Family trip to Croatia in September - Trying to map out an Itinerary
 

OK - think we have zeroed in on Croatia for Family trip in September. We are between jobs and could take anywhere from 10 days - 3 weeks if we want.

I am focusing on Croatia because It looks beautiful, chance to have some water and history at same time, and feel like nice chance to see it before it becomes too disneyland like.

I will be travelling with 2yr old and 5yr old. I know we're crazy but we have several weeks off and want to take a European adventure. We have traveled with 1 small one in Italy before.

- So I am thinking through itineraries. Want to not move around too much, not take too many long bus rides, ferry rides, want to avoid car if I can.

Fly to Dubrovnik- still need to call United and try to work out if FF are an option

Find some sort of apartment or ideally pensione/B&B (who wants to cook all the meals)

In Dubrovnik 1 week

Ferry to Hvar (suitable for kids??, How long is ferry - still need to decipher schedule)

1 Week in Hvar - apartment, beach, wander around Do I need a car?

From there???? Hvar to Split - but Split doesn't seem like super duper.... but seems like some nice options around there for a few more days... Then Fly Split out.

Maybe thinking of adding a stopover on wherever we connect to flight back to US - Vienna, maybe would love to get a little Rome or Paris action, but maybe that is adding too much.

So
1) General thoughts?
2) Lodging Ideas: I have cruised some apartment sites but would love any recos and really would love something more Pensione/B&B like ( I spent quite a lot of time fantasizing about suites at Villa Argentina before I realized they were 400plus Euros a night). With small kids I need something more than 1 room
3) Ability to not use a car

Really really appreciate any thoughts....

I haven't been to Croatia in over 10 years, but I have a couple of comments...please take them lightly as things have likely changed a great deal...

I think if you stay 10 days, stay in Croatia. If you stay longer (2 weeks or more), maybe then you could squeeze in Vienna or Rome. But they are not easy to get to all the way from Dubrovnik (unless you take the ferry to Italy). Personally, I think there's plenty on the Croatian coast to keep you busy for a couple of weeks.

When traveling in Croatia with my brother and parents we'd often get a "suite" - one room for them, plus an additional bedroom for us, or at least a living room with a couple of pull-out options. I'm not sure a B&B would have this type of arrangement, but lots of hotels along the coast did, and they were great for families. And not really all that expensive (but things have changed since the war ended).

Croatia is the only place my folks ever rented a car in Europe (we always preferred the trains - way easier for tourists). I am just not certain about how easy/convenient it would be to get from one place to another along the coast without a car, especially with 2 small kids. We never needed a car in a city, though.

Paris - I think that's WAY out of the way, unless you fly. We took a train from Dijon, France to Zagreb once, and that took FOREVER! I think it would be tough on the kids, but I don't know...

Just some random thoughts...good luck on planning, and I applaud your choice of going to Croatia. It really is an underrated travel destination (I personally loved Sibenik).

PS - Rick Steves has a nice Croatia episode - after watching it we were on the verge of flying right over there!

I recently read the article in Budget Travel about Croatia. It sounds wonderful!

I'm anxious to hear more about your travel plans. Good luck with planning!

Can you tell me what apartment sites you have looked at? My parents are planning a 30th anniversary trip and Croatia is one of the destinations they're interested in, but they would be travelling in October rather than September.

Thank you so much and happy planning!

Thanks for replies.

I don't know what sites - I haven't pursued any yet and have just been googling "Croatia Apartments" or "Hvar Apartments" etc to check out.

Another thread on this site had some good sites for information on Croatia.

We would definately not be training/bussing from anywhere else in Europe. More likely a stop-over between flights. Fly from US to Europe hub... then flight to Dubrovnik.

Keep the ideas coming!

Some research today (this damn site is SOO addicting I am neglecting work!) have me wondering if Hvar is too much a wealthy/yachting etc destination so also wondering about other ideas for family beach time.