Croatia top ten?
 

Greetings Fellow Fodorites,

There seems to be a lot of buzz in favor of Croatia on the board lately. Anyone care to share their personal "Croatia Top Ten" list?

The one thing I'm NOT looking for is the laid back beach scene. My folks own a townhouse in Florida minutes from Sanibel Island. If I want the beach life I can go there for free!

I'd really like to hear about picturesque small towns where no one speaks English, interesting vineyard regions, the Plvitece (spelling?) Park, friendly Sobe you stayed in, or things that you were really glad you took the time to see.

Right now I have the Plvitece Lakes and Diocletians Palace on my list. I'm a sucker for Roman ruins but can't convince DW to see Turkey just yet. Castles and walled cities are always a winner as well.

Thanks in advance and cheers from the turnip!

The Palace is cool. Just the place to kill a few hours while waiting for a nearby ferry or coastal bus departure.

Dubrovnik is OK, but I shudder at the thought of sharing the Stradun with fifteen emptied cruise ships this time of year.

Korcula was our favorite: nice, simple Sobe on the waterfront. Walled/castled town, so there you go. It's either charmingly peaceful or dreadfully boring, depending on your state of mind

Most everyone speaks rather fluent American, though, so you can't have everything.

For me it would be: Rovinj (staying in the old city), Pula and it's Roman Amphitheater, Motovun in the morning, the waterfalls at Plitvece, the overnight ferry ride from Rejika to Dubrovnik, walking the walls of Dubrovnik, the view from my balcony at Grand Villa Argentina (and breakfast on the terrace), the Atlas Peljesec Peninsula Wine tour, and the Atlas Montenegro tour (the historic tour), bike riding on Miljet (missed that and have to go back!). If I had time, I'd take the Atlas Mostar trip.

Catbert, I've never been a fan of precanned tours. Can you share with me what it was about these tours that made them a standout of your trip?

And don't worry, I have no plans of seeing Croatia during tourist high season. Late September, early October is more our speed. I'd hate to miss the new wine however.

the turnip

I'm not a canned tour person either. But the Atlas tours venture into places that I wouldn't go by myself. The Montenegro tour goes on some mountain roads that would be terrifying to drive on by myself. We had to stop for animals along the way. The views were amazing. The guide was excellent and the groups not so big that I didn't feel I could talk to the guide on my own if I wanted to. We had 4 stops with plenty of time to explore; in two cases, small walled cities, another time for lunch in a private home and then just getting to the old capital is something I never would have tried to do. I learned a lot from the excellent guide. Same thing had I gone to Mostar. I can't imagine my going to Bosnia alone.

The wine tour gained us entrance into places I don't think I could have gone on my own. We had lunch at a small winery, and private tastings and also got to spend time wandering on our own. The same guide led the Wine tour so by that time, I felt as if I was with a friend.

Croatia was such a new experience for me. I did go about on my own on Istria. Korcula and Hvar are very tourist friendly and smaller and easier to navigate. They felt somehow more tame and familiar than going into Montenegro or Bosnia. The two tours I took really were highlights of my trip.

Thanks, Catbert. I'm planning a solo trip to Croatia next spring, and since I won't rent a car (I fear and despise driving) and won't be there in high season, some of the places I want to visit are inconvenient by public transport. I've been thinking about some day excursions with Atlas or a similar company, but not very enthusiastically because I'm most definitely not a canned tour person. So it's encouraging to see your recommendations. About how big were the excursions--full-size coach or mini-van or what? Thanks.

They were full size buses, but they weren't jammed and they were comfortable. I was also traveling solo which made the excursions ideal. It gives you a chance to connect with other travelers for a day or a few hours. I was the only American on my tours, but there was a Canadian guy and some Irish women.

Catbert, thanks again for your helpful replies. If it's not to forward, may I ask about how much the tours cost?

That national park just in from Senj on the coast is called Plitvice and is well worth a couple of days. It is probably Croatia's most visited tourist area and has National Heritage Site listing.

"So, what is there to do in the Park? There are numerous trails on which to walk and hike, and there are also boat and shuttle bus services in order to see the Park it all its glory.

What about accommodation? It is possible to stay within the Park at one of its three hotels (which are all clustered quite closely together by Entrance 2) or at its campsite (which contains bungalows or space for 500 camping units) which is located about 7km outside of the northern entrance of the Park. There is another hotel, the Hotel Grabovac, that is also located 12km north of the Park. It's also possible to find private accommodation in a number of the towns and villages (such as Slunj) on the way to the Park."

