dianefran

Hello to everyone who has been so helpful in the past. We are two couples, 60ish, who would like to go to Croatia in mid-April. The Vantage tour looks appealing but it doesn't include sights that other tours speak of like Plitvice. Lake Bled is a pre-trip option instead of being included. Has anyone done this new itinerary? Smartours has a nice itinerary but they don't have their 2008 dates out yet and we need to lock in vacation dates. Help! We could use some recommendations. We're past making all arrangements on our own and do want a nice tour at a reasonable price. Thanks for any suggestions.

mercy

Hi--We just returned today from the smarTour trip "Jewel of the Adriatic". The tour was fine, as far as my husband and I were concerned. I will post about it later--if I ever have time!!!But to comment on Vantage--the two places tht they do not include were very worth while, we thought. There were both Vantage and GCT groups in most of the hotels where we stayed. smarTours is considered less expensive but it is possible that the difference is insignificant, in the scheme of things. If you have to pay a lot for the pre-post options, which are included on another tour, that is where the costs need to be considered.

Plitvice Lakes are beautiful--but the walk around them is --well it must be experienced to understand that the attraction is the various falls. Unless you are there on a day with few tourists, it is hard to really appreciate what you are seeing. The wooden walkway is, in my opinion, somewhat dangerous and OSHA would probably never permit it in the US. People going both directions on it is sometimes rather scary. Just my opinion. Ciao. mhm

Michaellip

Mercy: How about a short Trip Report.

Thanks Mike

palette

I haven't done the new route, but I highly recommend anything Vantage does. My Croatian trip did include 2 days in Slovenia, a day trip to Venice and a one-day trip to Budva and Kotor. Krka Park which replaces Plitvice appears from its website to be just as beautiful. Plitvice was interesting, but a lot of walkway walking. I like the sound of what is now included, although I must admit that Lake Bled was like being in the Sound of Music, as was most of Slovenia. I would also recommend that you take any of the boat trips offered as options; the ride up and down the coast outside Opatija was glorious. I was so impressed with Croatia that I contemplate returning every time I get another Vantage catalog.

martina2810

Hello, dear friends!
Here's a tourist guide from Croatia and I am reading your comments on Plitvice Lakes I visited at least 30 times only this summer with various groups of tourists. It's nice to hear everybody likes them, every time I go there I look forward to it. They are never the same and they can hardly be compared to any other Croatian national park. Even though you have to walk for about 2 or 3 hours!
Welcome to Croatia next year as well!