Planning 7 nights in Croatia mid or late May. Two questions:
(1) How does this itinerary look:
Fly into Dubrovnik --two nights;
then rent a car and go to Mostar --one night, visit Medugorje on the way to Spilt (can we squeeze in the Bay of Kotor?);
then Split, dump the car, spend a night or two in Split;
and a two or three nights in maybe in Hvar—ideally do some bike riding and hiking;
Fly out of Split
(2) Will it be dead in mid May in this area or will there be tourist services such as ferries, sailboat tours etc—or does this all start up in June? (First trip to Croatia, been to other European destinations—last trip to Le Marche, Italy).
Thanks so much!!
Bill K, Sausalito, California

Since I've been visiting this area since 1971 and now live in Dubrovnik my opinions are very biased. Two nights in Dubrovnik, you won't have a chance to discover any of our hidden gems.
Bay of Kotor is south of us in Montenegro and Mostar and Medugorje are north east.
Our season is going to begin on Easter Sunday when many of the shops and restaurants reopen. Everything is open my 01 May and you should have no problem finding places to eat and play - weather permitting.

Dobrodosli u Dubrovnik

Dobrodosli, thanks--glad to see things will be open! I was thinking of staying longer in Dubrovnik as a base to visit the other locations as well as to get get to know the city better.

bill

I think your plan looks fine. Dubrovnik is very small--although I am a proponent of taking time to enjoy a place, it is not my favorite place to linger in Croatia because of the tour group crowds during the day (mornings and evenings will be divine). It is a place to just see--it is truly bretahtaking--then move on. Or, take day trips to Kotor and Mostar while based in Dubrovnik, then just take a bus to Split or a ferry, stopping on Hvar en route.
Check viamichelin to see what your driving time would be from Kotor to Mostar.
May is a wonderful time--ferries do increase June 1, but everything will be open. Only drawback is cold sea--so the later in May the better. Some tours will be less frequent, but nothing to worry about.
Hvar town area is quite hilly, but look into biking along the path from Stari grad to Jelsa.

Just a question for those of you who have been to Croatia. Do you know what "Dobrodosli" means?

Dobrodosli = Welcome!, correct?

Yes you are correct. Dobrodosli does indeed mean "Welcome." It is posted on road signs all over the country, welcoming guests to Croatia. And for those of you who are planning a visit to Croatia - Dobrodosli to Croatia

> can we squeeze in the Bay of Kotor?

With only 2 nights in Dubrovnik, I think that would be pushing it.

Fly into Dubrovnik --two nights;
then rent a car and go to Mostar --one night, visit Medugorje on the way to Spilt (can we squeeze in the Bay of Kotor?)

Yes you can do this, however you will miss out on Dubrovnik, Cavtat, island of Lokrum, dance troup in Clipi, Wine on the Peljesac peninsula, island of Korcula, Elefiti islands and Buza Bar sunsets. Dubrovnik area has so much more to offer than just the old town.

Thanks everyone for all the replies!