Rough Croatia itinerary - comments appreciated
 

We're enroute to Venice for the last two weeks of February and then onto Croatia. I intentionally waited to plan the final 15 nights of our 3 months away to get a sense of the weather, how we were feeling about moving around, etc. So I now have a very rough itinerary - any comments are appreciated (note - following day counts don't add up)

Day 1 (for 2 or 3 nights) - we pick up a rental car in Venice and drive to Trieste area - haven't yet decided on 2 or 3 nights. We drop the rental off in Trieste and transfer to Rijeka to pick up our Croatia rental car
Day 4 - want to tour Istria - thinking of staying in Rovinj for 3 or 4 nights to see Pula and hilltowns etc
Day 7 (or so) - Split area (stay in Trogir?) - for 3 nights. Not sure if trips to Hvar, etc (or staying there) make sense at this time of year - we've been on Corsica for a few nights and the tourist areas are shut down tight
....overnight to Mostar on the way to.....
Day 10 for 5 nights - Dubrovnik - day trip to Montengro or possibly overnight (leaving our luggage in Dubrovnik).

As mentioned I have avoided travel to the islands assuming (at this stage in my research) that early March might not be the best time .... would appreciate comments on that.

At this stage in our travels we want to maximize the nights in locations - minimum 3 nights - we don't mind driving up to 90 minutes+ each way to tour.

TIA

We went to Korcula for 2 nights in mid-March a few years ago and it was empty...which was actually kinda nice but most of the restaurants were closed. The weather was gorgeous, though, and I am glad we did it.

I don't see Plitvice Lakes Park on your itinerary - that was one of the highlights of our trip...even though there was a snowstorm on our way there! Not sure if it is normal for them to have snow in March, but the park was absolutely gorgeous covered in snow and we had it all to ourselves.

Montenegro (specifically, Kotor) was an easy day trip from Dubrovnik. We had originally planned to spend two nights in Kotor, but we had trouble making a lodging reservation for that time of year, and , in the end, the day trip was great.

Sounds like a nice trip!

sessa's recommendation to visit the Plitvice lakes is worth considering, even though it would probably mean adding a one-night stop to your trip. You could see it between Istria and Split/Trogir.

Enjoy!

Besides Plitvice as a "must go" even during winter months, I warmely suggest you to see cities like Zadar and Sibenik, up north from Split. Sea orgins and Greetings to the Sun in Zadar, plus a Krka National Park near Sibenik and Sibenik's Cathedral are things you don't want to miss. Maybe if you go to Plitvice in between Istra and Split, it would be a perfect opportunity to visit both Zadar and Sibenik. You have a brand new highway system all over Croatia, so after Istria and Rijeka you just take direction Split and then you'll have tour Plitvice-Zadar-Sibenik-Split.
On the other hand, if you prefer to stay in one place for 2-3 nigths, maybe Zadar could be your best choice for a base. 90+minutes to Plitvice one day, next day you return and see Zadar, and on a 3rd day you go south to Sibenik and Split?
As for the islands, they are empty allright, but if you don't like big crowds (and it seems to me you don't, otherwise you wouldn't be coming to Venice and Croatia in February and March), then you will enjoy Korcula, Hvar, Brac, Vis specially BECAUSE they are not crowded.
But, whatever you decide, I wish you excellent stay and fun all the way. Welcome!

You're renting a car in Venice and dropping it in Trieste. Do you have specific plans for what to do in between - vs. just taking the train to Trieste directly from Venice? If not, perhaps you could add more sites from Croatia (like Plitvice Lakes - yes, another vote for it). You could do Plitvice as a very long day trip perhaps from somewhere else, but in the winter that might prove challenging; staying over a night might be more optimal (one night is probably plenty).

Thanks all for your suggestions - will post a revised plan soon.

Andrew - yes we want to spend some time in the area around Trieste so we want a car for that, plus we have a lot of luggage as we're away for 3 months and taking the train is a hassle.

New itinerary -

- 4 nights Rovinj (will definitely go to Plitvice Lakes Park)
- 3 nights Trogir - good choice? We have found a nice apartment we like there at a good price
- 6 nights Dubrovnik (day trips to Mostar and Montenegro)

Thanks!

I urge you to consider spending a night near Plitvice Lakes. It really doesn't work well as a daytrip from either Rovinj (the drive is close to 4 hours one way) or from Trogir (close to 3 hours).

Looks like your trip was delayed.

How are you getting from Trieste to Rijeka?

And another vote for a night (or two) at Plitvice. It's not a World Heritage Site for nothing. But I hope you have winter clothes and boots.

Thanks - we are taking a taxi from Trieste to Rovinj now....3 months away means a bit of luggage, and picking up our car in Rovinj now. Looking at the Plitvice mechanics now - have some winter clothes/boots as we're good Canadians! Thanks!

Plitvice Lakes was a highlight of our trip 4 years ago in May. We spent all day in the park, and early the next day as well. Somehow we missed the crowds, most of the time.... We spent the night at Bellview, which at the time needed major renovation. Just next door was the renovated Hotel Plitvice -- renovated and sporting a bright, modern, active lobby with sitting areas, bar area, breakfast/restaurant area -- all looking out at dense, verdant green trees and forest. The hotel is not about view, but instead about location!
I would stay there one night, and I would visit the park again and again.

BTW, everything we did in Croatia was a highlight. Plitvice (1 night) to Split (1 night) to Trogir (3 nights) to Hvar (3 nights) to Korcula (2 nights) to Dubrovnik (5 nights, including side trips..)

We are returning this May/June 2011. Will visit smaller Krk Park instead of Plitvice (this time!), Istria for the first time, more time in Split, and Vis and Brac instead of Hvar/Korcula this time; also Bosnia, and island trips from Dubrovnik. Croatia is stunning, the people wonderful.

Sitting on my balcony looking at Dubrovnik, sipping coffee. I could stay here all day (and night, for that matter)

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/....31dd004970b-pi

Croatia is lovely - we spent 4 days in Rovinj, then stayed in Trogir and now in Dubrovnik until early next week, then home. The bura was b-l-o-w-i-n-g for the first week or so - preventing a trip to Plitvice so we shall plan to return. It is definitely off season here - although much more is open in Dubrovnik so we can go a day without pizza!

Off to Montenegro today. Trip report to follow.

Glad you're enjoying the trip! Have you found the Buza Bar yet?

The one by the swimming area? Will be near it today but assume it's not open yet - there is also one at the North Gate?

It's a bit early for Buza to be open, especially with the winds blowing.

Buzz bar opened today! 15c here and the beer is cold!

Can't wait to read your trip report, Elizabeth. We're off to Croatia next, probably in the off-season. Will be curious to read your impressions...

NanBug - for the most part we've been WAY off season although there is a lot more open in Dubrovnik. And today we walked the ramparts virtually alone in bright blue sky....alot to be said for traveling in the off season. Trip report will follow in a couple of weeks - we are returning home next week.

Just did this time lapse video of sunset from our balcony - I could spend the whole time on our balcony

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PVgdtx7a71w

Cool video! Your balcony looks like the perfect perch.

We usually always travel in the winter, but the blue seas and the islands are tempting me to go when we can swim. But it may not be worth the trade-off for visiting without crowds and hassles. Decisions, decisions. Enjoy your time and the Buza bar!

Hi Elizabeth

could you tell me how much the taxi from Trieste to Rovinj was please? I'm considering doing this in June.