CROATIA
 

We arrive in Split from London on the 20th of June and are due in Dubrovnik on the 24th. We would like to take the ferries and hit some great spots for the 3 days of transit. We travel economically and are mature, hardy travelers. Any suggestions?

After 4 days is Dubrovnik, we have a week to spend before returning to London. Prague? Over to Italy? (We haven't been to Venice since the 1960s, but have traveled in Italy on precious trips). We love history, reasonable restaurants, walking, drinking locally (wine merchant), love the beer and exploring new places.
Thanks for your advice!

The obvious suggestion is to take a ferry or catamaran from Split on to Hvar and/or Korcula. In the Split area, many prefer the town of Trogir (not far from Split airport), if you wish to spend some time before heading to the islands. I visited Korcula not Hvar; I imagine Korcula would be very nice in June.

You might find daily ferry service in June between Korcula, Hvar, and Dubrovnik, but I didn't have this option in October when I visited; I took a bus instead (from Dubrovnik to Korcula - I was headed in the opposite direction).

Plitvice Lakes National Park in Croatia is outstanding (waterfalls and huge turquoise lakes full of trout) but it's closer to Zagreb than to Split, so it would probably not be practical to head there before Dubrovnik. After Dubrovnik? Just keep it in mind should you head back that way...

Visit medieval Trogir (closer to the airport than Split) and Split.Go then by ferry to either Hvar or Korcula Island (several ferries and catamarans daily). Leave either Hvar or Korcula Tuesday June 25th with the only Dubrovnik bound ferry matching somewhat your datas. As an alternative you may take the daily (usually early morning) Korcula - Dubrovnik bus.

Some ideas for the way back:

Bus Sibenik/Krka Falls - Plitvice - Zagreb - train - Bled - Villach - Lienz/Tyrol - Dolomites

Montenegro - Pec monastery - Prizren and surrounding Serbian monasteries - Pristina and fly home
resp
Prizren - bus - Tirana and then either Belleair low cost flight home or ferry to Bari and low cost flight from there

2 nights at Mljet Island - Sunday ferry to Rijeka (ar Monday) - visit of Istria and the Veneto

Thank you very much for your detailed reply. It was very helpful for both Split to Dubrovnik and post Dubrovnik!

Thank you very much for your advice. You were not the only one to suggest Trogir, instead of Split. Thanks for the detailed ideas!