Need Itinerary Help Please
May 27th, 2007 | 10:50 AM
#1
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Need Itinerary Help Please
Hi Fodorite’s,
We’ve done our homework, read the guidebooks and spent endless hours on the Fodor’s travel boards and really need some help with our itinerary. My husband and I are in our early 60’s and well traveled, usually on our own. We will be flying from Budapest to Split and our flight arrives at 10:50 a.m. Since we’ll have been traveling prior to this we will not be jet lagging. Please critique the following itinerary. Any and all suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.
Tues. Sept 18 – arrive Split –Ferry to Hvar at 2:30 p.m. arrive Stari Grad at 4:15 p.m.
First questions:
Is anyone aware of an earlier sailing to Hvar – preferably by Catamaran directly to Hvar?
If the only way to get there is to arrive at Stari Grad is there always a bus that meets the ferry so we can get from to Hvar?
How much does the bus cost?
Would we be better off making an overnight reservation for one night in Hvar or can we just find a place w/a private bath once we arrive?
Wed. Sept 19 - Depart from Hvar at 18:15. Arrive Korcula at 19:45 Overnight Korcula
Should we make advance hotel reservation?
Thurs. Sept 20 Korcula - Has anyone seen the performance of the Moreska. (Sword Dance.) What did you think of it? I read that it is performed on Thursday evenings at 21:00 but not sure if it will on going this late in the season
Fri. Sept 21 - A morning bus to Dubrovnik via Orebec. Overnight Dubrovnik
Sat. Sept 22 – Dubrovnik
Sun. Sept 23 – Dubrovnik – possibly a day trip to Montenegro
Mon. Sept 24 - Dubrovnik
Tue. Sept. 25 – Early morning Bus to Mostar – overnight Mostar
Wed .Sept. 26 – Bus Mostar to Split. Overnight in Split
Thurs Sept 27 – Finish any sightseeing in Split, p.u. rental car in the early afternoon,
possibly drive to Trogir, and then drive to Plitvice – overnight Plitvice
Question: This late in the season do we need to make a reservation at Plitvice at the Jezero or can we just wing it? Also would you stay at the Jezero or would you suggest another place?
Fri. Sept 28 – Plitvice
Okay – now we keep looking at the maps and are not sure how to do this part of our trip and whether the time we have allotted is right. We want to see Hum, Roc, Groznjan, Motovun, Buzet , Oprtalj have lunch in Livide, see Pula, Rovinj, and Porec. Tentatively:
Sat. Sept. 29 – Plitvice to Pula – sightseeing on the way.
Sun. Sept. 30 – Pula to Vodjnan to Rovinj
Mon. Oct. 1 – Rovinj
Tues. Oct. 2 – Driving to Hum, Roc, Groznjan, Motovun, Buzet , Oprtalj planning so that
we have lunch in Livide. Where should we stay this night?
Wed. Oct 3 – Novigrad, Piran, Slovenia and continue on to Bovec and Kranjska Gora.
Thurs Oct. 4 – Bovan, Kranjska Gora – Julian Alps – overnight in Kranjska Gora or
Lake Bled?
Fri. Oct 5 - Lake Bled
Sat. Oct 6 – Ljubljana, Kumrovec, Veliki Tabor (overnight?)
Sun. Oct 7 - Krapina, Trakoscan, Varazdin –
Question – Will we be able to do all this and get to Zagreb this evening or - Overnight Varazdin?
Mon. Oct. 8 – Zagreb – Drop car
Tues. Oct. 9 – fly home
We’ve done our homework, read the guidebooks and spent endless hours on the Fodor’s travel boards and really need some help with our itinerary. My husband and I are in our early 60’s and well traveled, usually on our own. We will be flying from Budapest to Split and our flight arrives at 10:50 a.m. Since we’ll have been traveling prior to this we will not be jet lagging. Please critique the following itinerary. Any and all suggestions would be gratefully appreciated.
Tues. Sept 18 – arrive Split –Ferry to Hvar at 2:30 p.m. arrive Stari Grad at 4:15 p.m.
First questions:
Is anyone aware of an earlier sailing to Hvar – preferably by Catamaran directly to Hvar?
If the only way to get there is to arrive at Stari Grad is there always a bus that meets the ferry so we can get from to Hvar?
How much does the bus cost?
Would we be better off making an overnight reservation for one night in Hvar or can we just find a place w/a private bath once we arrive?
Wed. Sept 19 - Depart from Hvar at 18:15. Arrive Korcula at 19:45 Overnight Korcula
Should we make advance hotel reservation?
