Best Places in Croatia/Slovenia
Apr 4th, 2017, 11:10 AM
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Best Places in Croatia/Slovenia
Which coastal towns are the best in Dalmatia? According to the beach, things to do, food, architecture.... What is the best hilltop town in Istria? Just looking for the type of hidden gem places that you love so I can start planning my trip! For Slovenia are there any places that we can't miss in terms of hidden gems like adorable villages/castles? Also any ideas on the best way to travel, like is a car better, we will have a group of four travelling between Croatia and Slovenia.
Apr 4th, 2017, 05:08 PM
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Do you have a guidebook? If not, I recommend starting with the Rick Steves Croatia/Slovenia book. The book was indispensable on my first trips to Croatia and Slovenia. It's full of practical, sometimes subjective advice - but it also covers mostly the highlights and leaves some places out. If you will be visiting for more than a couple of weeks, you might want an additional, more extensive guidebook that covers the two countries more in-depth.
There aren't a lot of "hidden gems" left especially on the Dalmatian coast which is very touristy now, even moreso during summer. Towns like Zadar, Trogir, Split and Dubrovnik are very popular for a reason. Unless you have a lot of time, I'd probably start with those and add more stops in between as you have time. Grožnjan was my favorite hill town in Istra - but it's a lot of people's favorite town. Some of the "hidden" towns that aren't as popular that I visited also weren't as worthwhile to me.
Renting a car makes the most practical sense for a group of four, but know that if you rent the car in one country and drop in another, there will be a drop-off fee, sometimes a big drop-off fee. It could save you several hundred euros to rent two separate cars, one in each country, and get between Slovenia and Croatia by bus, train, or shuttle service. (Trains connect Ljubljana with Zagreb and with Rijeka; buses connect coastal towns like Koper and Piran with Croatian Istria.) But depending on your schedule and your budget, it could make sense just to pay the big drop-off fee in exchange for the convenience of having one car most of the time.
I'd try not to have a car in Dubrovnik while you are there, unless you want to do day trips with it. It's a pain and an expense to park a car near the old town of Dubrovnik, which is also a great place to stay (inside or walk-able from just outside one of the town gates). Taking a car to the islands by ferry can also be more complicated but is doable with more planning.
There aren't a lot of "hidden gems" left especially on the Dalmatian coast which is very touristy now, even moreso during summer. Towns like Zadar, Trogir, Split and Dubrovnik are very popular for a reason. Unless you have a lot of time, I'd probably start with those and add more stops in between as you have time. Grožnjan was my favorite hill town in Istra - but it's a lot of people's favorite town. Some of the "hidden" towns that aren't as popular that I visited also weren't as worthwhile to me.
Renting a car makes the most practical sense for a group of four, but know that if you rent the car in one country and drop in another, there will be a drop-off fee, sometimes a big drop-off fee. It could save you several hundred euros to rent two separate cars, one in each country, and get between Slovenia and Croatia by bus, train, or shuttle service. (Trains connect Ljubljana with Zagreb and with Rijeka; buses connect coastal towns like Koper and Piran with Croatian Istria.) But depending on your schedule and your budget, it could make sense just to pay the big drop-off fee in exchange for the convenience of having one car most of the time.
I'd try not to have a car in Dubrovnik while you are there, unless you want to do day trips with it. It's a pain and an expense to park a car near the old town of Dubrovnik, which is also a great place to stay (inside or walk-able from just outside one of the town gates). Taking a car to the islands by ferry can also be more complicated but is doable with more planning.
Apr 4th, 2017, 08:03 PM
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Well, it has been a few years since we were in Croatia, but one place has got to still be a little "hidden" gem is the Buza bar in Dubrovnik. Great place on the cliffs to have a drink and watch the view, if you can find it and find a table.
The other place we liked was in Omis. We took the bus from Split to Dubrovnik, and on impulse got off when the bus stopped in Omis, just down the coast from Split. We crossed the river Cetina and it looked interesting, and the bus far was so cheap we didn't hesitate. We walked, dragging our bags, to the river and asked at a boat place if there were any cruises up the river. They said "yes" but the cruise boat had just left. Instead they offered us the option of a young chap in an open outboard motor boat. We left our bags with him and the young guy took us on a fantastic ride up the Cetina. The water was so clear you could literally see the fish swimming along the bottom.
