I'm a middle aged female planning to travel alone to Croatia in September, arriving in Dubrovnick and moving north stopping in Split, Rijeka and Trieste before leaving from Venice to return to the states. My primary interests are history and culture so I want to stay close to the old town areas. I don't have a lot of interest in spending time at the beaches or night clubs. This will be my first solo trip and I'm looking for accommodations along the way that are safe and inexpensive. I've checked out guest houses and hostels online, but many of them charge a 2 person rate for a private room. Any suggestions on how to avoid the extra charge? Does anyone know of any monasteries that rent rooms to travelers along that route?

Also, what is the best way to travel from Trieste to Venice? Is there a train connecting the two?

In Dubrovnik you could do a lot worse than to rent from Renata, who has a house literally just inside the walls - in fact from the windows you are only just above the wall and can talk to people walking on the wall if you so wish!

I stayed there last year, two nights in the single room and two nights in the double room next door. There is a shared bathroom which is why it is so cheap.

This is the link to the single room, but if you scroll to the bottom of the page there are links to the other rooms Renata offers.

http://www.dubrovnik-area.com/Eng/de...ajID=RZ-S-0462

In Trogir near Split I stayed just 2 weeks ago in Thomir Roso's house for 20 euros. A wee bit noisy but nothing unbearable. What you'd expect in the centre of a busy little town.

http://www.trogir-online.com/roso/index.htm

Hope this helps a bit.

Both look terrific. Thank you so much!