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Please help with 7 day itinerary for Croatia

Please help with 7 day itinerary for Croatia

Old Jan 5th, 2016, 01:04 AM
  #1  
M25
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Please help with 7 day itinerary for Croatia

I am so amazed by everyone's expertise on this forum, so I'd thought of start this thread to get some advice on a 7 day itinerary in Croatia.

We are planning to travel sometime in Sept16, from Amsterdam for 7 days to Croatia.(Me, my girl friend and a boy of 18month)
We would like to know where to fly in and fly out - we're ok for any kind advice.

We will appreciate, if you can provide, information on:
1) Where you'd visit within these 7 days and how to split days between those spots.
2) How you'd arrange it logistically (flying in where, driving/ferrying where, flying out of where)
3) Any must-dos in any of those locales? A place we would like to visit for sure is Plitvice Lakes National Park.

We are less into museums/historical sites, and our major emphasis on food and locals.
Also we can't rent a car or so to speak can't drive, so please suggest itinerary based on public transport.

Thanks all!!!!
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Old Jan 5th, 2016, 03:45 AM
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Hi there!
Croatia - very good choice!!
7 days is not a very long period, but if you really want to see a lot of diversity of Croatia (food, nature, cities, culture...) the best thing is to start from Zagreb and go south, to Dubrovnik, if possible.
So, fly in - Zagreb and fly out - Dubrovnik.
If this sounds like a too much traveling with 18 months baby, you can plan fly out from Split.
Plitvice lakes are just on the way from Zagreb to the south (but not on the high way, be careful)
1)
Zagreb - I will suggest one night, northern from Zagreb, overnight on some local farm, local winery (taste some local specialties, very different than in other Croatian small region)
Plitvice lakes (as you said is must and it's really the most unique spot in Croatia), you can stay there...maybe on some local farm, taste local cheese and local specialties
Zadar, Sibenik, Trogir - any of those small town can be a base for 2 - 3 days.. exploring the area...
Split for a day
Ston (2nd largest defending wall, like Great China Wall)
Dubrovnik

or
2nd idea:
Zagreb - Plitvice lakes - Istria (Motovun, Pula, Groznjan, Hum - the smallest town in the world)
- this could be probably much easier for you and there is plenty to see... bu without car, you will be limited so much

if you really want to travel as locals, to have a real feeling of Croatia and all those small regions I'll suggest you to have a Private guided tour with English speaking guide in comfortable A/C car or minivan... because you just have 7 days, and that kind of personalized tour designed to your points of interests should be the best buy option for you
if you need any link, please just contact me

have a nice time in Croatia
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Old Jan 5th, 2016, 07:10 AM
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@max_cro - advertising is not allowed on this forum. Stop posting on every Croatian thread and suggesting the use of a private guide i.e. you.
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Old Jan 5th, 2016, 07:25 AM
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Thanks max-cro.
Please share the link, it will at least help me and others.
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Old Jan 5th, 2016, 07:56 AM
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@M25 - I see that you, like max_cro, are new here (or are you max-cro by another name?). Advertising is not allowed on this forum. It is clear from max_cro's profile that he is a tour guide. If he advertises his services, other than by the link in his profile, the post will be deleted.
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Old Jan 5th, 2016, 01:25 PM
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thursdaysd, I see that you "see" much more than average person, so you can "see" non-existing things, like I'm another person, that I'm not... it's so funny
I'm not breaking any rules, because, there is link to my website in my profile and that's allowed... I didn't advertise in forum, or you "see" again something invisible
or
you are just mad at me because I corrected you in some of yours totally wrong suggestions! is that allowed here, to give wrong suggestions to the people?

I always give correct information (if I don't know I will never suggest something) and in the same time I give one extra option to people who'd like to experience Croatia like locals do.. or, if they wanna experience more than they can do on their own... M25 said that they can't rent a car... so, what's the difference if you suggest (or advertise) some bus transfer (obviously it should be some private bus company) or I suggest to the people to have a Private guided Tour? actually, compare my post and your 2 posts - did you help? did you answer on any question?
actually, you make 2 advertises for me, as a private Tour guide! maybe I'm you, as well
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Old Jan 5th, 2016, 01:28 PM
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Have yet to see you correct anything I wrote.

