We are planning 9-12 days in Croatia/B&H in October of this year. I know the weather will be cooler and there will be fewer tourists; can anyone advise me if this should influence our choice of destination, ie is it worth going to the islands like Korcula or will they be somewhat deserted at this time of year?

Our tentative plan is to travel by bus down from Zagreb to Plitvice Lakes, on to Split, Mostar and Dubrovnik, and maybe to Kotor or Cetinje. We plan to leave on the ferry to Bari from Dubrovnik. Any suggestions of places to definitely include or omit, and any other implications of travel at this time of year, would be most appreciated!!

Korcula would be fine, thought some of the smaller, more remote/less visited islands would be too quiet imo.
9 or 12 days is a big difference, so I only advise to not move around too much.

It will be VERY quiet on the islands. Korcula is quite beautiful, but there is not a whole lot to do. Once you see the walled city and take a drive around the island you are pretty much done. One or two days is plenty.

I would absolutely hit Kotor and Perest as a day trip (even an over night.)

I've been to Dubrovnik in the first week of October for the last 3 years.

Always the weather has been bright and sunny, and fairly warm - cant't tell you the temperatures, but enough to need sunscreen to avoid burning.

It may be shoulder season but there are still cruise ships daily, and plenty of tourists in this historic city, and also in Mostar.

It wasn't that quiet on Korcula during the day, but I can imagine it would be very quiet at night. I second krgystn@s suggestion of a daytrip down to Kotor and Perast - it is simply stunning there.

It doesn't sound like you are driving and therefore you will have to take tours. Look at Elite and Atlas for these day trips, though once you get to Dubrovnik you will find other companies doing the same, and for possibly less money.

The good news is that you probably don't need room reservations this time of year. Just show up, find a place you like and negotiate on the spot.

Thanks we've decided not to hit the islands this trip - perhaps return another year in the summer. We should have a full 12 days.

Would you recommend renting a car? We don't want to drive more than 3 hours in a day, is this feasible? Really appreciate if someone can suggest approx. driving times for the following segments:

Zagreb (1 nt)
Zagreb - Plitvice (2 nts)
Plitvice - Split (2 nts)
Split - Mostar (1 nt)
Mostar - Dubrovnik (2 nts)
Dubrovnik - Cetinje (1 nt)
Cetinje - Budva (1 nt)
Budva - Kotor (1 nt)
Kotor - Dubrovnik (1 nt)
ferry to Bari

Korcula was pretty dead in mid-October in the evening when I was there last year. Restaurants were open, but it was a bit dull. Depends what your goal is in a visit, though. After the crowds of Dubrovnik, Korcula seemed peaceful in a way.

I'm not sure you really need two nights at Plitvice Lakes, unless you plan to arrive late in the evening after a fairly full day in Zagreb or something. Then you could have a full day at the park. I did it by renting a car first thing in Zagreb, driving down, seeing the park all afternoon, spending the next morning there, then driving off. I felt I had enough time to absorb it without feeling rushed.

If you wish, you can read my trip report here - I did a lot of your itinerary; I rented a car in Zagreb and dropped it in Dubrovnik:

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...009-photos.cfm