France to Croatia, and ideas while in Croatia
Oct 23rd, 2009, 12:07 AM
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France to Croatia, and ideas while in Croatia
After spending almost a month in France, we are planning to fly from Nice to Split in Croatia. There are two couples and our plans were to spend maybe 2 nights in Split, 5 or 6 nights out on one of the Islands in Croatia and then maybe return to have a couple of nights in Dubrovnik.
We would welcome suggestions on ideas for this itinerary which could be slightly flexible, we are looking for very reasonable, but comfortable accommodation and any recommendations would be great.
It will be mid to late August 2010.
Many thanks,
Dreamweaver
We would welcome suggestions on ideas for this itinerary which could be slightly flexible, we are looking for very reasonable, but comfortable accommodation and any recommendations would be great.
It will be mid to late August 2010.
Many thanks,
Dreamweaver
Oct 23rd, 2009, 12:56 AM
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Can't help you dreamweaver, but we are considering something similar at the same time next year, so I will be interested to see the suggestions you receive. We will spend some time at a friend's house in Trieste in Italy and hope to explore Croatia after that.
Oct 23rd, 2009, 07:20 AM
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Dreamweaver, I've made three trips to Croatia in the past three years and just returned in mid-October from a trip to the Dalmatian coast (including Split and Dubrovnik). Herewith a few thoughts:
First, prepare yourself for very hot weather and loads of tourists in August. It will be very humid, too.
You will want air-conditioned accommodations wherever possible. I found that even low-priced private rooms and apartments (of which there are truly scads) do have air conditioning.
I think two nights in Split is well warranted. I like the city a lot. We stayed in apartments just out of the old center, but I saw signs for apartments that looked better located and possibly more attractive than ours. I would suggest googling "split apartments" and see what you come up with. Look for 4* properties (they are rated, similarly to hotels) and make sure the location is good and they are air conditioned.
BTW, make sure to understand how payment is to be made. Some want euros cash, some want kunas, some want a bank transfer or Paypal.
Of the islands nearby, Hvar is the clear winner and accessible to Split by ferry (good old Jadrolinja and possibly others). Again, private apartments are the way to go there. Find the Hvar tourist office and ask them for recommendations (same proviso as to close-in location and air conditioning). Hvar is a dream and you will love it.
If it were I, I would consider taking the long-distance ferry from Hvar to Korcula, fairly near Dubrovnik, and then on to Dubrovnik. That would get you to Dubrovnik and also allow you to see Korcula (the second-best island, in my opinion). Look fpr private rooms within the city walls of Dubrovnik, if possible.
(The hotel industry in Croatia just isn't up to snuff; hotels tend to be very expensive (120-140+ euros for a simple accommodation vs. 40-80 for apartments) and can be huge and crumbling, remnants of the socialist era, or psuedo-swank resorts with no soul.)
I'd say the Split component, the islands and Dubrovnik would be do-able in your allotted eight nights.
Let me know if you would like further information.
First, prepare yourself for very hot weather and loads of tourists in August. It will be very humid, too.
You will want air-conditioned accommodations wherever possible. I found that even low-priced private rooms and apartments (of which there are truly scads) do have air conditioning.
I think two nights in Split is well warranted. I like the city a lot. We stayed in apartments just out of the old center, but I saw signs for apartments that looked better located and possibly more attractive than ours. I would suggest googling "split apartments" and see what you come up with. Look for 4* properties (they are rated, similarly to hotels) and make sure the location is good and they are air conditioned.
BTW, make sure to understand how payment is to be made. Some want euros cash, some want kunas, some want a bank transfer or Paypal.
Of the islands nearby, Hvar is the clear winner and accessible to Split by ferry (good old Jadrolinja and possibly others). Again, private apartments are the way to go there. Find the Hvar tourist office and ask them for recommendations (same proviso as to close-in location and air conditioning). Hvar is a dream and you will love it.
If it were I, I would consider taking the long-distance ferry from Hvar to Korcula, fairly near Dubrovnik, and then on to Dubrovnik. That would get you to Dubrovnik and also allow you to see Korcula (the second-best island, in my opinion). Look fpr private rooms within the city walls of Dubrovnik, if possible.
