Zagreb
May 2nd, 2012, 04:01 PM
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Zagreb
We will be flying into Zagreb and touring Slovenia and Croatia for a month. I was thinking we would stay in Zagreb or a town nearby for a few days. Any suggestions on accomodations?? We like small inns, walkable to attractions if possible. Then I thought we'd rent a car and head into Slovenia - are there issues with crossing the border with a rental car that we need to consider? Was also wondering how to get to our first night's location from the airport? Thanks
May 3rd, 2012, 12:41 AM
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No comprehensive answer, but:
1. when are you going? It matters.
2. no recommendation of a hotel, but stay near the central square of Zagreb, from which everything is walkable.
3. I think one full day in Zagreb (two nights) is plenty
4. take a bus or taxi into the city from the airport. Do not be dismayed by the hideous suburbs. The center of the city looks like Austria (for good reasons, since Austria owned it).
5. yes, there may well be restrictions taking a car across an international border. You need to be very clear on this before you arrive.
6. since you will have a car, put the Pitlivice Lakes on your itinerary.
7. Read a book about the political and social history of the area, medieval and recent. It is complex and fascinating. Do not worry about the names and dates of kings, but knowing who ruled what areas (turks, Venetians, Austrians) explains a lot about how things look and even more about customs, religion, and who hates whom and why.
1. when are you going? It matters.
2. no recommendation of a hotel, but stay near the central square of Zagreb, from which everything is walkable.
3. I think one full day in Zagreb (two nights) is plenty
4. take a bus or taxi into the city from the airport. Do not be dismayed by the hideous suburbs. The center of the city looks like Austria (for good reasons, since Austria owned it).
5. yes, there may well be restrictions taking a car across an international border. You need to be very clear on this before you arrive.
6. since you will have a car, put the Pitlivice Lakes on your itinerary.
7. Read a book about the political and social history of the area, medieval and recent. It is complex and fascinating. Do not worry about the names and dates of kings, but knowing who ruled what areas (turks, Venetians, Austrians) explains a lot about how things look and even more about customs, religion, and who hates whom and why.
May 3rd, 2012, 08:57 AM
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Thank you both. I realize I was a little vague!! My husband and I frequently travel without itineraries and it has always led to incredible trips!! We are leaving in 6 days, fly into Zagreb, have a month and a computer with us, and rely on advice from many sources once we arrive. I figure we'd stay in Zagreb to deal with jet lag, and then head to Slovenia first; it looks very easy to do with a car. So just wondering if we should rent a car in Zagreb, or take a bus or train to the first spot and then rent a car. We could end up staying the whole month in Slovenia, leaving Croatia for another trip, or we might do some time in Croatia too. It looks like it could be a combination of cruises, ferries, kayaking, hiking - looks like sky is the limit.
Again - I no it sounds crazy that we travel this way, but for us it really works!!!!!
So, back to Zagret - staying in the central square sounds perfect. Any specific recommendtion on boutique hotel, small inn, B & B, etc. Do buses run frequently from the airport into the city??
Again - I no it sounds crazy that we travel this way, but for us it really works!!!!!
So, back to Zagret - staying in the central square sounds perfect. Any specific recommendtion on boutique hotel, small inn, B & B, etc. Do buses run frequently from the airport into the city??
May 3rd, 2012, 09:15 AM
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I hope that Slovenia and Croatia will be my next trip. I'm waiting for May 8, when Rick Steves guidebook will come out. I'm totally confused by choices, and Rick's itineraries will help me plan.
I already have a Fodors Slovenia/Croatia, but it gives too much information, so I'm hoping a Rick Steves will narrow it down for me.
As to crossing borders, I'd call the rental car company you plan on using--or better yet, call a couple of them--and asking their agents about this. I called somebody (maybe AutoEurope or Europcar) and found that one of the countries has an upper age limit of 75 for renting a car.
Ackislander: I liked your tips, especially about reading a history of the area. I always read a history of any country in which I travel, and doing that always clears away confusion. I think this would be especially true in this area, which I visited in the late 60's, when it was still Yugoslavia.
I'm eager to see it again, as it was pretty underdeveloped in those days. Bad roads and primitive camping facilities. I'll never forget the cold-water showers.
I already have a Fodors Slovenia/Croatia, but it gives too much information, so I'm hoping a Rick Steves will narrow it down for me.
As to crossing borders, I'd call the rental car company you plan on using--or better yet, call a couple of them--and asking their agents about this. I called somebody (maybe AutoEurope or Europcar) and found that one of the countries has an upper age limit of 75 for renting a car.
Ackislander: I liked your tips, especially about reading a history of the area. I always read a history of any country in which I travel, and doing that always clears away confusion. I think this would be especially true in this area, which I visited in the late 60's, when it was still Yugoslavia.
