Potential return trip to Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
Feb 7th, 2015, 11:23 AM
#41
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rialtogrl, I'm not surprised about the steep drop-off for a car picked up in Italy and dropped in Croatia. I've always assumed I needed to pick up a car in the same country I rented it in to avoid that. Sometimes it can make sense, I guess, if the one-way drop saves you hours of doubling back to another country or something. Then it might be worth the fee.
Feb 22nd, 2015, 12:59 PM
#42
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Slight update: I have managed to move my flight forward by a week, so I'll be in Rovinj (the start of the Croatia portion) the first weekend in May. I figure a week later is better - closer to (or maybe in) "shoulder" season when more things should be open.
(So rialtogrl, I may be in Rovinj the same time as you now, probably not in Slovenia at the same time.)
I've explored the different ways to get from Ljubljana to Rovinj via public transportation. A direct bus that goes along the coast is probably easiest. I see a 4:30 direct bus in the mornings, but also a faster bus from Ljubljana-Porec and then connect to a Porec-Rovinj bus for a total of only 3:40 travel time (if I'm reading the schedules right).
I'm thinking I might rent a car in Slovenia for the first few days, drop it in Koper, and bus to Rovinj from there. Depends on the weather; if it's rainy I'll probably just take public transportation to Rovinj and pick up a car there for Croatia/BiH.
I've also decided to try to add a night in Montenegro (Kotor). So much for limiting my driving! But I realized it was "on my list" and I'll be close enough - so why not?
A revised itinerary:
<b>Ljubljana</b> - 2 nights
<b>Koper</b> - 1 night (or 3rd in Ljubljana)
<b>Rovinj</b> - 3 nights, Fri, Sat, Sun
(possible night in Zadar)
<b>Sibenik or Krka National Park</b> - 1 night
(TBD night somewhere)
<b>Kotor</b> - 1 night
(TBD night somewhere)
<b>Sarajevo</b> - 3 nights Fri, Sat, Sun
(TBD night somewhere)
<b>Banja Luka, BiH</b> - 1 night (Tue)
Return car in Zagreb, fly out Wed afternoon
I've decided the TBD nights aren't really that important to nail down ahead of time. The most important places to me are Rovinj, Krka National Park, Kotor, and Sarajevo (remember, I've already been to Zagreb, Plitvice, Split, Korcula, Dubrovnik, and Mostar on past trips). I'll try to figure out the rest as I go!
(So rialtogrl, I may be in Rovinj the same time as you now, probably not in Slovenia at the same time.)
I've explored the different ways to get from Ljubljana to Rovinj via public transportation. A direct bus that goes along the coast is probably easiest. I see a 4:30 direct bus in the mornings, but also a faster bus from Ljubljana-Porec and then connect to a Porec-Rovinj bus for a total of only 3:40 travel time (if I'm reading the schedules right).
I'm thinking I might rent a car in Slovenia for the first few days, drop it in Koper, and bus to Rovinj from there. Depends on the weather; if it's rainy I'll probably just take public transportation to Rovinj and pick up a car there for Croatia/BiH.
I've also decided to try to add a night in Montenegro (Kotor). So much for limiting my driving! But I realized it was "on my list" and I'll be close enough - so why not?
A revised itinerary:
<b>Ljubljana</b> - 2 nights
<b>Koper</b> - 1 night (or 3rd in Ljubljana)
<b>Rovinj</b> - 3 nights, Fri, Sat, Sun
(possible night in Zadar)
<b>Sibenik or Krka National Park</b> - 1 night
(TBD night somewhere)
<b>Kotor</b> - 1 night
(TBD night somewhere)
<b>Sarajevo</b> - 3 nights Fri, Sat, Sun
(TBD night somewhere)
<b>Banja Luka, BiH</b> - 1 night (Tue)
Return car in Zagreb, fly out Wed afternoon
I've decided the TBD nights aren't really that important to nail down ahead of time. The most important places to me are Rovinj, Krka National Park, Kotor, and Sarajevo (remember, I've already been to Zagreb, Plitvice, Split, Korcula, Dubrovnik, and Mostar on past trips). I'll try to figure out the rest as I go!
