Help with Croatia Itinerary
 

This is a repost - I neglected to put Croatia in the title of the previous message:
Hi. I've been reading some of the trip reports for Croatia and we're getting ready to go in April. I need some help from you experienced Fodorites out there.
Here's the situation: My wife and I have the pleasure of taking my parents, who are in their 80's and reasonably able to get around. However, they aren't prepared for a lot of stairs nor lugging bags for long distances.
We're only going to be in Croatia for about a week. Most likely we'll fly into Zagreb and work our way down through Croatia. From what I've read here, I think we'd like to stop at Plitvice Lakes. After that, I just don't know. I want to take them somewhere on the Dalmatian coast, and we'd rather stay in apartments/b&bs than hotels. None of us are terribly fond of big cities - small villages and friendly people suit us much better. I'd like to visit Vis, if only because the availability of an airstrip there probably saved my father's life while he was flying during WWII and I'd like to let him see it again.
Considering how little time we have, and the limitations we have to consider, where should we go, stay, should I rent a car (or is a car a liability)and what "must" we see?
If you have visited Croatia, I would appreciate any suggestions you are able to provide.
PS. Several trip reports suggest EconomyCarRentals.com, but they don't seem to be at that web address any longer. Any suggestions?
Thanks!

fuzzy,

We just got back from a week in Croatia in November and absolutely loved it! You are certainly going to have a wonderful time.

I used Economy car rental and everything went perfectly. After a little bit of searching, I did find the website again. Its http://www.economycarrentals.com/ and it looks like its still a working website. I was a little nervous about using them at first but they were so much cheaper than everybody else I looked at and in the end everything worked out just fine.

Driving was very, very easy; much easier than we anticipated. I would definitely suggest renting a car if you plan on visiting Plitvice and then driving down the coast because it gives you more freedom, especially since your parents are older.

We loved Dubrovnik and found it our favorite place that we visited in Croatia. The town does have lots of steps if you want to climb the city walls, but its easy enough to enjoy the town without climbing up a lot of steps if they are not able. The town is just magical and the beauty undescribable.

From Dubrovnik I can't recommend enough taking a daytrip to Montenegro. We thought we couldn't possibly see anything more beautiful than Dubrovnik but sure enough...the Bay of Kotor blew us away. Atlas travel agency has day bus tours available. If you have the time, its definitely worth doing.

If you are looking for a place to stay in Dubrovnik, I can't recommend Villa Adriatica enough! Especially since your parents will be with you, its an ideal location. Just steps outside of the Ploce gate, which is the more quieter end of Dubrovnik's old town, the views from the balcony are divine. The website is http://www.dubrovnik-online.com/villa_adriatica/. Its a small b&b, with three rooms, and the owners live nextdoor so there is lots of privacy.

If you are interested, you can click on my name to find my trip report that I'm still working on. Pictures from our trip can be viewed at www.kodakgallery.com/tracybates. They are broked up by country, with Croatia being at the top.

Good luck!!
Tracy

Fuzzy...

I was in Croatia this past September and really enjoyed visiting Plitvice and would recomend a stop there.

I also stayed on the Island of Rab for 2 days, the Island of Hvar for 4 days and Dubrovnik for 5 days.

As much as I enjoyed Rab and Hvar I have to agree with Tracy as she mentioned above,that Dubrovnik was the highlight of my time in Croatia and I also recomend visiting Montenegro (Bay of Kotor) if you will be staying in Dubrovnik, it's an easy day trip.

Croatia and especially the Dalamatian Coast is jaw-droppingly gorgeous, but that's just my humble opinion! ;)

Here is a sneak preview !

http://www.slowphotos.com/photo/show...y.php?cat=3882

Thank you all for the suggestions and encouragement! I had seen Tracy's pictures after reading parts of the excellent trip report; now I have enjoyed Bob's too. Dubrovnik and Montenegro both look like beautiful places to visit.
Do any of you have thoughts regarding my parents' somewhat limited mobility? Is Villa Adriatica reasonably accessible, or does it require athleticism to get there and back? Again, they're not handicapped, but somewhat limited as to how far they can go without resting.
Also thanks for the link to Economy Car Rentals - got it now!

fuzzy, Villa Adriatica should be pretty accessible depending on their mobility. There is a small staircase with about 5 steps leading into the apartment, and another set of maybe 3-4 stairs leading up to the bedrooms.
Its on the street leading into the old city walls, literally steps from Ploce Gate. Its a great location for those afternoons when you want to head back to the room and take a nap before dinner because its so close to everything you don't need to hop on a cab to get back.

Tracy

My 2 weeks in Croatia a few years ago was heaven! As others have said, Dubrovnik should not be missed.

I also agree that driving is a breeze and the coastline is breathtaking, for both the shear cliffs and the amazing beauty of it!

I wouldn't spend much time in Zagreb. There are much nicer places and you said you preferred small towns.

DOn't miss Plitvice Nat'l Park! it is gorgeous! They also have boats available in case your folks get tuckered out.

I loved Rab Town on Rab Island and also Trogir.

You can see my trip photos at www.windjammer.smugmug.com. The album is towards the bottom of the page.

I also have a trip report in Word. I could either email you if you want to post your email or, I <i>think</i> I posted it on this forum so you could find it by doing a search. I was there in May/June of 2004.

Croatia is one of my favorite countries!

Enjoy!

Thanks again, Tracy - Villa Adriatica sounds good and I have emailed them. Thanks also eurotraveller. I didn't find your email address, but please email your trip report to [email protected] (sorry about the address - it's also my junk mail address).

Hmmmmm. My address didn't highlight correctly. It's &quot;[email protected]&quot;

fuzzy, I meant that I posted the trip report on the forum, not my email address.

I do the same; post my junk email address for things like this.

The report will be in your inbox shortly!

Cheers!

Hi Fuzzy,
My husband and I stayed for 6 nights last June at Marc Van Bloemen's apartments. These apartments are right in the Old Town of Dubrovnik, very near the Ploce gate and the port.

We loved the location since it is close to the Farmer's market, many nice restaurants and a wonderful Jazz club called the Troubadour.

And there are only about 4-5 steps to reach the apartment.

Here is the website: http://www.karmendu.com/

Dubrovnik is beautiful! Have a great time! Laurie

Thanks again to all. Villa Adriatica didn't work out for the time we'll be there, but we'll check out the Bloemen's apartments. Eurotraveler, I got your trip reports and will digest them soon. Thanks again.