travellingsoon

We are picking a car up from Split. Would like to go to Mostar, Medjugore, Trogir, Plitvice LAkes, then up to Sloveniathen to Istrian peninsula, leaving car at Rijeka.
Would love some help with broad idea of driving route.
Other option would be to do a day trip from Dubrovnik to Mostar.
thanks
travellingsoon ( August !)
CAn anyone help with a

spaarne

Probably a good idea to get a map.

wky123

Are you going to Dubrovnik?
If you're, best to start from Dubrovnik and work yourself up the coast. We did a similar driving tour a couple of years ago (except we ended up skipping Slovenia for more time in Hvar)

From Dubrovnik, go to Mostar, Split, Plitvice, Slovenia and then Istria. Don't do day trip to Mostar from Dubrovnik. I think the drive is more than 3 hours one way and it's kind of on the way from Dubrovnik to Split. And I suggest you to spend a night in Mostar as the town is really beautiful at night.

You can check out our Croatia photo album at our travel site. Click on travel album and look for the Europe/Croatia section.

www.twocountriesayear.com

julia_t

I have driven from Split to Mostar, Sarajevo, Dubrovnik, and all by different routes on different occasions. I've posted about the driving and roads on these two trip reports...

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...llet-holes.cfm

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...t-explores.cfm

I didn't drive on this next visit, but it may give you some more ideas...

http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...eturn-trip.cfm

On my off-the-beaten-track report, there are several posts from vttraveler - do click on her name as she has also travelled by car through Bosnia and Herzegovina and Croatia, also on minor mountain roads, and has much helpful and useful advice.

One thing I would say, get a good map, look at routes and times on www.viamichelin.com and bear very much in mind that there is a very good reason why why might look like a more direct route is not used as such. Some of those little squiggly white roads on the map are truly terrifying! Keep to the main roads and the driving is easy. Also, go to www.theaa.co.uk and check the rules for each country you'll be passing through. They do vary, and do pay attention to the rules to avoid being pulled over and fined at the roadside.

I've not driven in Slovenia or north of Split, but if I can offer any further help, just ask.

Vttraveler

Here is the link to my trip report from last fall kindly referenced by julia_t
http://www.fodors.com/community/euro...tober-2010.cfm

The descriptions of the two routes we took between Sarajevo and the Dalmatian coast are in Days 3 and 6

I strongly second julia_t's caution about the "little squiggly white roads on the map."

travellingsoon

HI,
Thank you so much. I have now moved from just thinking about Mostar, to "hardly can wait to be there" due to your trip reports.
Will book Hotel Anri, whose owner has confirmed that there is a bus from Mostar to Kocula at 13.30. This was the bit of information I was lacking.
NOw, I need to decide to either cut Dubrovnik back to three days instead of four, in order to:
At 5.3pm bus to Medjegorje , stay overnight.Bus from there to Mostar approx. 3pm. ovenight , sightseeing until 1pm next day, bus to Korcula, where I have accomodation booked already.
Is this time in Medjugorje worth missing another day in Dubrovnik?
Would love this further piece of advice.
travellingsoon

julia_t

How important spending time in Medjugorje is to you depends on your faith and how much you want to visit this place of pilgrimage. In fact, Rick Steves writes 'unless you are a pilgrim skip Medjugorje as it's an experience wasted on non-believers'.

I considered visiting, but when I drove close on a hot May afternoon and saw the wall-to-wall buses and cars, and the roads crammed with people, I turned away and drove on. For me personally it would be Dubrovnik every time!

However, if you are now travelling by bus rather than the rental car you mention in your original post, your options will be more limited.

But staying overnight in Medjugorje might be a pleasant experience, just like Mostar when the day visitors have left.

I'm glad you found my description of Mostar inspiring, thank you.

Vttraveler

I agree with julia_t's assessment of Medjugorje. It is probably an important and meaningful stop for pilgrims but not for casual toursists. I can only think it is less crowded and easier to visit if you stay overnight. It is packed with tour buses during the day.

travellingsoon

HI,
I will read more on the pilgrimage site.
After we visit Mostar, we have two nights on Kokula, three nights on Hvar, then pick up car in Split. We have the next 11 days to explore Trogir,then Plitvice, wind our way up through Slovenia ,then Istrian peninsula, dropping car off at Rijeka.
My original question was about whether to visit Mostar from Duvrovnik or from Split, or whether to bother at all.
You have helped so much re Mostar and Medjugoje, it is all becoming very real now.
Any more hints on the rest of the journey, would be very much appreciated.
regards

Mimar

Tou don't need/want a car for Trogir. You can take the bus from Split to Trogir, maybe spend a night, then pick up your car -- back in Split or at the Split Airport, which is closer to Trogir, if you don't mind the airport surcharge.

Will your rental car company allow you to take the car out of Croatia? And note you need to buy a vignette (a toll sticker) to drive on Slovenian motorways or the Ljubljana ringroad. You can buy these at gas stations.

travellingsoon

HI.
Good advice, I have changed the car rental pick up to after we visit Trogir. It seems you have saved us a lot of stress over parking! Also, I wouldn't have known about the vignette.
Again, thanks to all who have helped me plan.
travellingsoon