Exploring the countryside and natural sights is a large part of Slovenia’s appeal. Save Ljubljana for another time, you would need at least a few more days in the area to make it worth your while.

Check www.bahn.com for train timetables. There is a connection leaving Wien Hbf at 8:25 connecting in Villach to arrive in Zagreb at 17:10. There are also several direct buses daily, which only take about 5 hours as opposed to 8 hours by train; check www.flixbus.com.

You can also fly nonstop from Vienna to Zagreb.

Again, it really depends on what YOU want to see and experience. I enjoyed Zagreb, but thought Ljubljana uniquely delightful, and about 1.5 days there, IMO, just about perfect. (In contrast, I wanted 3 days for Zagreb.) BUT if you defer Ljubljana until your next trip, you could spend a bit of time in Zagreb or add time to one of your other destinations.

As already noted, 2 nights in Split would not be enough for me. One night (about 24 hours) was enough for me in Korcula – which I loved, but it’s small!

I would NOT try to drive in Dalmatia, but would instead return the car ASAP and take public transportation because the scenery is absolutely stunning, and the driver – or at least a responsible one – really can’t fully enjoy the scenery because the roads require his/her attention.

And to repeat: no bad choices, just differences in opinion – which makes perfect sense, given that we are different people with different interests and preferences.

P.S. I'd return the car in Split or, if you take it to Hvar, there.

Another thought. Substitute Mostar for Korcula. Then:

Sun, Jun 10 Arrive Zagreb via train or plane from Vienna. Zagreb (2 nights)

Mon, Jun 11 - Zagreb - city sightseeing

Tues Jun 12 - Get car in am, drive to Plitvice. Visit Plitvice, Plitvice (1 night)

Wed Jun 13 - Drive to Split in am (arrive Split at lunch time). Palace /Riva in afternoon. Could even stop in Trogir en route. Split (3 nights).

Thu Jun 14 – Split and surroundings- visit Trogir etc.

Fri, Jun 15 - More Split and surroundings

Sat, Jun 16 - Hvar (2 nights)

Sun, Jun 17- Hvar

Mon Jun 18 - Hvar to Mostar.Jadrolinija Car Ferry am Hvar(Stari Grad)to Split. Drive 2 hrs to Mostar ( 1 night).

Tue, Jun 19 - Drive Mostar to Dubrovnik (3 nights)

https://goo.gl/maps/NzPpK67qhA62

Wed, Jun 20 - Dubrovnik - no cruise ships scheduled, yay

Thu, Jun 21 - Dubrovnik - best day to visit Kotor - only 1 small cruise ship in port

Fri, Jun 22 - Depart Dubrovnik

I agree with dug_otok that Mostar is worth seeing and is best seen with an overnight stay.

BUT no one can see the highlights of this part of the world in 12 nights -- it's just not possible! I spent a month, on the go throughout (and thoroughly exhausting myself in the process -- but that was OK by me), and I still didn't see everything I would have liked.

The OP needs to decide what they most want to see and experience....

Thank you all for your wonderful suggestions. So much to see in so little time!

I think I finally have it figured out. I found buses from Vienna to Zagreb are faster than trains, good schedule and cheap, so we'll sadly skip Ljubljana and go straight to Zagreb. We'll have to leave early a.m. to get to Plitvice at opening time, but it will save having to drive all the way to Split after touring the lakes. It seems like there is a lot to do around Split (thanks kja), so we're going to stay 3 nights there and then turn in car. Maybe just rent car for the day on Hvar to see more of the island. Since Korcula is so small, we'll just do the one night. Mostar sounds intriguing but not sure if we'll have time or deal with driving. I know we'll love this area or the world so much we'll want to come back to see more. Here is what I have now:

Sun, Jun 10 Arrive Zagreb via Eurolines bus 8am/12:25pm from Vienna (2 nights)
Mon, Jun 11 - Zagreb sightseeing
Tues Jun 12 -Zagreb drive early to visit Lake Plitvice (1 night)
Wed Jun 13 - Lake Plitvice/morning drive to Split, (3 nights)
Thu Jun 14 - Split- visit Split, Trogir
Fri, Jun 15 - Split, maybe visit Omis
Sat, Jun 16 - Split/Hvar (ferry 2 hrs for scenic or morning catamaran) into Hvar Town (2 nights)
Sun, Jun 17- Hvar
Mon Jun 18 - Hvar/Korcula via catamaran (1 night)
Tue, Jun 19 -Korcula/catamaran to Dubrovnik (3 nights)
Wed, Jun 20 - Dubrovnik - no cruise ships scheduled
Thu, Jun 21 - Dubrovnik - best day to visit Kotor - only 1 small cruise ship in port
Fri, Jun 22 - Depart Dubrovnik

Maybe I'm not looking at the right schedule, but it seems the ferries Split to Hvar are in afternoon vs catamaran, so we'll have to decide where we want to spend our time.

Thanks again for all the tips and ideas.

Looks great! There are several car ferries to Hvar but they are going to Stari Grad, not Hvar Town. This may be why you are not seeing them if you are looking at Hvar Town.

Stari Grad is a terminal outside of both Hvar Town and Stari Grad. It is about a 20 minute drive into Hvar Town from there, sometimes the host of your sobe will be willing to pick you up, or there are buses and taxis. The catamaran to Hvar Town drops you off right at the harbor.