(The hotel industry in Croatia just isn't up to snuff; hotels tend to be very expensive (120-140+ euros for a simple accommodation vs. 40-80 for apartments) and can be huge and crumbling, remnants of the socialist era, or psuedo-swank resorts with no soul.)
I'd say the Split component, the islands and Dubrovnik would be do-able in your allotted eight nights.
Let me know if you would like further information.
Oct 23rd, 2009, 08:06 AM
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With that much time I would recommend taking a day to go to Plitvice (about a three hour drive from Split). Leave early, spend the day hiking around this beautiful national park and spend the evening in the park. Then head back to Split the following morning and start your island excursion.
Oct 26th, 2009, 12:07 AM
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This sounds like a great trip. I would suggest that you only spend one night in Split, unless you decide to take a day trip to the Plitvice Lakes (as suggested above). Then, spend 4 or 5 nights split between Hvar and Korcula. This will really depend on the ferry schedule as they do not run everyday. You can get the schedule online at www.Jadrolinija.hr. Then, I would save 2 or 3 days for Dubrovnik (my favorite city in Croatia!). I would suggest staying in private apartments whenever possible as they are cheaper than hotels and can still be really nice. A good website that I have used multiple times is www.dubrovnikapartmentsource.com.
Nov 17th, 2009, 12:18 AM
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Thanks RayKrebs for the advice about possible apartments, hadnt thought of that, so will investigate the website. Interesting your comments on Split and Dubrovnik - some people say the other way round, I guess it is personal preference.
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Nov 17th, 2009, 02:51 AM
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Yes, I suppose it is personal preference. Split is a larger city with more industry and shopping, but in my opinion, less to see as a visitor. But, it is a good base for taking day trips to Trogir and some of the local islands. Dubrovnik's Old Town is also very small, but Cavtat is nearby as well as several islands that are worth visiting. It's also a good base for taking day trips to Montenegro and Mostar. If you only plan to see Dubrovnik and it's Old Town, you can certainly do it in 1 or 2 days, but if you have the time, there is enough to keep you busy for 2 or 3 days anyway.
Nov 17th, 2009, 08:46 AM
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I found Split delightful. I had only one full day there (not counting Trogir, where I spent about 1/2 day) and did not see everything I wanted to see in Split. But as you know, people have diverse opinions on Split.
Nov 17th, 2009, 12:19 PM
#10
To dreamweaver and cathies, here are some suggestions that may help with your trips -
We have had 2 trips to Croatia, it's a great place. One trip we had 4 nights in Dubrovnik and stayed in a nice apartment in the Old Town -
http://www.dubrovnik-amoret.com/dubr...partments.html
We had to pay in cash when we arrived so bear that in mind.
On our 2nd trip we stayed in Piran, a lovely town just south of Trieste in Slovenia. Here is where we stayed, nice but fairly basic and noisy with church bells, which we liked (you don't get that at home!) - http://www.maxpiran.com/
From Piran we drove down to Rovinj which is a gorgeous seaside town - stayed at beautiful apartments
http://www.portaantica.com/
Rovinj was the highlight of the trip although we liked everywhere we went.
Then we headed across Croatia to Opatija which was completely different. It took a while but I grew to like it, especially the lovely long walking path along the sea.
Rovinj was very Italian (it was part of Italy at one point in history) where Opatija had an Austrian feel as it had once belonged to Austria. So much history in one small area.
Have a great trip.
Kay
We have had 2 trips to Croatia, it's a great place. One trip we had 4 nights in Dubrovnik and stayed in a nice apartment in the Old Town -
http://www.dubrovnik-amoret.com/dubr...partments.html
We had to pay in cash when we arrived so bear that in mind.
On our 2nd trip we stayed in Piran, a lovely town just south of Trieste in Slovenia. Here is where we stayed, nice but fairly basic and noisy with church bells, which we liked (you don't get that at home!) - http://www.maxpiran.com/
From Piran we drove down to Rovinj which is a gorgeous seaside town - stayed at beautiful apartments
http://www.portaantica.com/
Rovinj was the highlight of the trip although we liked everywhere we went.
Then we headed across Croatia to Opatija which was completely different. It took a while but I grew to like it, especially the lovely long walking path along the sea.
Rovinj was very Italian (it was part of Italy at one point in history) where Opatija had an Austrian feel as it had once belonged to Austria. So much history in one small area.
Have a great trip.
Kay
