This is the first time I have done this so please bear with me. Itinerary is as follows:
JULY 12 fly into Ljubljana and somehow get to Rijeka to meet bike tour.
JULY 13-20 bike tour around Kvarner Bay islands. Return to Rijeka where we hire a car and drive to Rovinj. Stay 5 nights there and see as much as Istria as possible.Return hire to Rijeka.
JULY 25 catch overnight ferry from Rijeka to Dubrovnik and have 7 nights there.
AUGUST 2 catch ferry to Hvar and spend 5 nights there.
AUGUST 7 catch ferry to Split and spend one night there.
AUGUST 8 fly from Split to Copenhagen where we will spend 6 days visiting our son and his Danish girlfriend's family.
AUGUST 14 fly home to Australia.
I am 53, my wife is 51 both fit and active enjoy biking and trekking, good food. My wife doesnt drink but I really enjoy a red wine or five.

I have planned this trip as well as previous trips to France/Italy in 2004 and Turkey/Greece in 2005 largely from recommendations and suggestions from Fodorites. Any suggestions on my itinerary plys any suggested must see/do would be greatly appreciated.

I think the time in Dubrovnik might be more than you need unless you use it as a base and perhaps go to montenegro or a little island hopping before going off to hvar. also you mention ferry are you referring to the car ferry or will you be without a car at some point. you might have more flexibiity without a car in some of these places and can then take a catamaran from hvar to split which will be quicker with more variety in the schedule. I am sure others will have good input on this.

Nice trip---here is a sneak preview.
http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=3882

rosexmke
Yeah I intend driving to Montenegro-Bay of Kotor looks good - and do a bit of island hopping. I will only have the car in Istria and intend hiring a car again in Dub. just for a day trip to Montenegro. I wont have a car on Hvar but I may hire scooters to get around.

Bob, thanks for the response. I saw your photos previously and they helped when deciding on the itinerary.

What about a side trip to Mostar, Bosnia from Dubrovnik? I believe the driving time is approximately two hours. It would be a lot of driving for one day, but from what I've heard, very worth it!

(I do also believe I've seen organized group excursions to Mostar leaving from Dubrovnik. Could be wrong here; would need to look into it again to be sure)

My fiance and I are taking our honeymoon to Croatia in early May. We are staying for six nights in Dubrovnik, but plan to take a day trip to Montenegro as well. We are hoping to visit Mostar on our way to Split. (We will have a car for the great majority of our 14 night trip)

I simply cannot wait to go! I'm hoping to post any interesting things we learn upon our return.

Happy Travels!
(By the way, a bike tour sounds wonderful! If you don't mind my asking, which company is it through?)

Karen

Hello! What a great itinerary!
We just returned home from 9 days in Istria, with Rovinj as a base for the entire time there. We were in Croatia last March for just under 3 weeks. It is a fabulous country with lots to see and do!

We had a fantastic apartment in Rovinj...in fact, I am uploading photos as we speak. The harbor and old city were at our feet. The apartment was wonderful, clean, two bedrooms, large living room, kitchen with all you need.
email me at: [email protected] if you'd like the contact information.

It is really easy to drive in Croatia. In March, after 5 days in Zagreb, we picked up a car and drove east to the northern border of Bosnia and went south to Croatia. We stayed near Dubrovnik for over a week with day trips into Dubrovnik, Montenegro, and so on.
We took the car back to Zagreb at the end of two weeks.

This trip, we flew into Frankfurt and spent 3 days in Germany before driving from Dachau to Istria. It was a lovely drive through the Austrian Alps and Slovenia. It was an easy 4.5 hour drive from Salzburg to Rovinj.
From Rovinj, in 9 days, we did many daytrips to the area hill towns and sea ports and Rijeka.
The area was so beautiful without many tourist, in fact, we were the only Americans we saw the entire time. It was cool some days, into the 50's, but, also in the 70's.


We stopped in at the places advertising Vin for a tour of a family winery and where we picked up their wine. We went to the market on Saturday morning and when we asked about local cheeses were given some the next day when we returned by lovely farmers who brought it in just for us.

Have a wonderful time in one of my favorite countries!

Karen
The bike company is www.globaladventureguide.com
Their picture gallery initially sold me on the tour together with the idea of spending the nights on a boat.Thanks for suggesting Mostar. I remember watching something on TV not long ago about the famous bridge in Mostar being rebuilt after the civil war and it looks a fascinating place. I look forward to your trip report.

Thanks Gigi.
I realise in July-August there will be lots of tourists but particularly with the popular hill towns I will try to get there early before the hordes arrive. Thanks for the Vin tip I will keep watch for them. I sent you an email about your Rovinj apartment. Can you send me photos as well. I hope you can also do a trip report!!!

That sounds GREAT. You're going to have a wonderful time. I don't think you're spending too much time anywhere. There are lots of day trips you can do from both Rovinj and Dubrovnik. I recommend a wine country day.

Thanks Grasshopper. A wine country day sounds pretty good to me. Where do you suggest is best.

You can take the train from Ljubljana to Rijeka:
http://www.bahn.de/international/view/en/index.shtml

It takes about 2-1/2 hours. You can't buy tickets online but we had no trouble buying tickets at the Ljubljana train station.

Cerise
I checked the train timetable and it does not suit my schedule. I understand that there is a bus service from Ljub to Rijeka. Do you know anything about that.

I think 7 nights in Dubrovnik isn't too much. We spent 10 days there last year, and really found plenty to do. If you like classical music, make sure to keep an eye out for the advertisements for concerts, in the Rector's palace, and at St Savior's church. We went to a candlelite concert there. Have a wonderful trip. We loved Croatia. pp

I will also post this message separately. It seems that I may have to fly into Zadar and hire a car to drive to Rijeka to meet my bike trip. Has anyone done that drive and if so, how is the road etc.