Hello!

My boyfriend and I are going to Croatia August 28-Sept 14th...I would LOVE to have some input and suggestions on our itinerary.

Aug. 29th Arrive in ZAGREB (1 night)
Aug 30th fly to Pula - bus to ROVINJ to stay (3 nights)
Sept 2 bus back to Pula FLY to SPLIT (3 nights)
Sept 5 Bus to MOSTAR (1 Night)
Sept 6 Bus to DUBROVNIK (3 nights)
Sept. 9th Ferry to KORCULA (2 nights)
Sept 11 Ferry to HVAR (2 nights)
Sept 13th Ferry to Split (1)
Sept 14th Fly Home

Some of my main questions would be
1) Split? or Trogir?

2) Hotel Suggestions? For any or all Cities...I've checked with Hotel Adriatica in Dubrovnik and they don't have space for the days we're there...any other places around that level?

3) Restaurants not to be missed?

4) Sites not to be missed?

Thanks!

My only suggestions will be to rent a car instead of taking a bus, therefore you will have more flexiblity. Pick up the car in Pula...not much there anyways. Rovinj is beautiful.....why fly to Pula, and not drive?

Hands down on Split vs Trogir. I'd spent 3 nights in HVAR and just do island hoping from there.

I agree that driving would be preferable. Croatia is simple to navigate and drive in. However, I disagree with Split - I much, much prefer Trogir. It does depend on what you like, though. Trogir can be really busy but is a gem to wander early in the morning or evenings. There is more to do in Split as it is bigger but Trogir has far more charm.

I would highly recommend you do some of the Istrian hilltowns (with a car) while staying at Rovinj. There are some really gorgeous ones such as Hum, Bale, Groznjan, Gracisce, Draguc, etc. In my opinion Plitvice Lakes is an absolute must but that could perhaps be saved for another trip as you have a good mix already.

I vote for a car too, we were there last year for over 46 days around the same time of year. Driving is great and the road between split and Dubrovnik is gorgeous, pristine and special.

Look to our website for more info if you want:

http://www.soultravelers3.com

Our fav places were Plitvice park, Rovinj, Dubrovnik and Bay of Kotor.

Trogir is much nicer than Split which is much more industrial and built up. Still do not miss the Roman palace in Split and the harbor is cool.

Hvar and Korcula are great ( try to time it so you see the famous sword fight in Korcula).We stayed at a great place there, look on our website as I forgot its name.

Time Dubrovnik away from cruise boats and they swamp the poor old town. Don't miss the wall and know you can use one pass all day.


Have a great time! Most of the crowds will be gone, so you can enjoy it more.

yep get a car
but just make sure they go through the stuff with you - our manual was all in croatian !

we loved trogir and id rather stay there a night and just visit split
split by night is lovely along the harbour which comes alive

you will love dubrovnik
go find nikos patisserie which is parallel to the main drag in the old town - great pastries

we stayed in an apartment in the old town and loved it
just rocked up to the tourist bureau in the old town and asked for one and scored the place owned by the pizza man - miro and his wife ivanka
only 300 kunas a night
go see montenegro while youre at it
the kotor fjord is great

hello

my bad! I totally agree ...Trogir definitely has more character. I agree while staying in Rovinj, you can visit the hilltowns,....one of my favorite one is Motovun, I ended up staying there for 3 nights and it was fantastic,....great meals ...truffles...yum yum

Thanks for all the advice so far!

Okay, it's settled... Trojir it is then....

We aren't too keen on renting a car...but if everyone says it's pretty easy...I'll run it by my boyfriend again.

I did a few hours of research last night looking into hotels. I think I found a nice one in Trojir for about 93Euro a night. Breakfast & tax included. Is that expensive for the time of year?

Should we maybe not book places and just show up? Will it be cheaper?

Maybe just book our first night in Zagreb when we arrive so there are no problems.

I just don't want to end up in a crappy place or have difficulty finding somewhere to stay. We don't need anything fancy. We like the family run/ b&b's or apartment idea...clean, central are our main goals...view/balcony are a bonus.

Don't be in a hurry to rent a car. Wait and see what others say here. I am surprised to see people suggesting that. My husband and I traveled easily throughout Croatia by bus and ferry (and plane from Dubrovnik to Zagreb). It's inexpensive, comfortable, and a great way to travel with Croatians. One of our best ferry/bus rides was from Split to Hvar to Korcula to Dubrovnik. I also vote for Trogir (although you'll have to take the ferry to Split, I believe).

The reason I love renting a car in Croatia is for Istria in particular. If I were just doing the southern part of the country chances are I may not bother. However, for Istria, there are many places not serviced by public transportation. But then we are off-the-beaten-path people and find renting a car a great way to escape the crowds.

We loved Trogir but we also loved the ruins of Diocletian's Palace in Split.
A local bus runs between Trogir and Split.

That sounds extremely expensive to me and no you will not have any trouble booking things while there.

At least we had no problems last year and there were rooms available everywhere.

that definitely sounds extremely expensive. We didn't book any hotels in Croatia, except for the last day we were there, and that was in Zagreb. We stayed in rooms in family houses, and the most that we paid was 50 euros, and the least that we paid was 35 euros....and that was during high season.

Renting the car was the way to go in Istria, and even down south, except for the islands, where we didn't have a rental car at all. Some of these islands specially in HVAR area or Dubrovnik area, cars are not allowed...such as Lopud which is a really tiny island of Dubrovnik, and it's wonderful. Driving in Croatia was extremely easy, and even if you get lost, there is a enchanted place you will end up in. People are so friendly....everytime we rented a room from a family, they greted us with a shot of their homemade schnapps/rikeja..!

have fun! I wish I could do it all over again....Here are some pics from our trip to Croatia....www.carlossylvia.shutterfly.com

Thanks so much for all the advice...so maybe we'll just book a hotel for when we arrive Zagreb so we're not messing around. And play the rest by ear....Aug.28th-Sept 14th - most people out there think we should be fine for just showing up and not booking accommodation?

Any suggestions for hotel/b&b in Zagreb? I know it's a big city so probably a hotel. How close is the airport to the main part of the city? We'd obviously like to see the city - we'll probably arrive in the afternoon and be able to go out sight-see a bit and have dinner. Then head back to the airport the next morning for Pula.

Thanks

Driving is quite safe and easy in Croatia. We are four ladies 63 to 77 and we did it last summer. If you are stayin in Rovinj, check out this house. We stayed there for two wonderful days, www.ulice-antunovic.com. The couple who have it are Austrian, and their children were wonderful.

I stayed at the Sheraton Zagreb...I used SPG points.....The airport wasn't that far....it was only 25 minutes away from downtown.

Thanks everyone!
Any ideas on Hotels to stay in Zagreb out near the airport?
I figure that way when we land we can check in - then go explore for the afternoon-evening - and then be close to the airport to leave for Pula the next morning.