We are planning a 3 month trip to Europe (see post for other details in link here: http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...-and-where.cfm). We plan to end the trip visiting Croatia, Montenegro, and possibly Bosnia Herzegovina. It is my husband, myself, and 4 year old son travelling. We have heard great things about Croatia (Dubrovnik and Split specifically) but really know little else about this region. So far we are thinking about the following itinerary, but welcome any suggestions & insight on where we should stay and for how long. We are looking to move at a slow pace which is why we have extended stays planned.

I assume it's a good idea to rent a car for our stay in this region...
I also plan to find out whether these countries are included in the time limits for the Schengen Visa. I don't believe Croatia or Bosnia & Herzogovina are included in the 90 day limit, but it appears Montenegro may be?

Montenegro 7-10 nights:
-Kotor 5 nights
-Budva 5 nights

Bosnia Herzogovina:
-Mostar: 1 night

Croatia: 7-10 nights
-Trogir: 3 nights
-Dubrovnik: 7 nights

We relied on public transport in Dalmatia, which was cheap, comfortable, convenient and safe. I would hate to be the driver on the trip from Split to Dubrovnik, for example. On the twisty road the driver has to be constantly alert and would miss the views entirely. On the bus, by contrast, one can relax for the four hour trip and enjoy the spectacular views.

My only other comment is that your itinerary seems to ignore the islands. Spending seven days in Dubrovnik, while not seeing Korcula or Hvar would miss a large part of the charm of the country, IMHO.

Another way to move up the Dalmatian coast is by boat. We took the Jadrolinija coaster from Dubrovnik to Korcula, which we loved (and could have spent more time on). From Korcula we took a catamaran which stopped at Hvar and then went on into Split. This would help you see some of the islands.

Fortunately, you'll be in this area at the end of your trip, which is high season, with a maximum choice of ferry routes and sailings. Even so, it's necessary to pay close attention to the ferry schedules. Not every route is covered every day.

There's a lot more to see north of Split: assorted islands, Sibenik and Krka National Park, Zadar, the Istrian peninsula. Inland there's Plitvice National Park (a UN World Heritage Site) and Zagreb.

And if you get very far north, you're close to Slovenia, a wonderful small country set adjacent to the Julian Alps.

So many places to go, so many places to see. And everybody has their own must-sees. Plus you have the Schengen stay issue. But I wouldn't want you to make your choices without knowing about these alternatives.

P.S. About your week in Dubrovnik. Unlike the rest of your Croatian itinerary, it can get VERY crowded in Dubrovnik, with multiple cruise ships dumping off shiploads of daytrippers. Staying there you can see the town early morning, late afternoon and evening, minus the cruise ship crowds. But I'd consider staying in some nearby town, near a sandy beach.

If you're going to Bosnia I would highly recommend Sarajevo, easily reached by train or bus from Mostar.

There is no way I would spend a week in Dubrovnik. It is overrun with cruise ship passengers and can easily be seen in one day. It would be shame to visit Croatia without seeing Plitvice and/or the islands.

I would pick either Kotor or Budva, not both.

For my trip to Dalmatia last year start here: http://mytimetotravel.wordpress.com/...22/busy-budva/

Thursdaysd.......Hola.

I now see I have another source for our trip next Sept/Oct.2013.

Cheers.

moreweird - hola y feliz navidad - been meaning to send you an ecard.

Are you home? I haven't seen you on Fodors.

I agree about the islands. Here are pics from Dalmatia and Kotor.
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=3882

I dunno if you're christian or even spiritual, but if you are or just curios...visit Medugorje.

Sense of peace in that place is unsurpasing.