Thurs. Sept 20 Korcula - Has anyone seen the performance of the Moreska. (Sword Dance.) What did you think of it? I read that it is performed on Thursday evenings at 21:00 but not sure if it will on going this late in the season
Fri. Sept 21 - A morning bus to Dubrovnik via Orebec. Overnight Dubrovnik
Sat. Sept 22 – Dubrovnik
Sun. Sept 23 – Dubrovnik – possibly a day trip to Montenegro
Mon. Sept 24 - Dubrovnik
Tue. Sept. 25 – Early morning Bus to Mostar – overnight Mostar
Wed .Sept. 26 – Bus Mostar to Split. Overnight in Split
Thurs Sept 27 – Finish any sightseeing in Split, p.u. rental car in the early afternoon,
possibly drive to Trogir, and then drive to Plitvice – overnight Plitvice
Question: This late in the season do we need to make a reservation at Plitvice at the Jezero or can we just wing it? Also would you stay at the Jezero or would you suggest another place?
Fri. Sept 28 – Plitvice
Okay – now we keep looking at the maps and are not sure how to do this part of our trip and whether the time we have allotted is right. We want to see Hum, Roc, Groznjan, Motovun, Buzet , Oprtalj have lunch in Livide, see Pula, Rovinj, and Porec. Tentatively:
Sat. Sept. 29 – Plitvice to Pula – sightseeing on the way.
Sun. Sept. 30 – Pula to Vodjnan to Rovinj
Mon. Oct. 1 – Rovinj
Tues. Oct. 2 – Driving to Hum, Roc, Groznjan, Motovun, Buzet , Oprtalj planning so that
we have lunch in Livide. Where should we stay this night?
Wed. Oct 3 – Novigrad, Piran, Slovenia and continue on to Bovec and Kranjska Gora.
Thurs Oct. 4 – Bovan, Kranjska Gora – Julian Alps – overnight in Kranjska Gora or
Lake Bled?
Fri. Oct 5 - Lake Bled
Sat. Oct 6 – Ljubljana, Kumrovec, Veliki Tabor (overnight?)
Sun. Oct 7 - Krapina, Trakoscan, Varazdin –
Question – Will we be able to do all this and get to Zagreb this evening or - Overnight Varazdin?
Mon. Oct. 8 – Zagreb – Drop car
Tues. Oct. 9 – fly home
May 27th, 2007 | 06:07 PM
#3
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 74,969
Likes: 50
One reason you haven't received any help is while your post is VERY detailed -- your title is VERY vague. "Need Itinerary Help Please" could be asking anything about anywhere in europe.
I'd try reposting w/ a better title . . . . .
I'd try reposting w/ a better title . . . . .
May 27th, 2007 | 10:44 PM
#5
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 0
SKISKI:
Try not to post twice with the same question. It's cunfusing and not helpful.
Regarding your questions, in late September there shouldn't be a problem finding accomodations just about anywhere. Regarding Hvar, I don't see that you will be staying there at all. I highly recommend staying there because it's a beautiful place.
In general, I think you're trying to cram too much into the time you have. Most of your stays are onenighters. You'll spend a lot of time in transit. Try to find a base for 2 or 3 nights to enjoy an area. I think you can cut out Mostar.
In Istria, use Rovinh or Porec or Piran as a base for 2-3 nights and visit the other places in the area.
Please check out my web pages on 2 trips we made to Croatia ansd Slovenia. Here are the URL's. Maybe they can help you in your planning.
http://www.travel.stv77.com/croatia/slovenia.htm
http://www.travel.stv77.com/croatia/croatia.htm
Try not to post twice with the same question. It's cunfusing and not helpful.
Regarding your questions, in late September there shouldn't be a problem finding accomodations just about anywhere. Regarding Hvar, I don't see that you will be staying there at all. I highly recommend staying there because it's a beautiful place.
In general, I think you're trying to cram too much into the time you have. Most of your stays are onenighters. You'll spend a lot of time in transit. Try to find a base for 2 or 3 nights to enjoy an area. I think you can cut out Mostar.
In Istria, use Rovinh or Porec or Piran as a base for 2-3 nights and visit the other places in the area.
Please check out my web pages on 2 trips we made to Croatia ansd Slovenia. Here are the URL's. Maybe they can help you in your planning.
http://www.travel.stv77.com/croatia/slovenia.htm
http://www.travel.stv77.com/croatia/croatia.htm
May 28th, 2007 | 12:33 AM
#6
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
1)There is an early ferry to Hvar, starting from about 7-730am. Could be Stari Grad, can't remember. But, yes, i've heard from others there is a bus that waits to take you to Stari Grad, if the ferry takes you to Hvar.
2)As long as you arrive at a reasonable hour (before 5pm?), there are locals at the bus stop and ferry terminal waiting to rent you a sobe (private room). You really have the upper hand in bargaining for prices. This means, you do not have to book in advance in Korcula and Hvar.
3)If you're pressed for time, maybe cut out a day in Dubrovnik. I was a bit bored there to be honest. And maybe choose Mostar OR Montenegro. I've been to Mostar. The famous bridge there overlooking the river is beautiful. The signs of war are still very evident and incredibly sobering. Wouldn't overnight there though, just b/c not much there. However, travelling back to dubrovnik might be tiring in 1 day.
4)Plitvice may be cold at that time of year, so bring light layers. Cold meaning about 60 degrees or so. There's a nice restaurant by the lake entrance, but definitely BRING snacks to have a nice lunch/picnic on the benches along the trails...and water of course.