>>Maybe I'm not looking at the right schedule, but it seems the ferries Split to Hvar are in afternoon vs catamaran, so we'll have to decide where we want to spend our time.<<

Jadrolinija has a ferry that departs Split 8:30am, arrives Hvar(Stari Grad) 10:30am

http://www.jadrolinija.hr/en/schedul...31794/10062017

See rialtogrl post above.

https://goo.gl/maps/fjd3RAw9wr62

Kapetan Luka has a catamaran which departs Split at 7:40am, arrives Hvar(Hvar Town) 8:40am with one stop in Brac.

Both lines have afternoon ferry and catamaran schedules for Split to Hvar.

http://www.jadrolinija.hr/en/ferry-croatia
https://www.krilo.hr/en/

I agree -- looks great!

BTW, you don't need a car for Trogir, and having a car while in Split can pose challenges.

When I was at Plitvice in October there was some talk that entrance will be by pre-booked ticket. Not sure it will happen this year but it is something to keep an eye on. If I hear anything more I will post about it. They have to do something because the park is too crowded. Getting there as early as possible in June is a super idea. You can also pre-book your catamaran tickets (for the car ferry it is not really necessary if you are planning to walk on.)

@dugi_otok<<<Mon Jun 18 - Hvar to Mostar.Jadrolinija Car Ferry am Hvar(Stari Grad)to Split. Drive 2 hrs to Mostar ( 1 night).>>>

The drive to Mostar is 3+ hours.....and you haven't factored in time stuck at the Border checkpoint.

That said, the drive and Mostar are worth the divertion.

From 1000 to 1500 Trogir is mobbed with tour groups moving at snails pace The lanes are narrow and will be congested. The place could really just have been part of Split old town. Basically it's a tourist trap, and be on guard against pick-pockets and leaving your bag under a cafe chair.

@dugo_otok<<<Jadrolinija has a ferry that departs Split 8:30am, arrives Hvar(Stari Grad) 10:30am>>>

That's the sailing we got at the end of September, and returned on the 1730 sailing.....a perfect way to spend a day, and we were treated to a wonderful sunset on the way back.

I booked tickets [94 kuna return for a foot passenger] online on the Jadrolinija website, but there is a kiosk at the beginning of the ferry pier.

I must disagree about Trogir -- the stonework there is truly exceptional, well worth visiting IMO.

Just noticed you're going in June. I'm 99% certain the Croatian schools break-up mid June, so it'll be busy at all the popular spots.

Keep your eye on the Dubrovnik Cruise schedule, as it does change without a lot of notice

@kja<<<I must disagree about Trogir -- the stonework there is truly exceptional, well worth visiting IMO.>>>

I agree with you.....but you'll only really appreciate the place if you visit outside of the core 1000-1500 tour group hours. It's like anywhere popular, avoid the crowds to make the most of it.

We got there at 0930, for the first 30 minutes or so the lanes were empty.....after that I couldn't wait to leave.

VIENNA - ZAGREB:
The bus is about 2 hrs faster than the train. But the direct train (EC Croatia, Vienna dp 4pm - Zagreb ar 22.42) has a dining car where you can have dinner.

TROGIR:
Trogir is a charming place in the evening and early morning, when people who sleep there will be in town. These people will of course go to other places (Islands, museums and Roman buildings of Split, archeological zone of Solin, etc.) during the day and will never see the mentioned 10.00-15.00 crowds.

"Since KORCULA is so small"
The homeland of Marco Polo isn't a big Island (280 square kms, compared with the 297 square kms of Hvar or the 98 square kms of Mljet), but people who like scenic medieval cities, nature and beaches will easily be kept busy there during more than a week.

I'm amazed at the fountains of information you all are and appreciate your generosity in providing it! I've been making notes of your comments and it will definitely help make our trip run more smoothly.


@rialtogrl<<<When I was at Plitvice in October there was some talk that entrance will be by pre-booked ticket.>>>
Thanks for heads-up. I'll keep an eye on their website in case of changes.

@kja<<<I must disagree about Trogir -- the stonework there is truly exceptional, well worth visiting IMO...BTW, you don't need a car for Trogir, and having a car while in Split can pose challenges.>>>

@LancasterLad<<<I agree with you.....but you'll only really appreciate the place if you visit outside of the core 1000-1500 tour group hours.>>>

@neckervd<<<Trogir is a charming place in the evening and early morning, when people who sleep there will be in town.>>>

It's clear we should plan to visit Trogir in the late afternoon/early evening to avoid the worst crowds. Appreciate the insight.

So unless we plan to visit outside of Split surroundings where a car is a more of a necessity, it looks like we can get rid of the car when we get to Split. From everything I've read, parking can be very difficult in many places.

@kja -- what are your favorite sights in Split area?

Ferry and catamaran info is very helpful. Good to have options. I saw there are buses Stari Grad to Hvar Town for the 20-30 min ride if our host can't pick us up.

@neckervd<<<VIENNA - ZAGREB: The bus is about 2 hrs faster than the train. But the direct train (EC Croatia, Vienna dp 4pm - Zagreb ar 22.42) has a dining car where you can have dinner.>>>

Thanks for info on the direct train and dining car. Never thought of that.

In Split, my favorites include: exploring Diocletian’s Palace, the stunning and unusual Cathedral, the lungamare and various public squares, its delightful and colorful open-air market, the view from Marjan…. Split also has an impressivel array of small museums, some of which are well worth visiting if they mesh with your interests. I'll let you decide about that, but will note that I’m glad I saw all of the ones I visited (there were several), and would draw your attention in particular to the Meštrovic Gallery and associated Kaštelet. All of these sites are covered well in the Rough Guide; if you don’t already have it, I strongly recommend it.

BTW, I believe the buses between the port at Stari Grad and Hvar Town are timed to meet the main ferry.