I am going to Croatia in June and have got very good flights.

Arrive in Dubrovnik at 19.45 and have accommodation at the Hotel Hvka (booked through Venere so I can change) for 5 nights.

I intend doing day trips from Dubrovnik to Mostar (I would love to also visit Sarajevo but I think that is too much as a day trip - advice?) an on another day Montenegro. I understand from reading other reports that these can be done by bus from Dubronvik.

I have another 5 days before my flight from Zadar to Dublin (flight leaves Zadar at 21.05pm) and would like to spend it on the coast relaxing and perhapes visiting an island. Would Makarska be a good base or would you suggest somewhere better?

Thaky you

Helen

Zadar is a great place to stay. During our last trip to Croatia, we stayed there for 3 days. Other places are better known, but we think it's a great town that has everything. We also visited Makarska, and it's OK, but I don't think it's nearly as interesting as Zadar.

Please check out our web pages on 2 of our trips to Croatia.

http://www.travel.stv77.com/croatia/slovenia.htm (2006)
http://www.travel.stv77.com/croatia/croatia.htm (2003)

we had a look at markarska - compared to the beaches at home it wasnt special but that depends on what you want
the beach at brela was rocky/stoney - not my idea of relaxing but i guess im used to fine sand

the coastline is pretty with the mountains coming down close to the coast- really spectacular

as for zadar
dont know that id spend three days there - we only stopped for lunch and there didnt seem to be much to see of the old town but then we didnt explore much more than the harbour

if you have time - go to an island
i know people who love korcula
my pick would be hvar - but thats only cos i havent been to korcula or mjlet

If it were me I'd take a look at the ferry schedules between Dubrovnik-Korcula-Hvar and see what worked out with the times and your dates. Maybe spend one night on Korcula and 1 or 2 on Hvar. Across to Split - which you can see plenty of in half a day unless you are a huge fan of Roman ruins and relics. Then on to Trogir for another night before heading up to Zadar.

And there is Plitvice - another must-see. I'm not sure how you'd get there from Split and back to Zadar if you aren't driving, and you probably would have to give up a night on one of the islands if you want to go to Plitvice.

If you have spent time in Dubrovnik, seen Kotor and Budva, then you probably wouldn't necessarily need to spend much more time in another walled old town like Korcula. Trogir is different though and I would recommend staying there.

But that's still a lot of moving around if you want to relax, so maybe just Hvar - the lavender will be in bloom in June - followed by a quick trip to Split and/or Trogir and on to Zadar which I cannot comment about as I've not got that far up the coast yet!

sssteve... wonderful pictures and trip report!

Thank you all for your replies

Having read what you have said and also sssteve's excellent report, I've changed my plans but still need some help.

Dubrovnik - no change (5 nights with day trips to Mostar and Montenegro)

Boat to Hvar for 4 nights and stay in Hvar town. If I have read the boat connections correctly there is a fast boat from there to Split which leaves at 07.00 in the morning. Last night, stay in Split (close to the bus stop near the Port) and spend the afternoon in Trogir. Early the next morning (07.00am) take the bus to Zadar. The bus arrives about 10.45am and my flight does not leave until 21.05pm so I would have about 7 hours in Zadar and according to sssteve's link the bus station has left luggage lockers.

My one query about this is Hvar, it will be a do nothing chill out stop and I have read that it is a very lively/clubing place. I am an early to bed early to rise sort of person and really like peace and quiet to read for a few days and recharge my batteries. Those of you who have been to Hvar town can I find this? As I am travelling by public transport I need to be in an area where I am close to the boats and bus stop.

Thanks
Helen

Hvar is as quiet as you want it to be. There are clubs and parties, but nobody will force you to join in.
It's a fine place to chill out.