Feb 22nd, 2015, 02:38 PM
#44
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Cool! I decided to pick the car up in Ljubljana (I am taking a bus from Venice to Ljubljana) then drop off in Koper... I don't know if you have researched car rentals yet - I booked with Hertz.
The car rental office *appears* to be right next to the bus station in Koper.
Hope to see you in Rovinj!
The car rental office *appears* to be right next to the bus station in Koper.
Hope to see you in Rovinj!
Feb 22nd, 2015, 03:32 PM
#45
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Yes, thursdaysd, I've been to Ljubljana twice before - it's lovely.
rialtogrl, sounds like I might be doing the same thing in Slovenia just a few days after you. (My plan is to fly into VCE airport and take a DRD bus about an hour after my flight is due to arrive.)
Sixt looked slightly cheaper than Hertz for the car rental in Slovenia (for a compact car) but the office is further from the bus station. However, I may be staying over in Koper anyway the night before. The hotel I picked is between the Sixt office and the bus station. I would book Hertz if it cost only say $10 more, probably not $30 more. I may also try EconomyCarRentals but don't know exactly which company they would use until I book.
rialtogrl, sounds like I might be doing the same thing in Slovenia just a few days after you. (My plan is to fly into VCE airport and take a DRD bus about an hour after my flight is due to arrive.)
Sixt looked slightly cheaper than Hertz for the car rental in Slovenia (for a compact car) but the office is further from the bus station. However, I may be staying over in Koper anyway the night before. The hotel I picked is between the Sixt office and the bus station. I would book Hertz if it cost only say $10 more, probably not $30 more. I may also try EconomyCarRentals but don't know exactly which company they would use until I book.
Feb 22nd, 2015, 04:14 PM
#46
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I definitely want to drop the car off and go straight to the bus station so I will probably stick with Hertz. Where is your hotel in Koper? I will be spending the night there before I drop the car and will need to park at the hotel. I am aiming for the 9:30 am bus to Rovinj. I just figured this part out today, must be something in the air... 
Feb 22nd, 2015, 04:40 PM
#47
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My default hotel choice for Koper (from booking.com) was the
Hotel Vodisek: cheap, free parking, not far from the bus station (or the Sixt office). I've been to Piran before but didn't make it to Koper. I would love to check it out - expect it is not as nice as Piran and quiet at night, so maybe I'll spend only a few hours exploring Koper itself. I'd probably prefer to stay in Piran but don't think I want to deal with driving to Koper and returning the car in the morning to catch that 9:34 bus.
I still may change all of this - we'll see! I like the idea of one more night near the ocean, though.
Hotel Vodisek: cheap, free parking, not far from the bus station (or the Sixt office). I've been to Piran before but didn't make it to Koper. I would love to check it out - expect it is not as nice as Piran and quiet at night, so maybe I'll spend only a few hours exploring Koper itself. I'd probably prefer to stay in Piran but don't think I want to deal with driving to Koper and returning the car in the morning to catch that 9:34 bus.
I still may change all of this - we'll see! I like the idea of one more night near the ocean, though.
Feb 22nd, 2015, 04:59 PM
#48
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That is the hotel I bookmarked this morning. Reviews say the restaurant is not too good, but who cares about that??? Surely there are other places to eat.
I'll be doing the same, exploring Koper for an afternoon and evening. I should check and see if Sixt is open Sundays. Hertz is not so that is why I am keeping the car overnight. I'll have a look tomorrow.
I'll be doing the same, exploring Koper for an afternoon and evening. I should check and see if Sixt is open Sundays. Hertz is not so that is why I am keeping the car overnight. I'll have a look tomorrow.
Feb 22nd, 2015, 05:03 PM
#49
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Are you sure you can't drop the car at Hertz the night before? Lots of rental car places allow you to do that, with a key drop at the office. I suppose you are taking a small chance that way that they charge you for something (e.g. damage that wasn't there), but I've done that a few times without problems. You can always take pictures of the car in its spot after you have dropped it off as well.
I may wind up eating dinner in Piran - it's not that far away, and I was hoping to take a quick stroll there again, just because it was such a pretty town. I expect neither Koper nor Piran to be especially busy at that time of the year but Piran may have more evening restaurant options than Koper.
