We are planning a trip to Croatia and perhaps Slovenia. Would appreciate any suggestions for self drive or maybe an organised tour? Also suggested itineraries for approx 10 days holiday and any suggested 3 star hotels. Thanks in advance.

We are driving to Slovania in July after going through a corner of Croatia so I'll be watching this thread, too!

I think you should stay anywhere in Istria as it is very close to Slovenia (and Italy, if you fancy a day-trip).
There are many nice little towns to stay, Porec, Rovinj, Opatija, Rabac, just to name a few....

Through Atlas (one of the biggest travel agencies in Croatia) you can book day excursions. I would strongly recommend daytrips to Brijuni National Park, Plitvice National Park, perhaps a ferry ride to one of the islands - Rab is lovely, for example,
as well exploring the medieval villages in Istria (Motovun holds a very popular film festival during the summer). Having a car in Istria is a real advantage, there is a lot to see.

There seems to be plenty of local information on these websites.

www.istra.hr

Local Tourist Boards in Istria:

Umag: www.tz-umag.hr
Brtonigla: www.tzo-brtonigla.hr
Tar-Vabriga: www.istra.com/tar-vabriga
Porec: www.to-porec.com
Funtana: www.funtana.com
Vrsar: www.istra.com/vrsar
Rovinj: www.tzgrovinj.hr
Pula: www.pulainfo.hr
Labin: www.istra.com/rabac

Hope this is of some help to you.

Photos of various places in Istria:

http://www.photocroatia.com/GALLERY/...mp;pass=public

We have been to both Istria and the Dalmatian coast and found the latter far more attractive and interesting than the former. Do a search on this board for Dubrovnik, Hvar, Korcula, Split. We loved those areas.

Thanks for the info; this will give us a base to start working from. Much appreciated.

Doing the trip in September, but 19 days. My suggestion for you:
Car rental is a must.P/U car in Ljubljana & note that you'll be paying a drop-off charge to return it in Split.
Day 1: Ljubljana (Emonec Hotel in town
center)
2: Bled (get room on lake)
3: Bled: Arrange with Domen of
spectacular 3glav adventure a
day tour(takes in all major
mtn/Soca region sites)
4: Skocjan Caves/Lipica horse farm
Sleep in Piran.(Hotel Max)
5rive to Trogir. Sleep in a room
with view of old town Trogir
6: Return car in a.m. in Split &
catamaran to Hvar. Sleep in Hvar
(Hotel Croatia or private room)
7:Hvar rent moped to tour island.
Sleep Hvar
8:Early a.m. catamaran back to
Split & bus to Dubrovnik . Sleep
in private room in Dub.
9: Dubrovnik
10: Dubrovnik & fly home

Unfortunately, your time is limited. If you had more time, I'd recommend Istria (Motovun, Rovinj, Pula),Plitvice,Krka, Korcula.

Thanks Syl, I'll have a look at your suggestions! Do you have a website for the one day tour from Bled? Thanks again everyone.

3glav-adventures.com
We're going on the Emerald River Adventure (55 euro pp for full day)

Syl--Lots of good suggestions. You seem to have a good grasp of what to see and not to see. I'm planning on spending 2 nights in Ljubljana at the Emorec, but I'd like your first hand experience comments on the city and hotel. Also, I've heard that although both Lake Bled and the caves are amazing, but that they're also quite touristy. What did you think?

Jeff,
As I said in my earlier post, I haven't as yet gone(looking forward to Sept.)However, I've researched & posted for the past 6 months on numerous forums. Rough Guide & Rick Steves are excellent sources of info as well.(Actually, Rick Steves recommends the Emonec on his website).I have also been guided by Slovenians & Croatians I've spoken to on Skype. As per Bled, the only reason I recommend it is because 3glav adventures is based there & their Emerald River Adventure tour was highly recommended on Fodors posts.It takes in the gorgeous mountain sites, including Bohinj, Soca Valley,Vrsic Pass, Kobarid, Bovec etc.As per the caves, Skocjan is a world heritage site & is difficult to reach by public transportation, therefore,not as touristy as Postojna.The tour buses don't appear to go there. Ljubljana is doable in one day. The people are vey hospitable & the food is said to be better & cheaper than in Croatia with the Austian, Hungarian & Italian influences.

Syl, guess I misunderstood. Since you spoke/wrote with such authority, I assumed this was a repeat visit. Sounds like you've done your homework.

Jeff,
How much are you paying for the Angelo D'Oro Hotel in Rovinj? Since all our bookings are reasonably priced, I need to be convinced before splurging.

Syl--My room at the Angelo d'Oro for one person is 91 euro including breakfast. They apparently misunderstood and originally quoted me the price for a double room at 78 per person. So I guess that's the answer. But it might be worth calling.

I'm considering doing half board, but I'd feel better if someone could recommend their restaurant.

Hi
We traveled to Ljubjana several years ago and spent a couple of days there. Theres enough to do. From there we went to Postojna cave, then Predjama castle. It was ok. Stayed in Piran [Pirano] for a few days. It's a beautiful old town on the Adriatic. Drove to Portoroz and were glad we didn't stay there.

About 3 yrs. ago we drove from Ljubjana to Istria in Croatia. We stayed in Porec for a couple of days then went to Rovinjfor several more. Took off for Trogir. stayed two nights and drove back. While the town was very nice, we found it very heavily touristed. Drove back to Rovinj and spent several more days in the area. I can't remember the name of the hotel in Trogir, except we didn't care for it that much. Enjoy your trip.

Aeiger, about your comment on the cave and the castle....were they both just OK, or only the castle? How much time did you allow to see them? Did you also do Lake Bled?

I'm trying to figure out what to see driving between Ljubljana and Piran. I'm not sure I can take a quick peak at Bled and see the cave/castle too. I'd also like to stop at Skofja Loka. I always try to do too much. I'd appreciate any thoughts you or anyone else has.

Jeff,
Wow! Are you actually planning the drive from Ljub to Piran in one day only? If that's the case, you'll have to make a choice between driving the mountain loop that 3glav takes you through (see their website)&, instead of returning east back to Bled,just continue westward. We love mountains, so that would be our priority. If you decide on not doing the loop drive, then drive west via the castle & take in one of the famous caves & Lipica. That's a day in itself.Tough decision. I highly recommend you email Branka, from Slovenia, I communiacted with via another travel site:
[email protected]
Let me know what she says.

I'd considered both routes, but for this trip I won't do the mountain loop. I'm really more interested in the more urban/townscape sorts of places...thus the 2 nights in Ljub and the stop in Skofja Loka. I lived in Denver for years but seldom went to the mountains. And now I live on the coast and seldom go to the beach. Go figure! I'm only trying to get a flavor for the area. I assume I'll return to a area I like and usually do.

Hi JEFF
Wanted to respond to your question. The Postojna cave was very interesting. I like to visit caves. I enjoy castles also, but while the exterior was forboding, the interior was not much to see. Please understand, I was there about 10 yrs. ago, about 2 yrs. after Slovenia became independent and am sure many sights have changed dramatically.

We never amde it to Lake Bled as we drove from Slovenia through Trieste to Vicennes and finally Venice. From Piran in slovenia, it's a fast trip to Istria in Croatia. Rovinj is a beautiful city on the water.

It would be nice to revisit however. Enjoy your trip.