We stopped at a restaurant on the bank of the river called (I think) Kastil Slanika, where they were roasting great hunks of meat over open fires, and one ate at open air picnic tables. It was lovely. I'm sure it is only about a ten minute drive from Omis if you have a car, but a couple or hours of chugging along in an open boat does sharpen the appitite.
After lunch we drifted down the river toward Omis. Most of the drifting was because we touched bottom with the prop of the outboard and the sheer pin went. Between the young chap and I we eventually fashioned a new sheer pin out of a loose nail in the boat, and finished a truly great adventure under our own power.
I'm sure the town and the river may have changed by now, but the most delightful things I recall about Croatia were those spontaneous adventures, and the incredibly nice people.
The other place we liked was in Omis. We took the bus from Split to Dubrovnik, and on impulse got off when the bus stopped in Omis, just down the coast from Split. We crossed the river Cetina and it looked interesting, and the bus far was so cheap we didn't hesitate. We walked, dragging our bags, to the river and asked at a boat place if there were any cruises up the river. They said "yes" but the cruise boat had just left. Instead they offered us the option of a young chap in an open outboard motor boat. We left our bags with him and the young guy took us on a fantastic ride up the Cetina. The water was so clear you could literally see the fish swimming along the bottom.
We stopped at a restaurant on the bank of the river called (I think) Kastil Slanika, where they were roasting great hunks of meat over open fires, and one ate at open air picnic tables. It was lovely. I'm sure it is only about a ten minute drive from Omis if you have a car, but a couple or hours of chugging along in an open boat does sharpen the appitite.
After lunch we drifted down the river toward Omis. Most of the drifting was because we touched bottom with the prop of the outboard and the sheer pin went. Between the young chap and I we eventually fashioned a new sheer pin out of a loose nail in the boat, and finished a truly great adventure under our own power.
I'm sure the town and the river may have changed by now, but the most delightful things I recall about Croatia were those spontaneous adventures, and the incredibly nice people.
Apr 4th, 2017, 08:03 PM
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I also recommend a guidebook, but <B><U>not</B></U> Rick Steves' -- his guidebook to Croatia and Slovenia is the <B><U>only</B></U> one of more than 100 guidebooks I've used in planning trips that I found so inadequate and superficial as to be not worth the purchase price. Instead, I'd recommend ANYTHING else! FWIW, of the more than half-dozen I used when planning my time in the area, I found the Rough Guide far-and-away the best.
As Andrew said, finding a place that is both worth your time and "hidden" is extremely unlikely. Finding places that are absolutely delightful and well worth your time, even if already on the tourist trail, is easy. That said, NONE of us can say would you would enjoy the most -- you need to at least consult some guidebooks at your local library.
It also really depends on how much time you have and your preferred pace of travel. For example, 2 weeks is not sufficient, IMO, for a leisurely visit to the area, but with 2 weeks, you could enjoy a more focused visit to any one of several areas.
I disagree with the generalization that a rental car will make most sense -- it can be useful for Istria and a few other places, but also has various disadvantages and can be a downright PITA in the cities. Buses in Croatia are easy and convenient. What will work for your group will depend on what you ultimately decide to see and do.
Good luck!
As Andrew said, finding a place that is both worth your time and "hidden" is extremely unlikely. Finding places that are absolutely delightful and well worth your time, even if already on the tourist trail, is easy. That said, NONE of us can say would you would enjoy the most -- you need to at least consult some guidebooks at your local library.
It also really depends on how much time you have and your preferred pace of travel. For example, 2 weeks is not sufficient, IMO, for a leisurely visit to the area, but with 2 weeks, you could enjoy a more focused visit to any one of several areas.
I disagree with the generalization that a rental car will make most sense -- it can be useful for Istria and a few other places, but also has various disadvantages and can be a downright PITA in the cities. Buses in Croatia are easy and convenient. What will work for your group will depend on what you ultimately decide to see and do.