I may wind up eating dinner in Piran - it's not that far away, and I was hoping to take a quick stroll there again, just because it was such a pretty town. I expect neither Koper nor Piran to be especially busy at that time of the year but Piran may have more evening restaurant options than Koper.
Feb 26th, 2015, 10:02 AM
#51
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Can I suggest after Sarajevo you spend a night in Jajce? (pronounced Yayt-see)
I've stayed in both Travnik and Jajce (on different trips) but Travnik is little more than an hour's drive from Sarajevo though well worth a visit for the stunning fortress on the hill and the famous Plava Voda.
I would also recommend a side trip off the main road at Konjic up to the ancient village of Kraljeva Sutjeska.
You could easily see both places in one day and then arrive in Jajce late afternoon/early evening. That would give you the evening to view the waterfalls and roam around, and the following morning to see the fortress and views, and maybe the waterfall again in a different light.
With all the photo-opportunities along the road to Banja Luka from Jajce, it could take you several hours to travel between the two towns!
I've stayed in both Travnik and Jajce (on different trips) but Travnik is little more than an hour's drive from Sarajevo though well worth a visit for the stunning fortress on the hill and the famous Plava Voda.
I would also recommend a side trip off the main road at Konjic up to the ancient village of Kraljeva Sutjeska.
You could easily see both places in one day and then arrive in Jajce late afternoon/early evening. That would give you the evening to view the waterfalls and roam around, and the following morning to see the fortress and views, and maybe the waterfall again in a different light.
With all the photo-opportunities along the road to Banja Luka from Jajce, it could take you several hours to travel between the two towns!
Feb 26th, 2015, 11:44 AM
#52
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Hi Julia. Yes, Jajce is on my list for sure as a stop between Sarajevo and Banja Luka. Spending a night there makes sense. I'm just not committing to it yet. There's some chance I will arrive in Sarajevo a day later and then drive from Sarajevo to Banja Luka in one day with stops in Jajce and Travnik. I'm trying to play it by ear, but I'll note that the scenery between Jajce and Banja Luka should make for great photo ops.
I'm also hoping to be able to reverse the direction of this trip (mostly) at the last minute if, say, the weather forecast for Rovinj looks bad. Probably not, but with a car I can be more flexible. The biggest constraint is flying out of Zagreb the last day back to Amsterdam.
I'm also hoping to be able to reverse the direction of this trip (mostly) at the last minute if, say, the weather forecast for Rovinj looks bad. Probably not, but with a car I can be more flexible. The biggest constraint is flying out of Zagreb the last day back to Amsterdam.
Mar 5th, 2015, 12:23 PM
#54
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Hi Rialtogrl! I looked at the Lisjak. Sure seems cheap enough! But, they have a 7 day cancellation policy. I'm not sure I want to commit to that. I may not even rent a car in Slovenia if weather is bad, and I might skip Koper entirely or even go to Rovinj a day earlier (by bus). I'm not even sure I need to book any hotel in advance as it doesn't seem like a super busy time (though May 1, when I will be in Rovinj, is May Day and apparently a local holiday, so that might mean a long holiday weekend for the locals, even if not busy like in the summer).
What I may do is keep a few of these places on file and hope to find a vacancy the day of arrival or something when I'm sure I will really be going to Koper. At worst, I'll need to drive to the rental car return place a little earlier and take a taxi to the Koper bus station or something, if I can't find a hotel close to the bus station. I still might stay in Piran anyway and drive early back to Koper (maybe 20 minutes away) to return the car.
FYI, I booked cars in Slovenia and Croatia separately with EconomyCarRentals, a broker. The Slovenia car is with AVANTCAR Car Rental, and the Croatia car is with ORYX Rent a Car. Really cheap. AVANTCAR is only about 35 Euros for two days. Their cancellation policy is 48 hours free cancellation. I need to make sure both of these car agencies take Amex as I plan to use one for the $0 deductible car insurance...
