Paige

Can anyone recommend a good guidebook? I'm starting to think about a trip next year. I definitely want to go to Split and Dubrovnik. Does anyone know if trains connect the 2? Or regular boat service? If so, how long does it take? <BR>Also, how is Zagreb? Should we go there as well? Thanks!

Croatia

Paige, just topped a recent thread on Zagreb for you. <BR> <BR>Also, I'm going to Eastern Europe next year and bought the Lonely Planet guide. Not a big fan of LP and usually wouldn't buy one, but this one is more instructive than others for the region. There is detailed transportation information to and from Split, Dubrovnik and Zagreb. <BR> <BR>The new Travelocity magazine has an article on Dubrovnik with some info on Split. It's somewhat informative and adds some facts about taking the ferry to Italy from Croatia. <BR> <BR>Hope this helps!

Ben Haines

Fodors <BR> <BR>I agree: Lonely Planet East Europe is ok. But that's a lot of pages irrelevant to you. So you might look at web sites now, print out parts you like, and buy a locally edited guide book after you get there, at the biggest bookshop in Zagreb or Split. <BR> <BR>Websites that I know of are <BR>http://www.htz.hr/home.htm <BR>http://www.geocities.com/dubrovnik_croatia/ <BR>http://dubrovnik.laus.hr/index.shtml <BR>http://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/ <BR> <BR>The reference library of a city near you may have the Thomas Cook European Timetable. There you'll see that both day and night trains run between Zagreb and Split (Leave Zagreb 0545 or 2240, arrive Split 1314 or 0741, but that between Split and Dubrovnik you take either a boat for eight hours or a bus along the coast road for four. Jadrolinja run the boat service, and have a web site. <BR> <BR>Zagreb is well worth attention, especially the old parts up on the two hills, around Parliament and around the Cathedral. <BR> <BR>Please write if I can help further. <BR> <BR>Ben Haines, London <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR>

Robert

There is a Lonely Planet Croatia edition. Check out the Amazon.com. <BR> <BR>Also you can go see Jadrolinija site about ferry timetables and prices. It is a main ferry company in Croatia. They have lines from Italy to Croatia and also local lines, including Split-Dubrovnik. <BR>http://www.tel.hr/jadrolinija/ <BR> <BR>There isn't a train between Split and Dubrovnik, but Zagreb is connected with Split with several trains a day, especially in the summer. <BR>Croatian railways site: <BR>http://www.tel.hr/hz/ <BR>Timetable is under construction, but who knows, maybe until next summer they will do something about it. <BR> <BR>Your other options for traveling between Split and Dubrovnik would be bus or plain. <BR> <BR>Bus terminal Zagreb: <BR>http://www.akz.hr/ <BR>Zagreb airport: <BR>http://www.tel.hr/zagreb-airport/ <BR>Split airport: <BR>http://www.split-airport.tel.hr/split-airport/ <BR>Croatia airlines: <BR>http://www.croatiaairlines.hr/index-en.html <BR> <BR>Good site about Zagreb: <BR>http://www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr/ <BR> <BR>When in South Dalmatia you may think about visiting island Hvar. It is really beautiful. <BR>www.hvar.hr <BR> <BR>Also don't miss beautiful islands from the Elafiti group, near Dubrovnik. You can take a day trip from Dubrovnik to Elafiti. Beautiful nature and sandy beaches. Heaven on earth! <BR>Also Mljet island near Dubrovnik is very interesting. Part of it is declared a National Park. Stunning nature! <BR> <BR>Hope this helps. <BR>

Paige

Thanks, everyone! I just ordered the Lonely Planet and Rough Guides to Croatia, so that should keep me busy for a while. Thanks for all the info!

Julia

In the essence of time I would fly from Zagreb to Dubrovnik. Its only a 50 minute flight and then you can work your way up the coast towards Split. The flight was not too expensive either. <BR> <BR>If you go to Split definitely visit the islands of Brac and Hvar. Hvar was the highlight of our trip there. <BR> <BR>I hear the months of June and Sept. are nice.