Croatia - 2 weeks (Dalmatia+Istria)
 

Hello All,
I am at initial stages of planning Croatia trip for roughly 13-14 days in early Sept.
Now, I wish to cover both Dalmatia and Istria and going by various posts and some feedback (on other forums) clubbing both in this duration is not easy. I will be totally dependent on pubic transport. As per my rough plan...travelling from Zagreb towards Split/Dubrovnik is not an issue, The problem I see is between either Split/Zadar to Istria(Rovinj/Rijeka ) which would involve changes and very long journey.
Would you suggest I go back to Zagreb (after Dubrovnik/Split etc ) and visit Istria from there. Does'nt make much sense but I could see Zagreb -Rovinj connections and so thought of this..

I also read the ferry would start again between Split - Rijeka/Istria...will that be a simpler option then.. and how long would that take..

I so want to visit both the regions..any suggestion to simplify the route complications would be helpful !

Many thanks !

Yeah, getting between Istria, Zagreb, and then back to the Dalmatian coast involves a big detour by bus. You can use sites like buscroatia.com and Rome2Rio.com to try to find the optimal routing by bus and see if you think it's worth all of the extra time.

There are also affordable flights on Croatia Airlines between Zagreb and Pula and between Pula and Zadar if that works better than the ferry - probably better than the long bus rides though a bit more expensive.

I agree that you will be challenged to fit both areas in, although it isn't impossible. rome2rio.com should give you a good start, and the <i>Rough Guide</i> generally does a great job of outlining transportation options.

Do you already have your flights? You might want to consider flying into or out of Dubrovnik rather than Zagreb (probably with a stop somewhere, but at least it would get you to a more convenient location without having to manage an actual stop in between). And a flight between regions, say Split to Pula -- might be your best option if you are intent upon seeing these 2 regions on this particular trip.

Another consideration: IME, Istria is a bit more difficult to see by public transportation than other parts of Croatia. (Not impossible -- just more challenging.) So, as an out-of-the-box thought, you might consider skipping Istria on this trip -- plenty to see and enjoy (by public transportation) from Dubrovnik through Zadar. Just a thought....

Enjoy!

Thankyou so much Andrew & kja for your inputs.

I have been checking the bus routes on the sites but nothing convenient for Istria. Perhaps a flight to Pula from DBV or Split can be the only convenient option.
If at all I manage to get to Istria, I was considering to hire a cab Or get an organised tour for the hill towns.

My other plan(B),which is not yet concrete, was visiting Italy and so perhaps including Istria from Venice could be an option. In that case will have to consider Dalmatia some other time.

No,I have'nt booked flight tickets yet..so if it comes to only Dalmatia, will include this with some other Schengen zone..Still weighing out the options.

Once again thankyou both !

Fly into Venice ant take from there either a direct bus to Pula (Istria) or a ferry/catamaran to Rovinj, Porec, or Pula. Go then by bus to Rijeka - Zadar - Sibenik (Krka Falls Park) - Split.
Alternative:
Pula - bus - Brestova ferry - bus - Mali Losinj - ferry - Zadar.
Split - Dubrovnik:
either catamaran Split - Hvar - Korcula - Dubrovnik
or ferry Split - Vela Luka (Korcula Island) - bus Korcula town - Dubrovnik (or catamaran Korcula town - Mljet Island - Dubrovnik).
Low cost flights Dubrovnik - Venice: www.volotea.com

Hi neckervd - This is exactly what I am working on now..I am breaking the Croatia trip into 2...Planning to cover a bit of Italy with Venice and from there to Rovinj/Pula (Istria) and come bk to Venice for return flight.

Will plan Dalmatia on some other trip.
Guess this is much easier with logistics.

Will come back with specific queries once my plan firms up..

Many thanks.

If you haven't booked your flights yet, look for "open jaw" options -- into one city, out of another. Doing that is rarely more expensive than flying into and out of the same city, and saves you from backtracking.