Family of 4 with adult children. Like cultural visits, food, wine, sailing, long walks, history etc. Widely travelled. First visit to Croatia.

Unfortunately the only time the four of us can get away together is mid-August that I know is a particularly bad time to be in popular European locations like parts of Croatia.

Day 1-4 Dubrovnik. Staying in the old town inside the walls in a renovated old stone house. Day 1- reach noon, chill and walk around. Day 2- spend part of the day on a sailboat in nearby islands- Elafiti. Day 3 Montenegro private tour- understand border crossing will likely be bad at that time of the year so will leave early. Day 4- Ston and visiting wineries on the Peljesac peninsula.
Day 5- take 7am ferry to Hvar for 2 nights. I have found a great place in the old town but not yet booked- question should we stay in Hvar town proper or closer to the beach? Beach access is not important to us, but views of the water would be nice. Take a boat tour to nearby islands and caves for part of one day, also visit wineries on the island.
Day 7- take 3pm ferry to Split- 3 nights there, again apartment in the heart of the old town near Diocletians palace. Take a sailboat to Trigor one day, otherwise just check out Split.
Day 10- self drive day. Rent a car and leave early morning for the 2.5- 3 hour drive to Plitvice Lakes. Trek around the lake and same afternoon head to Zagreb (1.5 hrs) for the night.
Day 11- check out Zagreb
Day 12- leave afternoon for flight home.

Any recommendations for restaurants - we love good eating!

Look forward to your comments.
thanks

What a lovely itinerary! Many schools start mid August again so maybe you'll get lucky with the crowds.

Looks good. I did a very similar itinerary (up through Split) a few years ago and it was great. Here's my trip report (scroll down to post #56 to get to the Croatia part.

Amalfi Coast, Rome and Croatia - Images of three hot but wonderful weeks

Photos are at Zenfolio | Isabel's_View | Croatia, Bosnia, Montenegro

If it isn't too late ...

"Day 10- self drive day. Rent a car and leave early morning for the 2.5- 3 hour drive to Plitvice Lakes. Trek around the lake and same afternoon head to Zagreb (1.5 hrs) for the night.
Day 11- check out Zagreb"

You might consider an overnight near the Plitvice Lakes. A walk of 6 or 7 hours is not unusual, and it might be nicer to stay in the area.

I agree with kja about the time it may take to visit Klitvice National Park. Very crowded because everyone has to stay on the trail, and there are bottlenecks along the trails due to picture taking.

It s a tiny town so it doesn t really matter. You can walk from beaches on one one side through downtown to another side again to the beaches in 20 minutes.

If this discussion is about Hvar Town, I must respectfully disagree with ivson -- the heart of Hvar Town can be a party-hearty yacht city in the height of the season, and even a short walk can make a huge difference to one's experience. Of course, only you can decide what experience you want!

An alternate route: replace Hvar by Korcula. From the Peljesac peninsula, continue on by bus to Korcula town, spend a couple days there, then on to Split.

Korcula town is smaller and quieter than Hvar Town; it's a very relaxing place. To see:

• the Moreska, a traditional sword dance, performed on Monday and Thursday evenings;
• Marco Polo's house (maybe?);
• the layout of the old town on a peninsula;
• nearby beaches

Caveat: I haven't checked the latest bus and ferry schedules (always important to do in Croatia).

I agree with Mimar! It just depends on what you want...

ttt