The end bit of your trip does seem a bit rushed. Ljubljana and Bled area and Zagreb are great cities to walk around and relax. Maybe you can return car in Ljubljana so you don't have to worry about it and get train to Zagreb. Cheap and fast.
Hope this helps.
2)As long as you arrive at a reasonable hour (before 5pm?), there are locals at the bus stop and ferry terminal waiting to rent you a sobe (private room). You really have the upper hand in bargaining for prices. This means, you do not have to book in advance in Korcula and Hvar.
3)If you're pressed for time, maybe cut out a day in Dubrovnik. I was a bit bored there to be honest. And maybe choose Mostar OR Montenegro. I've been to Mostar. The famous bridge there overlooking the river is beautiful. The signs of war are still very evident and incredibly sobering. Wouldn't overnight there though, just b/c not much there. However, travelling back to dubrovnik might be tiring in 1 day.
4)Plitvice may be cold at that time of year, so bring light layers. Cold meaning about 60 degrees or so. There's a nice restaurant by the lake entrance, but definitely BRING snacks to have a nice lunch/picnic on the benches along the trails...and water of course.
The end bit of your trip does seem a bit rushed. Ljubljana and Bled area and Zagreb are great cities to walk around and relax. Maybe you can return car in Ljubljana so you don't have to worry about it and get train to Zagreb. Cheap and fast.
Hope this helps.
May 28th, 2007 | 12:40 AM
#7
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
Regarding Lake Bled:
If you are going to go out to the island in the center and are up for a nice paddle, rent a row boat and paddle yourself out, instead of waiting for the boat that all the other tourists take. It was about 2100 tolar/hr, which i think was about $10 at the time. Not sure what the euro equivalent will be, since prices may have changed since last year.
The benefit: you arrive at the island alone, and without the 10 other tourists (The tourist boat won't leave until there are enough passengers.) It's more affordable, esp if you get another couple. The trip can be done in 1hr, but 2hrs if you wish to dine on the island.
The con: you have to paddle.
Also, the toursit office rents bikes so that you can ride around the area.
If you are going to go out to the island in the center and are up for a nice paddle, rent a row boat and paddle yourself out, instead of waiting for the boat that all the other tourists take. It was about 2100 tolar/hr, which i think was about $10 at the time. Not sure what the euro equivalent will be, since prices may have changed since last year.
The benefit: you arrive at the island alone, and without the 10 other tourists (The tourist boat won't leave until there are enough passengers.) It's more affordable, esp if you get another couple. The trip can be done in 1hr, but 2hrs if you wish to dine on the island.
The con: you have to paddle.
Also, the toursit office rents bikes so that you can ride around the area.
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May 28th, 2007 | 06:31 AM
#8
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 74,969
Likes: 50
sssteve
quot;<i>Try not to post twice with the same question. It's cunfusing and not helpful.</i>"
True -- IF the title explains what the questions are. But when a title is not helpful, we usually recommend the OP try again. skiski6 now has received some useful info so all is well - but only after the thread was topped 3 times.
All threads are listed in under "Europe" so more detailed titles are important.
quot;<i>Try not to post twice with the same question. It's cunfusing and not helpful.</i>"True -- IF the title explains what the questions are. But when a title is not helpful, we usually recommend the OP try again. skiski6 now has received some useful info so all is well - but only after the thread was topped 3 times.
All threads are listed in under "Europe" so more detailed titles are important.
May 30th, 2007 | 01:12 PM
#9
Original Poster
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28
Likes: 0
Thank you all for your help. Sssteve your web pages are fantastic! Thank you for posting them.
Based on your suggestions we are going to drive from Plitvice to Rovinj for 3 nights and take day trips from there.
Mostar - We are still thinking about taking the bus from Dubrovnik to Mostar, staying the night and the next day taking a bus from Mostar to Split. We can't seem to find any information on busses from Mostar to Split so if anyone has done this or knows how to find the bus schedule we'd really appreciate your help?
Iris
Based on your suggestions we are going to drive from Plitvice to Rovinj for 3 nights and take day trips from there.
Mostar - We are still thinking about taking the bus from Dubrovnik to Mostar, staying the night and the next day taking a bus from Mostar to Split. We can't seem to find any information on busses from Mostar to Split so if anyone has done this or knows how to find the bus schedule we'd really appreciate your help?
Iris
Jun 1st, 2007 | 03:39 AM
#10
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,283
Likes: 0
Skiski,
We drove up into Bosnia almost to Mostar. The drive is depressing as the area and the people are very poor. We turned around and drove back to Croatia before we got to Mostar. Maybe Mostar is worth the ride, but I think you'll enjoy the Dalmatian coast so much that you want want to leave it.
We drove up into Bosnia almost to Mostar. The drive is depressing as the area and the people are very poor. We turned around and drove back to Croatia before we got to Mostar. Maybe Mostar is worth the ride, but I think you'll enjoy the Dalmatian coast so much that you want want to leave it.
