Croatia help for August Trip
Jan 5th, 2017, 06:41 AM
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Croatia help for August Trip
Hi! We will be traveling to Croatia for the 1st time in August with our kids (ages 10,12). We will have 2 weeks and are leaning towards splitting towards our time between Split, Dubvronik and 1 island- I'm leaning towards Vis or Korkula as I hear Hvar is a bit too party-like for our family and we're looking for pure relaxation of beaches and good food for the island portion. Ideally, we would like to avoid renting a car all together. Any help with the following questions would be appreciated.
1) Which island is best for a family who loves to explore, walk a ton (we're new yorkers), good food and wine, good beaches?
2) How many nights do we need for Split and Dubrovnik (and we would love to throw in some day excursions while we're in both cities)
3) Do you recommend staying on hotels or apartments?
4) any other islands that you would recommend that would not be too far to get too, but might be a little less crowded, more off the grid?
5) what is the best travel itinerary for the 2 weeks?
Thank you so much in advance for taking the time to respond!
1) Which island is best for a family who loves to explore, walk a ton (we're new yorkers), good food and wine, good beaches?
2) How many nights do we need for Split and Dubrovnik (and we would love to throw in some day excursions while we're in both cities)
3) Do you recommend staying on hotels or apartments?
4) any other islands that you would recommend that would not be too far to get too, but might be a little less crowded, more off the grid?
5) what is the best travel itinerary for the 2 weeks?
Thank you so much in advance for taking the time to respond!
Jan 5th, 2017, 07:47 AM
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MNAMCK:
These pics of Old Yugoslavia and the newer Croatia will give you a familiarization of the country. Any specific questions, please ask.
With Split, suggest you include some time in nearby Trogir.
Doing this trip herein is best by car which we did three times even when the road system and petrol shortages were bothersome. Very good highways now.
https://goo.gl/photos/4FHGastRyFCE6tiZ7
If you decide on hotels, can highly recommend the classic old Park Hotel, walking distance from central Split...and the Villa Dubrovnik, newly redecorated situated on a cliff only ten minute walk from Old Town Dub.
Please try to make time for Plitvice National Park...most memorable. Enjoy!
These pics of Old Yugoslavia and the newer Croatia will give you a familiarization of the country. Any specific questions, please ask.
With Split, suggest you include some time in nearby Trogir.
Doing this trip herein is best by car which we did three times even when the road system and petrol shortages were bothersome. Very good highways now.
https://goo.gl/photos/4FHGastRyFCE6tiZ7
If you decide on hotels, can highly recommend the classic old Park Hotel, walking distance from central Split...and the Villa Dubrovnik, newly redecorated situated on a cliff only ten minute walk from Old Town Dub.
Please try to make time for Plitvice National Park...most memorable. Enjoy!
Jan 5th, 2017, 08:16 AM
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Jan 5th, 2017, 08:59 AM
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1. Any island would be good, though Korcula, Brac, Vis, and Hvar have the most to offer in terms of towns and restaurants.
2. It depends on how many day trips you choose, but three each would be a rough estimate.
3. I vastly prefer apartments for the privacy and being able to make my own breakfast. We still usually eat out for dinner. It is also a great value in Croatia to rent a apartment.
4. None in August I'm afraid, but you might consider Lastovo, easy to reach from Split and Korcula--but better with a car (we did it without but without kids). You could visit two island with two weeks. On the small island of Solta, you might find more Croatians and fewer tourists. Only Hvar town is party central, so look into the other towns like Stari Grad.
5. Ideally flying open-jaw: Dubrovnik-Korcula-Lastovo-Split
but there are many many options.
2. It depends on how many day trips you choose, but three each would be a rough estimate.
3. I vastly prefer apartments for the privacy and being able to make my own breakfast. We still usually eat out for dinner. It is also a great value in Croatia to rent a apartment.
4. None in August I'm afraid, but you might consider Lastovo, easy to reach from Split and Korcula--but better with a car (we did it without but without kids). You could visit two island with two weeks. On the small island of Solta, you might find more Croatians and fewer tourists. Only Hvar town is party central, so look into the other towns like Stari Grad.
5. Ideally flying open-jaw: Dubrovnik-Korcula-Lastovo-Split
but there are many many options.
