Croatia must sees
 

Hi,

As I'm planning a trip to Croatia, what are the must sees? Would very much like to hear your opinions.

Thanks.

Where are you going to be in Croatia? How long? Renting a car? When will you be there?

You've probably already done a SEARCH on this site to help you get started - right?

I think any good guide book can give you a start on planning your trip.

I have the Eyewitness book which I found useful before and during our trip to Croatia last May.

I suppose the one absolute "must-see" is Dubrovnik. Look up some of the excellent trip reports here for more information.

Have a good trip.

Byrd

IMO Plitvice National Park was a must see. Of cource Dubrovnik is a must also.

Of course I should have proofread first!!

Thanks everyone for the quick replies:
Byrd for the book tip. Will check it.Dubrovnik I will definitely visit.

Martha, read your Slovenia/Croatia trip report. Nice.

And Debs the plan was to go somewhere in Spring for 3/4 weeks. Will arrive in Zagreb and thought to make a tour from there on.Indeed searched and gained info, have already a plan in my mind, just thought to ask and see if people have some interesting suggestions that will pleasantly surprise me.How are the train services? Is that worth a try or would you prefer renting a car? Heard the train services could be better.

There isn't much of a train system, buses far more convenient.
Car advisable for Istria and area surrounding Zagreb (north east). Everywhere else well connected by bus and ferry.
Croatian Tourist Board website helpful, as well as Rough Guides.

The train doesn't go to Dubrovnik. Buses do, and boats. If you time it right, you can cruise down the Dalmatian coast among islands on a Jadrolinija boat (www.jadrolinija.hr). We rented a car specifically for Plitvice and Istria, which made sense.

I agree Dubrovnik is a must. If you have that much time, definitely try to hit one or 2 islands. We loved staying in Korcula.

Also our landlord in Dubrovnik recommended Krk National Park. He said he preferred it to Plitvice. We weren't able to check this out.

I'd highly recommend spending some time in Istria. Driving the small country roads is interesting. Rovinj is beautiful: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p61923403.html and http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p61923406.html

As is Motovun: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p61923483.html and http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p61923480.html

And Plomin: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p61923484.html

Plitvice is worth a morning walk: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p61923472.html and http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p61923474.html

Dubrovnik is a beautifully restored place, sinking, like Venice, under the weight of tourists. During the daytime, it has a feeling of Disney World, a stage set clogged with visitors pouring in each morning from the coaches and cruise ships. Evenings are a different experience entirely.

A definite second to Istria! How early in the year are you going? We were there in March/April this year and found snow in Plitvice, I don't know whether that would be the case in Krk.

The Plitice area was very quiet as were many of the places we visited then. We did not see any cruise ships, or crowds, in Dubrovnik which we've heard can be a hassle at other times of the year. At the time, we were the only ones walking the walls.

If you have time, the sea organ in Zadar was interesting, but not worth a great distance detour.

We loved the drive up the Peljesac pennisula and ferry to Korcula, where we are conviced we were the only guests at Hotel Korcula.

--Annie

If you will be "3/4 weeks" in Croatia, why not use at least a few days in Slovenia? Ljubljana (only a couple of hours from Zagreb by train) was definitely a highlight of my recent trip to the area. You can also visit Bosnia and Herzegovina (e.g. Mostar) and Montenegro very easily if you have a car.

I second the suggestion to include Slovenia. Loved Ljubljana, a delightful small city with a vibrant cafe culture and without hordes of tourists, a bit like Prague of 15 years ago.

And Lake Bled/Bohinj area for a few days of good walking: http://jmstudio.fotopic.net/p61923420.html Exquisite!

<B>CROATIA</B>

<B> Dubrovnik</B>
Walk the walls - Early before the Cruise Ship people arrive or after 2:30
Buza Bar - Get there about four and enjoy wine while looking out on to the beautiful Adriatic.

<B>Plitvice National Park </B>
Simply Stupendous - start at the lower lakes and work your way to where you catch the boat to the upper lakes

<B> Rovinj </B>
Lovely Istrian town - take a relaxing boat ride, visit nearby hill towns

<B> SLOVENIA </B>

<B>Ljubljana </B> - see julia1 above

<B> Lake Bled </B>
Take a pletna to the island
Walk around the lake and up to the castle
Eat kremna rezina - oh yeah!

<B> Vintgar Gorge</B>
About ten or 15 minute drive from Bled. Great way to spend a couple of hours. Beautiful.

<B> Postojnska Jama </B> - Cool caves about an hour from Ljubljana

<B> Predjama Castle </B> - Very near the caves

For more, here is my website with photos. Have a great time.

http://web.me.com/tomfielding1/Tom_%...e/Welcome.html

((H))