Pulling up old threads as you've been doing is a good way to make yourself unpopular here.
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Old Jan 5th, 2016, 01:47 PM
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is attacking on every new member here a good way to make yourself popular?
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Old Jan 5th, 2016, 05:34 PM
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@ M25 -- I'm sure you will love your time in Croatia!

"A place we would like to visit for sure is Plitvice Lakes National Park."

Oh, that park is magnificent! FWIW, the Plitvice Lakes National Park is, IMO, the single most un-missable of Croatia's many splendors. Not only are the lakes connected by travertine waterfall formations, each lake has unique microbiota, and as a result, the lakes are different colors. The best way to see that is to make a single, long loop through the park -- something on the order of 6 hours or more (including time for the boat that connects the lower and upper lakes), and by all means, start at the lowest part of the park so you are facing the falls as you proceed. If you can't manage that much time -- and it could be difficult with the little one -- then consult with the park rangers at any of the park entrances to plan a route that meets your needs. They are happy to individualize a route through the park that meets travelers' unique needs! Still, I definitely recommend starting at the lower end, as the most dramatic and unusual falls are, IMO, closest to that entrance.

"1) Where you'd visit within these 7 days and how to split days between those spots."

With only 7 days, you can only see a small part of Croatia. Given your understandable desire to see the Plitvice Lakes, I would suggest you select one of two areas -- either Istria and a bit of the north of Croatia or the area around Split. If you try to include more than that, I think you will spend too much of your time in transit and too little of your time actually seeing anything, particularly because you are traveling with a little one.

I recommend that you get some good guidebooks or spend some time with a few in your local library (I found the Rough Guide the best, by far, of the half dozen guidebooks I used when planning my time in the area) and do some research to decide what most appeals to you. These are VERY different areas -- Istria bears the distinct marks of its Italian heritage, has a few stunning small water-front cities, and has lots of small towns that were largely abandoned after WWII and have since been reclaimed by artist colonies and tourist-oriented businesses. Split is, IMO, a dynamic, energetic, vibrant city with a glorious waterfront, the remarkable Diocletian Palace, and lots of interesting squares -- but not everyone likes it. There are nearby treasures like tiny Trogir (just 1/2 hour away), with its remarkable stonework, or one or more islands, or Sibenik... These areas will show more of the influence of the Romans and later, the Venetians (then a separate city state).

"2) How you'd arrange it logistically (flying in where, driving/ferrying where, flying out of where)"

If the Plitvice Lakes are a primary anchor for your plans, then you will probably want to fly into Zagreb and out of Split or vice versa. (And if you do so, consider giving underrated Zagreb a day or two.) BUT what your best choices will be will depend on which area(s) you decide to visit. Again, I found the Rough Guide the best of the available books for describing transportation options.

"3) Any must-dos in any of those locales?"

Of course! But IMO, "must-dos" are the things that most interest YOU. Consult some guidebooks!

Hope that helps!
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Old Jan 5th, 2016, 05:46 PM
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@ max_cro – as you have been told, advertising is not allowed on Fodor’s. JMO. And while attacking new members is not a good way to make oneself popular, attacking one of Fodor’s most valued, generous, and widely travelled posters (namely, thursdaysd – who is, IME, extremely welcoming to new members who come to Fodor’s seeking information, rather than seeking to sell services) is not likely to endear you to the rest of us – it simply undermines your already fragile credibility. Good luck to you!

And FWIW, I think one gets a much better “real feeling” of a place by sharing public transportation with local people, not riding in a pirate car with a tour guide.
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Old Jan 5th, 2016, 06:01 PM
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OOPS! The "JMO" was supposed to be at the very end of my post. There is no question about whether advertising is allowed here -- it is NOT. My statement about preferring public transportation to private cars was just my opinion.
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Old Jan 6th, 2016, 07:02 AM
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kja, For What Is Worth.. it is really nice that you knpw what is worth... I thought that is very individual thing, but you know for all people in the world... this is great, like in North Korea!

i don't know what pirate car doesn't mean? do you have one?