What I may do is keep a few of these places on file and hope to find a vacancy the day of arrival or something when I'm sure I will really be going to Koper. At worst, I'll need to drive to the rental car return place a little earlier and take a taxi to the Koper bus station or something, if I can't find a hotel close to the bus station. I still might stay in Piran anyway and drive early back to Koper (maybe 20 minutes away) to return the car.
FYI, I booked cars in Slovenia and Croatia separately with EconomyCarRentals, a broker. The Slovenia car is with AVANTCAR Car Rental, and the Croatia car is with ORYX Rent a Car. Really cheap. AVANTCAR is only about 35 Euros for two days. Their cancellation policy is 48 hours free cancellation. I need to make sure both of these car agencies take Amex as I plan to use one for the $0 deductible car insurance...
Mar 5th, 2015, 12:53 PM
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hi Andrew, that makes sense about the non cancellation policy. I definitely have to be there so it works for me. I don't think you will have trouble finding a place in Koper or around there.
The Oryx office in Rovinj is in a good location, down by the hotel Park. I work with an agency in Rovinj who rents apartments - do you want me to ask them if it would be OK to show up on May 1 and book something? Rovinj seems to be more of an apartment town than a hotel town.. let me know if you want me to inquire and I can post the agency info here. They will tell me if it is a bad idea, too.
The Oryx office in Rovinj is in a good location, down by the hotel Park. I work with an agency in Rovinj who rents apartments - do you want me to ask them if it would be OK to show up on May 1 and book something? Rovinj seems to be more of an apartment town than a hotel town.. let me know if you want me to inquire and I can post the agency info here. They will tell me if it is a bad idea, too.
Mar 8th, 2015, 07:23 PM
#56
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rialtogrl and andrew,
I am thrilled with your plans and can't wait to hear about your trips!
We are keeping it pretty plain jane...taking public transportation and using a few main cities as our hubs.
Let's all hope for great spring weather!
Zivjeli!
Nancy
I am thrilled with your plans and can't wait to hear about your trips!
We are keeping it pretty plain jane...taking public transportation and using a few main cities as our hubs.
Let's all hope for great spring weather!
Zivjeli!
Nancy
Mar 8th, 2015, 08:45 PM
#57
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geenance, your trip sounds great too. Other than Sarajevo, I've been to those places and think you are in for a great time.
Indeed, let's hope for good weather! I am trying to make contingency plans for places where rain would really mess me up (e.g. Krka national park). I'm hoping for at least a few beautiful sunsets on the Adriatic, and seeing one in Zadar would be ideal (Alfred Hitchcock famously said that the sunset in Zadar was the most beautiful in the world.)
Indeed, let's hope for good weather! I am trying to make contingency plans for places where rain would really mess me up (e.g. Krka national park). I'm hoping for at least a few beautiful sunsets on the Adriatic, and seeing one in Zadar would be ideal (Alfred Hitchcock famously said that the sunset in Zadar was the most beautiful in the world.)
Mar 8th, 2015, 08:47 PM
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rialtogrl, thanks for your offer of help - sorry I missed that earlier. I think I will be OK for my bookings in Rovinj. If you come across any interesting leads or places I should know about in Rovinj, please feel free to contact me privately via my website (click on my profile) - thanks!
Mar 9th, 2015, 03:11 AM
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One of the most beautiful sunsets I have ever seen was from the balcony of a B & B south of Dubrovnik. The next night we watched the sun set from a water taxi between Dubrovnik and Cavtat--also very spectacular.
Mar 9th, 2015, 08:36 AM
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Hi Andrew... my plan has now changed and I am not going to Koper. I can get a transfer from Koper to Rovinj for 550 kuna (about eighty bucks) so I am going to pick up and drop off in Ljubljana and take the bus to Koper.
You can probably go to the tourist office in Rovinj to get a last minute room, but I can tell you I was in there in September and they were only offering the Hotel Park and it was quite expensive. Hopefully we can find some time to meet up for a drink! I'll get in touch closer to the date.
You can probably go to the tourist office in Rovinj to get a last minute room, but I can tell you I was in there in September and they were only offering the Hotel Park and it was quite expensive. Hopefully we can find some time to meet up for a drink! I'll get in touch closer to the date.
