Maximizing Relaxation, Minimizing Hassles
 

My partner and I leave in 2 weeks for Ireland, Italy and Croatia. I've got Ireland sorted out as I used to live there. However I need logistical help for our time in Italy and Croatia. Our first stop in Italy is Venice. Three days later I was planning on taking a ferry from Venice to Croatia. Croatia is a quick jaunt (we are just going for the waterfalls) and then we will be coming back to Italy. My main question is: does it make the most sense to go from Dubrovnik to Bari (via ferry) and then from Bari>Naples and then onto Almalfi Coast which is HIGH on our list AND then head back North because we'd like to spend time in Florence. OR does it make sense to come back to Venice and head South from there? The biggest challenge is getting from Croatia back to Italy in the time frame we want using the ferry system. Does anyone recommend the ferry from Venice to Croatia but then the train from Croatia back to Italy? The train scheduling seemed cumbersome getting from Croatia to Italy. Any recommendations for a route that make the most sense time and money wise is appreciated. I checked flights and it just doesn't make sense when you can't get a direct flight out of Dubrovnik into Italy.

Define quick jaunt. How long do you have for Croatia and what else are you planning to see there? Surely you aren't going through all this for just a day in Plitvice (or Krka)? That wouldn't go well with your hassle-minimizing mantra at all.

Regarding the logistics - a ferry from Venice to Croatia, seeing the waterfalls (again - Plitvice? Krka?) and then leaving Croatia from Dubrovnik or taking the train back - from where? This all seems very vague to me. If you haven't yet, I strongly recommend you look into every individual leg of this journey through Croatia and figure out how you are going to get around there - getting from the ferry ports in Istria to the waterfalls and then to Dubrovnik or whichever city you were planning on catching the train to Italy will be more difficult than you might think, especially if you are short on time. Croatia is deceptively long, the distances along the coast are large and train services are very limited, leaving you to rely on buses, which are good but cannot cover long distances quickly.

I am confused as well. If you just want to go to the waterfalls why are you going to Dubrovnik?

There are direct flights from Split to Rome this time of year. Split is closer to the waterfalls than Dubrovnik is.

We were planning on arriving in Croatia on Sept 8th and leaving no later than Sept 11th.

I'll definitely look into flights from Split to Rome (thanks!). Leaving from Dubrovnik was so we could ferry over to Bari and then head to Naples/Almalfi from there.

As I've feared, that is very rushed. With just two full days, skip Croatia, it's just too much hassle. Whichever option you choose, none will get you close to Plitvice, so you'll end up spending more time on the bus than sightseeing.

Ahhhh skipping Croatia is not the solution. I'll add a day and include a flight.

I can't imagine including Croatia's waterfalls if your goal is to minimize hassles, but if skipping it is not an option, consider rialtogrl's excellent advice -- fly into and out of Split, not Dubrovnik.

I'd also check flights from Zadar. As far as I know, there is a once daily ferry from Venice to Istria, leaving late afternoon. I assume you'll hire a car in Croatia - if not it's a lengthy journey by bus from Istria to Plitvice or Krka (you don't say which waterfalls). But like others have said, it's an awfully long way for such a short time and certainly sounds like a hassle.

One can, I believe, join a tour for the Plitvice Lakes from Split, and one can get to and from the Krka National Park by public transportation from Split. As dreamon notes, public transportation from elsewhere would likely be more complicated.

After Zadar, which has pretty poor flight connections to Italy, the closest city to Plitvice is actually Zagreb. I would look into flying there instead. Halving the bus transfer time makes quite the difference on such a short trip, or you could do Zagreb - Plitvice - Split. I shudder just thinking about spending five hours on a bus twice in two days...

In any case, I recommend spending the preceding night in Plitvice and then having an early start at the park the next morning. Joining a tour is another option, but I would avoid it in your instance. You'll be there on the first weekend in September, when Plitvice will most likely be absolutely mobbed and an organised day tour will get you there right during the most crowded times.

How much time do you have allocated for Italy? Have you booked your accommodation on the Amalfi Coast? If not, you may be hard pressed to find something at this point.

Delighted to report that our quick jaunt to Croatia worked beautifully. Aside from a 2 hour bus delay out of Venice it all fell in place very nicely.
Bussed from Venice to Zagreb. Stayed at the best hotel in Zagreb walking distance to the bus station (Livris Hotel- highly highly recommend this beautiful hotel with incredible staff!!!!!!). Got a bus to Plitvice Lakes ( busy yes but if walk the trails less taken you encounter only a small amount of people)the following day and spent 7 amazing hours there. Stayed one night near Plitvice at a BnB called Helena's B&B, nice place with a lovely host that delivered us to the bus stop the next morning. Took a bus from Plitvice area to Split. Spent the day wandering around Split and then took the overnight boat into Anacona. Booked the Snav Ferry- clean comfortable but tiny cabins.
And viola, back in Italy after a lovely rest to continue our Italian journey!

Thanks, Skye. I am thinking of making a similar trip with longer stays next year. I threw this thread into my folder for later perusal.

Thanks for reporting back, Skyebird -- glad you enjoyed your visit!