Good luck!
Apr 4th, 2017, 08:39 PM
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Sorry -- I meant to give you directions: When walking within Dubrovnik's walls, you will come to a point where there is a hole in the wall and a small sign saying "cold drinks." Go through the wall. Try to find a table. Be careful and enjoy!
http://www.dubrovnik.com/discover/re...e-in-the-wallq
And there is a 2nd Buza Bar, too, one closer to the small boat harbor. I still prefer the first.
http://www.dubrovnik.com/discover/re...e-in-the-wallq
And there is a 2nd Buza Bar, too, one closer to the small boat harbor. I still prefer the first.
Apr 4th, 2017, 09:14 PM
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I say, ignore the self-appointed guidebook experts and just evaluate the different books for yourself. Find a good local bookstore and page through a few different books.
As I said, the Rick Steves Croatia/Slovenia book was indispensable for me especially on my first trips, and I've used his books in every country in Europe that he covers. Someone advising me not to use his book ahead of time would have been giving me terrible advice. I like the fact that he's subjective and gives you an opinion on places (even if I disagree with him - but at least I know where he's coming from), whereas books like the Rough Guide and Lonely Planet make everywhere sound great. Maybe Rick Steves's style is for you; maybe it isn't. Don't let anyone try to force his or her own travel style on you.
I always suggest people to visit the Buza Bar in Dubrovnik - great place to view a sunset (if there's no where to sit, you can at least stand up by the entrance if you get there right at sunset), but as I understand it closes off season.
As I said, the Rick Steves Croatia/Slovenia book was indispensable for me especially on my first trips, and I've used his books in every country in Europe that he covers. Someone advising me not to use his book ahead of time would have been giving me terrible advice. I like the fact that he's subjective and gives you an opinion on places (even if I disagree with him - but at least I know where he's coming from), whereas books like the Rough Guide and Lonely Planet make everywhere sound great. Maybe Rick Steves's style is for you; maybe it isn't. Don't let anyone try to force his or her own travel style on you.
I always suggest people to visit the Buza Bar in Dubrovnik - great place to view a sunset (if there's no where to sit, you can at least stand up by the entrance if you get there right at sunset), but as I understand it closes off season.
Apr 4th, 2017, 09:46 PM
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I agree that evaluating the different guidebooks for yourself is a great idea. 
To paraphrase, "Someone advising me ... to use [RS's] book ahead of time would have been giving me terrible advice." ;-)
I'm sure you realize that Fodor's is a forum where people with differing opinions can express opinions. Viva la difference!
To paraphrase, "Someone advising me ... to use [RS's] book ahead of time would have been giving me terrible advice." ;-)
I'm sure you realize that Fodor's is a forum where people with differing opinions can express opinions. Viva la difference!
Apr 4th, 2017, 10:46 PM
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@ andrew: We have different opinions about guidebooks -- ones we’ve each offered many times before. I stated my opinion and the basis for it; I don’t claim to be a “guidebook expert.” You stated your opinion, and your basis for it. I don’t believe that you have claimed to be a “guidebook expert,” so unless I missed a claim that you made about yourself, maybe we can agree to let OPs take our comments into consideration and make their own decisions?
Apr 7th, 2017, 03:17 AM
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I have to say, my favourite place at the moment is Brac Island, easy to get to from Split, a quick ferry ride, and if you have a car you can get pretty off the beaten track and explore. Korcula Island also is still authentic, Croatia is busy during August but the islands still stay relatively ok compared to other countries as they are not big major resorts, they are just small places where people live. It depends when you go too because out of peak season you can have places to yourself.
Apr 12th, 2017, 10:04 AM
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Definitely a bunch to take into consideration! Thanks for the tips about the cars, bars and islands. I think I have found that like you said there is not many "hidden places". About the guidebooks I will rely on not one, but many in order to get the best info possible. Thanks so much, now I need to plan. About tourists, I believe we will be going late spring to avoid the summer crowds. Truly useful information though! Nothing can beat experience.
