We are planning a trip to Croatia for Sept/Oct 2007. I am trying to find the best way to get to the Istria area from Venice. Is it practical to fly into Venice, stay a couple of days, and then take a train to the Istria area? I find reference to buses. Is that a reasonable trip by bus? I had thought there might be a ferry across from the northern area of Italy, but I haven't found info on that. If this is possible, please let me know.

We are planning to be there about 14 days and we will be with another couple. I was interested in Istria, Trogir, Hvar, and Dubrovnik. We may have to fly out of Rome.

If anyone has some advice on a possible itinerary and lodging, we would greatly appreciate it. We like to stay in one location at least 3 days and we like small hotels or apartments, rather than large upscale places.

Thanks in advance for any advice, I know you hold a wealth of information.

ttt

www.hznet.hr/ENG/index.htm for trains to Split (takes forever). Trogir is not on the trainline and Hvar is on an island...

Hook up with one of the local TAs at www.trogir-online.com/eng/why.asp and let them guide you there.

Ferry from Ancona or Bari, depends on season. Google Ferry Dubrovnik.

You can catch a boat from Venice to Porec, Rovinj ( not as frequent) or Pula in Istria. The boat leaves Venice once a day at 5pm. If you want to go by train and bus, then catch the train from Venice to Trieste, it's a 2 hour trip ( great view from righthandside of train coming into Trieste) the train leaves Venice every hour. From Trieste you need to catch a bus ( the bus station is next to the Trieste trainstation) there are 2 buses a day that go to Istria, one in the morning one in the afternoon. The afternoon bus doesn't run on Sunday ( found that out the hard way)Bus Trieste to Porec is 2 hours, Rovinj 2 1/2, Pula 3hrs. There is no train to Istria from Italy, the line was taken out in the 1950s by the Yugoslavs. For places to stay in Rovinj apartments or hotels www.inforovinj.com they've got a large selection of places to chose from.

Hi - There's a direct bus service - daily except Sundays - from Venice to Pula.

It departs:

11.00 Venice Piazzale Roma
11.30 Venice Mestre

... and arrives Pula 17.30.

Operator: FILS

http://www.fils.hr/home.php/-3-0-0-2-Lines

Hope this helps ...

Steve