if you try to explain Private guided tours you should inform your self much, much better! Private tours for very small groups of 2, 3 or 4 person are global trend and one of the best ways, not to just visit, then to feel, explore and understand some country. It is not just about riding in the car (which is more valuable and worth than any public transport by it self), it is about mingling around, meeting a lot of locals, get to the places where regular guest will never get by him self... the reason is obvious, proffesional guid is local expert who knows the best places and off the beaten paths, who knows where to eat, what are local specialties, where to taste the wine, where is the best position to see something or to have unforgettable view...

you reall ythink taht bus driver will knows better viewpoints than guide who visited litvice lakes more than 100 time, like me??
oh, you are so wrong... or just jelous??
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Old Jan 6th, 2016, 07:14 AM
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my suggestion for private tours was just my opinion, but you obviously think that you're more equal than me!! so, your personal opinion count, mine not, right?
I wrote 15 posts and in 2 or 3 of them I suggested to some people to take private tour (someone named it advertising and you just continue with it... someone else ask for a link because that information can be valuable to someone, but you will never understand that!)

I suggest Private tour because I recognise some posters problem: lack of time, not desperate to drive, they wanted to see a half of Croatia in just 7 days ... my personal opinion is: this is possible only in a private guided tour ... and that opinion is based on over 10 years of personal experience
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Old Jan 6th, 2016, 07:19 AM
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Why anyone would take a professional guide's opinion as to worth of guided tours as anything other than special pleading/advertising is beyond me.

A private tour can be a good deal for some people in some places, there is no "one size fits all" trip. But with the kind of attitude displayed by max_cro I certainly won't be using him if/when I return to Croatia.
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Old Jan 6th, 2016, 07:54 AM
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@thursdaysd you are continuing to advertise here!!
It is only you who said 3 times here that I'm a tour guide. I didn't even mention that.

OP ask for hel0p with itinerary, and, please, just look at your posts. Did you help? (except the ads for me, LOL). but this is nice showcase who is talking about the attitude... usually, all your words are talking more about you than about me... actually, I understand... you are "the boss" here and now, when someone noticed your fake information - you feel insecure... that someone will ask for advice a professional guide and not you... but, why to ask you? 3 posts here and all of them just about advertising... no one single helpful line... that's the answer on your question

and the only boss here can be someone who ask the question or who ask for help
I did answer on many questions in my post, I gave my opinion and suggestion about food and locals amd, yes, I mentioned private tours because I'm sure that many guests doesn't even know for that service in Croatia
OP recognize that as helpful answer and even ask for the link (I know that's forbidden to give some link here)
and you attacked on me!!
that's enough said about yours and mine attitude

please, try to find any one helpful line in any of your posts here (helpful to OP, of course) and that will relly describe your most valued and generous credibility (mentioned by kya)
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Old Jan 6th, 2016, 01:59 PM
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I see max_cro is advertising his guide service on Tripadvisor too. I would never use a service offered by someone who has no respect for Travel Forum rules.
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Old Jan 6th, 2016, 03:56 PM
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not to mention the remarkable level of respect shown for others.
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Old Jan 7th, 2016, 05:46 AM
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thank you for your ads
but this is just your opinion, of course LOL

talking about TripAdvisor, many travelers, when they see my reviews are more than happy to use my service...
as, I said, thank you for advertising here LOL
I will never do that... I just pointed to the people that there is such a service of Private guided Tours in Croatia. That's all. But, jealousy doesn't have a limit for some people, so sad!!
mo one of you didn't help to OP with one line.. but you have a time to share your miserable thoughts about me... so, so sad!
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Old Jan 7th, 2016, 04:33 PM
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max_cro wrote: "mo one of you didn't help to OP with one line" -- If you are trying to say is that none of us tried to help the OP, then let me encourage you check your facts. You can disagree about whether what I wrote was or was not helpful (which, of course, only the OP can actually decide), but you are wrong in asserting that none of us tried.

But please, continue to provide further reasons why no one should consider using your services.
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Old Jan 8th, 2016, 01:39 AM
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Hi All,

Thanks for all your input, I was honestly looking out for right information. But I see only few answers

@max-cro, I have a suggestion for you, please respect forum rule and others opinion. I'm not saying that, I'm not thankful, but it's just a suggestion.

very thanks @Kja, this is what I was looking for, at least I can start homework from here.

@thursdaysd, I am different individual than max-cro. I was thanking him, because of his suggestions.
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