites that one mayn't typically see. A couple of years ago, for example, we were taken to the countryside of China to meet our guides grandparents, who, with hundreds of others, still lived in caves. It was an amazing experience for us and them.
Thank you!

tcreath

When we were in Croatia last month our private guide took us to a town in Bosnia called Trsteno, very near the Croatian border and not too far from Dubrovnik. It was an interesting town and the locals all kind of stared at us, more out of intrigue because I don't think they are used to seeing tourists, especially American tourists, in their small town. The town itself has an interesting walled old town and is worth a stop to look.

If you have time, I highly suggest driving a little bit further south to Montenegro. As beautiful as Croatia was, and it certainly is beautiful, the scenery in Montenegro blew us away. Kotor is fantastic and we already plan to go back and spend a few nights. Its less than two hours from Dubrovnik and fantastic.

Another great town, if you have time and want to drive a little north, is Varazdin, north of Zagreb about 10 miles from the Hungarian border. DH and I stumbled upon this town after reading a little blurb about it in a guidebook and were so glad we did. Its got lots of great baroque buildings and it too was rather untouristy.

If you are interested, you can go to www.kodakgallery.com/tracybates to see pictures from our trip. They are broken up by country.

Good luck!
Tracy

crzn1

Absolutely do not miss Plitvice lakes National Park. Only a few hours from Zagreb by car. Im not really a national parks kind of traveler but this place is amazing.

croatia_bnd

I'll have to put in a vote for Plitvice Lakes NP as well. It was the highlight of our 2 week trip. We loved our long walks through spectacular scenery.

On the otherhand, it does sound like you really enjoy off the beaten path destinations. Plitvice does not qualify on this front. You will run into groups straight off the tour buses at Plitvice. The park is pretty big so it can absorb a lot of people.

Bay of Kotor in Montenegro is spectacular as well. It's a long day trip from touristy Dubrovnik but worth it.

Enjoy!

nbujic

I would be careful driving in Bosnia - some roads are still bad ( the country was at war!) , often through the mountaines . If your car breaks down or something else you'll have a hard time finding someone who speaks English ( not so in Sarajevo).
You may wish to drive from Zagreb to Sarajevo ( Stop for a day) and from there ( stop in Mostar for a few hours) to the coast.
I would spend more time in Croatia and Montenegro than Bosnia.