Suggestions for Transportation and Itinerary - Venice, Dubrovnik, Athens
 

My partner and I are planning a two week trip to Europe next summer. I know people always advise for a longer stay, but with our jobs, this is all we have. Our idea was to fly into Venice, spend a few days in Venice and then head to Croatia, probably Dubrovnik, but we're open. After spending a few days in Croatia we'd like to head to Athens and Santorini, and eventually fly out of Athens back home to the states.

Last time we were in Europe we flew between each of the countries we visited, and I'd like to avoid that. I'm curious if anyone has traveled from Venice - Dubrovnik - Athens and how they did? Looking at the Eurorail website, it doesn't look like a train goes from Venice to Dubrovnik. Flights are pretty expensive ($300-$400), so I was trying to think if there were any other options (e.g., ferry?).

Worst case scenario, we thought we could eliminate Croatia and just do Venice and Greece.

Any suggestions? Thanks!

I don't think an overland or boat adventure is going to work well with a 2 week timeline (that's plenty of time! but plan it wisely). With 1000+ islands in Croatia, why not explore that country instead of trying to traverse several? There are few trains in Croatia. There is an overnight+ ferry from Rijeka to Dubrovnik.
Into Venice and out of Dubrovnik is probably a reasonable airfare, have you checked what into Venice and out of Athens will run you? What else was in your dream vacation plan besides those three cities--I'd start there to narrow down exactly what you want to do.

We were in Rome a few months ago, and my boyfriend loved it, so he would really like to see more of Italy. We have discussed both Florence and Venice, so we could do one or both.

I have always wanted to go to Greece, Athens and Santorini specifically, and we've both heard amazing things about Croatia.

Our goal is to have a more low-key, relaxing, meandering trip. I planned our last trip (Rome, Barcelona, Prague) with many tours and the BF would like more of a beach/relaxing at his own pace environment. So that's how I came up with those places.

I could eliminate Greece and concentrate more on the other Croatian islands. Any suggestions? Any how does one typically move between the islands? Boat? Ferry?

Looking at seat61.com, it seems that there are some ways to get to Croatia from Venice, it just takes some creative maneuvering of several train lines. Thanks!

The only way to get from Croatia to Greece is by plane.
There are no boats and no trains connecting the 2 countries.

Getting to Greece from Italy is very easy instead, flying is the cheapest way if you book in advance.

Depending on when exactly you will travel, there might be direct flights to Santorini from Italy, this way you won't have to fly via Athens twice.

While Croatia is a very nice country, nothing can substitute the Greek islands, let alone Santorini.

2 weeks for 3 countries isn't really enough time...

Well you have to research and talk more to decide what you want to do, but forget about trains. There are catamarans from Venice to several Croatia towns (in Istria, the northern part). If Croatia piques your interest, peruse the trip reports here.

Say you allot three days for Venice and the rest Greece--that would probably be enough time for Athens and an island or two, but you are still looking at flying between unless you have far more patience that I do for researching ferry lines between Italy and Greece!

On the other hand, Croatia is very low key and relaxing--and it is easy transport from Italy. I would save Greece for a time when you can do just Greece, but that is just me.
enjoy!

I have been researching a similar trip for next summer, although have decided to skip Italy and just focus on Greece and Croatia. Depending upon the date, I have seen flights from Dubrovnik to Athens for $175-250 on JAT and Croatia Airlines. JAT is not direct and the times can be prohibitive. To get from Venice to Croatia, there are ferries from Venice to Istria, or from Ancona to Hvar or Split. Here is one link for the ferries: http://www.croatiaferries.com
If you decide to eliminate Croatia, you could take the train to Bari or Brindisi, then ferry to Patra; or ferry to Corfu, in place of Santorini.

Thanks everyone for the helpful advice. Gabrielle, thanks for your info. I think we may have to do something like you're suggesting and just stick to two countries. The ferry idea does sound interesting! I'll have to explore!

Good information, gabrielle, but a ferry from Italy to Greece is very time-consuming, and most likely more expensive than a flight. First you will have to get to Bari or Brindisi, then an overnight ferry. Neither Corfu nor Patras are convenient to Athens and Santorini, would include a bus to Athens, then another ferry or flight to Santorini. All in all, a trip from Venice to Santorini using an international ferry would take at least two days, maybe more.

We recently flew Milan to Crete direct on Easyjet for a good price as a suggestion....