I'm eager to see it again, as it was pretty underdeveloped in those days. Bad roads and primitive camping facilities. I'll never forget the cold-water showers.
May 3rd, 2012, 10:09 AM
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We recently returned from 4 days/3 nights in Zagreb and didn't get to see everything I wanted to. There are a many interesting museums and if you like the outdoors, a lake and the nearby mountain.
We enjoyed our stay at the reasonably priced and centrally located Hotel Jaegerhorn. The front desk personnel are full of insider tips. From there you can walk or take a tram to almost anywhere.
Yes, buses run frequently from the Zagreb airport to the city.
To avoid hassles with crossing the border with a rental car, consider taking the train to Solvenia and renting your car there.
We enjoyed our stay at the reasonably priced and centrally located Hotel Jaegerhorn. The front desk personnel are full of insider tips. From there you can walk or take a tram to almost anywhere.
Yes, buses run frequently from the Zagreb airport to the city.
To avoid hassles with crossing the border with a rental car, consider taking the train to Solvenia and renting your car there.
May 3rd, 2012, 11:08 AM
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We visited Croatia with a quick day trip to the Lippizan horse farm/winery/casino (three things I enjoy - could have stayed a while!) in Slovenia. We had no trouble driving to/from. They didn't even stop us - just waved our US passports and were waved through at about 30mph. It never occurred to us to check with car rental co.
You might like Plitvice NP - my husband was sick the day we planned that, so we visited Krka NP. Really beautiful. We went to Pula - interesting little town with all the roman ruins. Spilt was great - we stayed right in town and loved it. Dubrovnik was lovely. Wish we had visited Moser (sp? Sorry). We had time issues, but will some day.
Enjoy - it's an incredibly beautiful, friendly area. Surprises at every turn. You'll love it!
You might like Plitvice NP - my husband was sick the day we planned that, so we visited Krka NP. Really beautiful. We went to Pula - interesting little town with all the roman ruins. Spilt was great - we stayed right in town and loved it. Dubrovnik was lovely. Wish we had visited Moser (sp? Sorry). We had time issues, but will some day.
Enjoy - it's an incredibly beautiful, friendly area. Surprises at every turn. You'll love it!
May 3rd, 2012, 01:04 PM
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The issue with taking the car across a border has more to do with whether the insurance coverage will protect you and whether the contract permits it than with what the border guards do. They have no way to know whether it is a rental car or not. US car insurance does not cover you in Canada or Mexico, for example, without a special endorsement.
Going now is great; you will miss the crowds!
Going now is great; you will miss the crowds!
May 3rd, 2012, 09:16 PM
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I thoroughly enjoyed Zagreb and thought nearly 3 days there insufficient for my interests - which included visiting some of its many museums. Note that pretty much everything in town is closed on Sunday afternoon and Monday (all day); plan accordingly.
I believe there can be problems - or high expenses - taking a rental car from Croatia into Slovenia, but it's been a few years since I was there, so I can't speak with any certainty. If you do take a Croatian car into Slovenia, be sure that it has the "vignette" on the window which is used to record/pay charges on Slovenian tollways (which include almost all the major intercity routes) or expect to face a very hefty fine. Or take an easy alternative: Take a train or bus from Zagreb to Ljubljana. When you are ready to leave that incredibly charming city, rent a car to visit Slovenia. Return the car before crossing back (by train or bus, depending on your route) into Croatia.
It's a beautiful part of the world - Enjoy!
I believe there can be problems - or high expenses - taking a rental car from Croatia into Slovenia, but it's been a few years since I was there, so I can't speak with any certainty. If you do take a Croatian car into Slovenia, be sure that it has the "vignette" on the window which is used to record/pay charges on Slovenian tollways (which include almost all the major intercity routes) or expect to face a very hefty fine. Or take an easy alternative: Take a train or bus from Zagreb to Ljubljana. When you are ready to leave that incredibly charming city, rent a car to visit Slovenia. Return the car before crossing back (by train or bus, depending on your route) into Croatia.
It's a beautiful part of the world - Enjoy!
May 6th, 2012, 05:56 AM
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There is no problem renting car in Croatia, go to Slovenia and back. Are you flying home from Zagreb? If so rent a car is the best option. If you left a car in different country there is a big surcharge for this.
You just be careful to buy vignetta-toll sticker for use on Slovenia motorways. You can buy it on petrol stations or border crossing.
Just to correct Ackislander, Zagreb was never under Austria rule, it was under Hungarians part of Austro-Hungarian state. Slovenia was under Austrian part. You will notice this when visit this parts of former Yugoslavia.
You just be careful to buy vignetta-toll sticker for use on Slovenia motorways. You can buy it on petrol stations or border crossing.
Just to correct Ackislander, Zagreb was never under Austria rule, it was under Hungarians part of Austro-Hungarian state. Slovenia was under Austrian part. You will notice this when visit this parts of former Yugoslavia.
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