Enjoy!

Harzer

Turnip, if you go to www.atlas.hr and click "excursions" you can find details about all the excursions available for your dates. The Montenegro tour is 51.50 euro and the Wine tour is 54. euro (it includes lunch).

Croatia is worth all the buzz, Turnip...go see for yourself. I've been traveling the former Yugoslavia (and especially Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia)occasionally since 1980..always indpendently, always driving, occasionally by water..never on tour.
By the way, the road along tha Adritaic to Montenegro (Kotor, Sveti Stefan, etc.) is certainly no horror trip. It is a well-engineered highway, and a careful driver would have no fear or danger in driving it.
Driving into Mostar and the rest of Bosnia-Herz., including the great comeback city of Sarajevo, is also no challenge to speak of. Do it, if you wish.

Don't ignore Trogir (send a full day and maybe a night there)..and don't overlook Split, if only for Diocletian's
little home. Stay at The Hotel Park..a throwback to the 30's...

Plitvice (Plit'vitchee) is a "must see" and "do"...don't even think of missing it. The smaller towns and villages in and around Plitvice are delightful as are the locals.
The islands should also be experienced by ferry and auto...Milet, Hvar, Bar, etc.
Walking the wall in Dub is also a great experience....as is staying at a place like Argentina, or my favorite, The Villa Dubrovnik.

Dining at The Captain in Dub or at the remote Konavoski Dvori south of the sirport, on a country road leading into the Bosnian hills.

Strolling the Stradun when there are no enormous crowds...don't go in summer...early spring or mid-fall are the best times.

Get up into the Istrian and drive around the perimeter of the peninsula.

Enjoy Croatia...and venture into Montenegro and Bosnia (Mostar!).

Stu T.

Our trip to Plitvicka National Park was a highlight of our trip to Croatia this past month. Skip the National Parks, dreary, overpriced hotels. We stayed 5 minutes from the park entrance #1 at Knezevic Guest House in the town of Mukinje at #57. This town is actually just a turn off the main D1 road, right by the park with no street names, just house #'s. The area is full of sobes. We paid €35 a night for 2 people. The room was new, spotless, comfortable and great private bathroom. Breakfast is an additonal €5 per person in the great breakfast room, with TV on the lower level. This is no regular sobe, but a small 11 room hotel in their home. They also have a large terrace and large yard to enjoy.

Contact information is www.knezevic.hr or [email protected]

Korcula
Adriatic Seafood
Wine
Walking city walls in Dubrovnik
Split
Veli Losenj
Beaches
Adriatic Sea- clear and blue green
Roman Colisseum in Pula
Gelato

speaking of top ten - here's a Gaurdian list of top things to do, enjoy:

http://travel.guardian.co.uk/countri...813360,00.html

Based solely on our 7-day trip to Split, Hvar, Dubrovnik, and Trogir at the end of May:

1. Slow food at Restaurant Dionis on St. Klement island off Hvar--perfect setting overlooking a vineyard, friendly staff, excellent food (plus, getting there is half the fun)

2. Drinks and atmosphere at Buza ("Cold Drinks"), an open-air bar at the edge of the city walls of Dubrovnik, overlooking the Mediterranean, at sunset (or any time!), a great reward after exploring the city

3. Hvar town (cafes, sailboats, crystal clear water, sunset-colored houses, an all-around joyful atmosphere)

4. View over Hvar town and the Pakleni islands from the fortress above Hvar

5. Exploring Diocletian's Palace in Split, including the climb to the tower

6. Walking the city walls of Dubrovnik first thing in the morning

7. Buying a bottle of good wine at the wine shop on the Stradun in Dubrovnik and drinking it on the rooftop terrace of the Stari Grad Hotel as evening falls over Dubrovnik

8. Kayaking to Lokrum island off Dubrovnik -- and we didn't even do this!! But it looked awesome.

9. The people we met, both the Croatians and our fellow tourists--especially our driver from the Peristil Hotel, and the brother-and-sister owners of the Villa Sv. Petar in Trogir

10. The knowledge that there is so much more to do and see in Croatia -- we'll be back!

Thanks for the thread. I would love to visit Croatia in the near future.

Very nice to see you liked our place!