Jan 5th, 2017, 11:51 AM
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With kids I would suggest an apartment over an hotel. You could spend at least 4/5 days in Dubrovnik as there are lots of day cruises you can do to Cavtat and also the Elaphiti islands. The kids will enjoy that. There is also an old style pirate ship that does cruises out of Dubrovnik. You should walk the walls but make sure you do that in the early morning as it will be very hot in August. They will also enjoy the cable way up the mountain. We had an amazing apartment with a great terrace and wonderful views of the old town and it was about a 15 minute walk into the town. A car is not necessary. Look at the Adriagate website for accommodation on one of the islands. Some of the cottages are right on the beach.(Brac and Korcula are well placed) Otherwise you could look at the Makarska Riviera (between Dubrovnik and Split) - there are lots of small beach resorts which are kid friendly with great beaches. Omis is a small town just outside Split and is also a nice place to stay with a river, a canyon and a nice beach. The kids will enjoy climbing up to the tower. Try and stay in the old town of Split - it is full of charm whereas the new part of town is nothing special. We stayed in a guesthouse right next to the Diocletian palace the first time we went and that was just perfect. Owners Direct also has a lot of Croatian accommodation.
Jan 5th, 2017, 11:56 AM
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You could also do a day trip out of Dubrovnik to Mostar. I think Viator offer a full day trip. Not sure but just Google day trips to Mostar and you will find them. Kids will enjoy watching the young men jump off the bridge. The history is also very interesting.
Jan 5th, 2017, 05:44 PM
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With two weeks, you are wise to limit yourself to these parts of delightful Croatia!
2) That really depends on your interests and preferences! As a rule-of-thumb, my sense is that about 1.5 days work for most people for Dubrovnik, plus whatever time you want for day trips. I loved Split – it is my favorite city in Croatia – and I would want a stay of at least 2 or 3 days there (not counting day trips); other people aren’t so enamored of it, and are comfortable giving it only a part of a day.
3) Your call! I prefer the ease of a hotel or B&B – and the freedom <b>from</b> making breakfast for myself. ;-) But then, I’m a solo traveler….
4) Have you considered a day or so in Mljet? Also, as yorkshire notes, there's a BIG difference between party-hearty (if beautiful) Hvar Town and the rest of Hvar Island. You might want to consider your options there before making a decision. I stayed in the town of Stari Grad, which I thoroughly enjoyed (given my particular interests), but I'm not sure it would be a great base for your family. But there are a number of hotels just outside Stari Grad, near the ferry port, that might meet your needs, and Hvar Island does have a lot to offer.
Everything else – your call!
I strongly recommend that you consult a really good guidebook for the area, perhaps the <i>Rough Guide</i>.
Also, while I think buzzcolin makes a good point about Mostar, I must admit that I am very glad I spent a night there. When I was there – May, 2009 -- it was unbearably and swelteringly hot during the day, and unpleasantly crowded, too. In contrast, it was quite pleasant after the daytrippers left and the day began to cool. JMO.
Hope this helps!
2) That really depends on your interests and preferences! As a rule-of-thumb, my sense is that about 1.5 days work for most people for Dubrovnik, plus whatever time you want for day trips. I loved Split – it is my favorite city in Croatia – and I would want a stay of at least 2 or 3 days there (not counting day trips); other people aren’t so enamored of it, and are comfortable giving it only a part of a day.
3) Your call! I prefer the ease of a hotel or B&B – and the freedom <b>from</b> making breakfast for myself. ;-) But then, I’m a solo traveler….
4) Have you considered a day or so in Mljet? Also, as yorkshire notes, there's a BIG difference between party-hearty (if beautiful) Hvar Town and the rest of Hvar Island. You might want to consider your options there before making a decision. I stayed in the town of Stari Grad, which I thoroughly enjoyed (given my particular interests), but I'm not sure it would be a great base for your family. But there are a number of hotels just outside Stari Grad, near the ferry port, that might meet your needs, and Hvar Island does have a lot to offer.
Everything else – your call!
I strongly recommend that you consult a really good guidebook for the area, perhaps the <i>Rough Guide</i>.
Also, while I think buzzcolin makes a good point about Mostar, I must admit that I am very glad I spent a night there. When I was there – May, 2009 -- it was unbearably and swelteringly hot during the day, and unpleasantly crowded, too. In contrast, it was quite pleasant after the daytrippers left and the day began to cool. JMO.
Hope this helps!
