Glad you had a good trip, and I enjoyed your report. We were there in late September/early October and loved it. Too bad that part of your bus ride from Split to Dubrovnik was after dark because this is truly a lovely drive. I was sorry that we did not get to Korcula; however, I got the impression that you were not that impressed with it. Any more comments about Korcula? I agree that Dubrovnik is very special.

With all the wonderful feedback on Croatia it's certain I'm going to have to get myself in gear and go. It took me years to get to Tallinn after I first decided I wanted to and it seems to be the same with Croatia, I don't know why.
Because I'm doing one very long trip next year plus have a two week and another 1 week planned, I doubt I'll get there in 2004 but perhaps 2005 will be the year.
Thanks again for sharing.
Kavey

Judi......
It is so much fun to discover new & beautiful places!!
I remember the amazing Istrian marble lining the paths of Rovinj....the same marble that lines all the river & creek beds throughtout Croatia.
Thanks for your great report!!

Judi,
Just saw your trip report and I want to thank you. I'm just reading a travel book for our trip there this spring. We're going on a tour that starts in Slovenia and ends with two days in Dubrovnik. WE'll be on our own for nine days after than and I don't know where to begin, so your information really helped. We will take a side trip to Montenegro with the tour group and after your experience, I don't think we would attempt it on our own.

We're staying at the Palace Hotel and can't find any information about prices if we extend our stay there, although my husband wants to stay in private homes after watching Rick Steves. Can I mention his name? Finding inexpensive treasures to stay in, is half the fun for him. I would love to stay one night at the Villa Argentina. Did you have a reservation? I did find a price for there, but it was quite high.

I would appreciate any additional suggestions for restaurants, things to see, etc.

I'm really getting excited about this trip after your post and the other comments. Thanks again.

Croatia sounds wonderful.Does anyone have info on chartering bareboats in this area.Also I would be interested in getting Patricia's e-mail as it appears we live in the same country and travel to similar places.

Thanks
Penny_T

http://www.skardacruise.com/

Here's one web site I found awhile ago...

Granny, I'm glad to hear that you are extending your stay in Dubrovnik. Are you flying out of there?

I think the secret to getting good a deal at the Villa Argentina is to walk in. That could be a gamble of course but I think that is how Grasshopper and we got our good deals. It is a beautiful hotel and we were lucky to get it at that rate. I think you would like staying outside the Ploce gate for a change.

You may be interested in staying in an apartment for five days or a week. We were offered one across from the Villa Argentina (an uphill walk to get there) but we weren't going to be there long enough to warrent doing so.

If you would like to email me I can give you a contact and also some restaurant recommendations.

my address is pj2592 at bellsouth dot net.

I am excited for you and your adventure. I can hardly wait to return.

Penny, I have emailed you separately. So glad to hear that you have all enjoyed Croatia, having returned twice recently after 25 years its still the best. Slovenia is pretty good too. Happy travels.

I've only just discivered your postings about Croatia and am very interested.

My question is about crossing into Montenegro. If I hire a car in Dubrovnik do you think can I take it to Kotor/Budva for a few days and return?

tremend

I don't know the answer to this but I would think that a Western European or North American could go in to Montenegro without a problem.

It seems that our snag was an ethnic issue between Croatia and Montenegro/Serbia.

Perhaps Ben Haines knows the answer.

I hope you have a terrific time!

Hi
Ahhh croatia is right. We spent about 10 days there at the end of September into October. The weather was just about perfect except for one rainy day. We flew into Ljubilana, rented a car and drove into the Istria. Past Piran where we were a few years ago into Croatia. In about a bit over 2 hrs. we were in Porec. stayed a couple of days there, drove to Rovenj, which we really loved. Then drove along the coast to Trogir. It took about 7 hours on a 2 lane road but the sight of the islands and the adriatec were beautiful. In Trogir we decided we wanted to go back to Rovenj and avoid Split. We decided we only wanted small towns. Rovenj was beautiful, the boats in the harbor, the restaurants, the view. It was a 15 minute walk from the hotel. Trogir was more touristed than the Istria when we were there. Most of the tourists were Italian or British. It was disapponting that Americans don't visit there, especially Itria.
alan

I have finally put our Croatia pictures on the web. If you would like to take a look, go to:

http://homepage.mac.com/pj2592/PhotoAlbum29.html

I hope you enjoy them. There are also a few pictures of Montenegro.

Judi... my husband and I thought Proto was OUR secret. We were the only ones from our small ship to find it on our first trip to Dubrovnik. Last year on our second stop, we returned to OUR restaurant. As you say, food and wine were delicious.

More info avail at Croatian National Tourist Offfice. e mail [email protected] in NY city

Judi, Thanks for the photos. I really enjoyed them. WT

Judi, you mentioned that you took the the bus from split to Dubrovnik. I put out a thread somewhere asking about the travel time from Dubrovnik to Hvar, but I can't find it. I think viamichelin charted it at about 3 hrs. Is this realistic? I may want to rent a car and drive to Hvar so I don't have to spend so much time on a ferry.

WT -
the bus from Dubrovnik to Split takes about 4 hours. Slow ferry from Split to Hvar took about 2 1/2 hours.

Thanks Mark! I am going crazy. I can't fly into Dubrovnik and out of Split on the days I need even when I reverse the trip flying into Dubrovnik. I am trying to finalize my plans. Now I am thinking of flying into Dubrovnik and just hiring a driver to take us to Hvar so it will be faster and I don't have to rent a car. This leaves me 4 nights (3 full days) in Dubrovnik and only 2 in Hvar. I am thinking if I left Dubrovnik and got to Hvar around noon, I would still have 1/2 day, the next full day, and then I would have to fly out of Split at 4 to Rome. No decent flights the next day! Would I be able to catch a cat to Split around noon so I would still have at least the morning in Hvar? Do you think it is worth it? I don't like to move around that much, but I think 7 nights in Dubrovnik is too much and I really want to see Hvar. I also thought if I decided not to go to Hvar I could spend a couple of days on Mijet. Has anyone been there? Then I could fly in and out of Dubrovnik on the days I need. I welcome all advice. I can't believe I am having so much trouble with this, but my husband won't take the ferry (saw some report on discovery about a sinking one) and alitalia and croatiaaiarlines don't fly direct flight every day to and from Rome. If I drive into Croatia, I have to give up Santorini and I am not willing. thanks again, WT

Well I just found a flight from Split to Prague to Rome that I could take. Can I get a catamaran from Hvar to Split to catch an 11 am flight or do I need to stay in Split overnight?

I tried to catcch an early afternoon fast ferry but tickets were already sold out so i had to catch the slow ferry at around 3 (I think). I'm sure there's a morning ferry but have no idea the time. I would suggest calling the Croatian Tourist Board in NYC - I'll post the number later tonight.