We are travelling to Europe in September and part of our holiday is in Slovenia and Croatia. This is our plan at the moment, but nothing is booked as yet so we are open to suggestions. Is this itinerary doable / enjoyable / not too rushed? Is there anywhere you woud spend more time / less time? We cant extend the total trip time in this area but we can alter the time we spend in places.
Day 1 - Travel from Vienna to Bled (train)
2 - Lake Bled area / Lake Bohini -
3 - Lake Bled area / Lake Bohini - travel to Ljubjana
4 - Ljubjana
5 - Ljubjana - Skcjan Caves
6 - Opatija Peninsula
7 - Opatija Peninsula / Lipice stud farm
8. Plutvice Lakes (we'll spend a day there - love photography)
9. Plutvice Lakes - Split
10. Split
11. Split - Dubrovnik via the morning ferry, arrive midday
12. Dubrovnik
13. Depart Dubrovnik via a direct flight to Zurich

Sorry, but I'm not sure what, exactly, you mean by the Opatija Peninsula. I was not favorably impressed by Opatija itself. (Actually, I hated Opatija, but enjoyed nearby Lovran.) I'm familiar with the Istrian Peninsula, but to my knowledge, Opatija is not normally considered a part of Istria.... Perhaps you can clarify what you mean?

BTW, I should add that this is not a trip I would take no matter what your answer to the question about Opatija -- I think you are trying to cover too much territory. But that's just me. You would see some wonderful things. But I don't seem to see a reference to when this trip would occur, or what your interests are, and so it's very hard to comment....

Hi - thanks for the reply and the questions. By Opitjs I was referring to the Istrian Peninsula - Rovinj and Pula.

We are travelling in September. We are interested in photography, exploring new places, walking, and good food.

We will have private transfers until we get to Split sonwont have the stress of driving.

I suppose you know that direct flights from DBV to ZRH are not daily.
Do you plan to stay just at Zurich or at other places in the area?
Some DBV - ZRH flights may cost up to 300 EUR/pax in September. But as you can afford a car with driver for Slovenia and Croatia, money will certainly not be a issue.

Yes,I know which days there are flights available and I also have seen if I book in advance the prices are ok. We’re flying home to Australia out of Zurich. The private transfers are actually very reasonable.

Thanks for the feedback.

Thanks for the additional information and clarifications. I think the time you have allocated to Istria quite ambitious, but it really depends on what you want to see and experience. You might give some thought to skipping either Istria or Dubrovnik to make a bit more time for other locations on your itinerary, or to add some of the locations in/near Split -- but I'm sure you'll find plenty to enjoy no matter what you choose.

I would eliminate Lake Bled and add a Croatian Island (Hvar or Korcula).
Then:
Day 1 - Travel from Vienna to Ljubljana (train)
2 - Ljubljana
3 - Ljubljana
4 - Rovinj
5 - Rovinj
6 - Plitvica
7 - Split
8.- Split
9. Hvar or Korcula
10. Hvar or Korcula
11. Dubrovnik
12.Dubrovnik
13.Depart Dubrovnik via a direct flight to Zurich

Thank you for this idea. Can I ask why you’d drop Bled?

I only dropped Bled as an overnight. For your itinerary I like Lake Bled as a day trip from Ljubljana. Then you are able to add an overnight(s) at a Croatian Island. You could schedule your "Private Transfer" from Ljubljana to Rovinj for the afternoon if you want to add a half day to Ljubljana (if you take two full day trips from Ljubljana).

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