Croatia for 10/12 days

6ix

I'm thinking of taking 10-12 days in Croatia in September with my girlfriend. I did a search and looked at a few other threads on Croatia here and it seems to be a great place for a break.

I guess flying to Dubrovnik with Aer Lingus would be a good start, but what would be the best itinerary to plan over 10-12 days?

We'd like to see and do lots, but not wear ourselves out, as it is a holiday after all. I think the cheapest way to fly would be Aer Lingus in and out of Dubrovnik, so I guess the trip would have to be based around there, going to islands etc. (Or maybe there's another airport which would suit?)

I'd appreciate anyone's advice as it's a country I know little about, except its basic geography. I'm 21 by the way, that may influence your advice!

Edit: Also how much roughly one would spend over 12 days over there? I know that's a vague question, but I'm talking average spending on eating/drinking out, ferries etc... I see flights on Aer Lingus for €240 return incl taxes.

6ix

Bump... Anyone?

ixus

Check out http://www.askaboutmoney.com/showthread.php?t=32052
My itinerary is on the 2nd page i think.

Also, if you search under the name Dubrovnik you should find some stuff in this forum.

I did Split - Dubrovnik, working down through the islands, worked out perfectly for a 10 day trip. each night varied from €30-40 for 2, may be a little more expensive now at peak season. Was a little under €3 for a beer, dinner cost around €40-60 for 2 for a big meal (including wine, but you could get a pizza for less than €10. Ferry travel is pretty cheap, €5 think.

6ix

Thanks for that.

I had searched for Croatia alright, but 'Dubrovnik' threw up a few more handy threads.

Here's the basic plan that I have in my head:

Day 1: Fly into Dubrovnik
Day 2: Dubrovnik
Day 3: Head for the first island
Day 4-9 tour Islands
Day 10 Split
Day 11 Back to Dubrovnik
Day 12 - Fly Home.

I think that's fairly feasible, and should make for a nice trip.

In a nutshell -should one book accommodation or not? Some people reccommend the ladies at the ports etc, others prefer guesthouses/hostels etc. I see hostels on the web for €20/25 per night per person which isn't much.

I'm probably going to book the flights in the next day or two, if i can nail down the basic itinerary and basic accommodation plans

maggz

Theres actually a travel agents who specialise in holidays to croatia - http://www.concordetravel.ie/.
We've booked through them and have gotten an island hopping package where we stay on one island for 4 nights and another island for 3 nights. Looks really nice and was very reasonable.

Culchie

www.croatiatours.ie and www.croatiaactive.ie are others you might have a look at.

Concorde have a 'chequered history' as regards to customers service, and I'd recommend Croatia Tours ahead of them.

6ix

Thanks for the replies. I think I'd prefer get flights and take it from there, as I have around 12 days to work with, and travel agents mostly work in 7/14 night packages.

Culchie you seem to be the resident expert on Croatia. I'm happy enough about plans to go from Dubrovnik to Split via islands and back in 10 days, but not sure what accommodation to go with. Would you advise anything?

Culchie

6ix wrote:

Thanks for the replies. I think I'd prefer get flights and take it from there, as I have around 12 days to work with, and travel agents mostly work in 7/14 night packages.

Culchie you seem to be the resident expert on Croatia. I'm happy enough about plans to go from Dubrovnik to Split via islands and back in 10 days, but not sure what accommodation to go with. Would you advise anything?

Your schedule looks great for your 10/12 days.

In September the tourist season will be tailing off so you will be able to plod along and get accomodation where you want.

I dunno about taking accommodation for those that approach you at the ferries etc... I stayed in a couple, and they are very 'hit and miss'.
There should be decent hotels/hostels with vacancies that time of the year so I'd go that route if you have no kids or independents to look after.

You should maybe allocate a day or two to see some of Makaraska Riveria, Tucepi is nice, as is Brela.
Would be a pity if you didn't squeeze in Mostar (Bosnia) as well.....other than that.... looks great!

6ix

Cool, thanks for all your advice. I'll do my research and hopefully get something sorted in the next week or two.

6ix

Accommodation seems to be a breeze, but can anyone tell me if ferries run every day? I've pretty much laid down this itinerary:

Fly into Dubrovnik
Night 1+2 Dubrovnik
Nights 3, 4, 5 - Hvar
Nights 6 7 and 8 - Brac
Nights 9+10+11 - Split
Day 12 Ferry Back to Dubrovnik & stay there.
Day 13 - Fly Home.

If ferries run on the days that I need them, then great, but the info on ferries throughout the web is a bit sketchy, especially seeing as there are a variety of operators.


Anyone know how easy it is to pick up a ferry at your leisure?

RedorDead

In my opinion three days in Split may be a little much. Try and fit in Korcula or Makarska if you can.

Ferry timetables can be accessed here.

http://www.jadrolinija.hr/

colm_mcm

3 days in Hvar too much. 1 is enough. not too big.

RedorDead

colm_mcm wrote:

3 days in Hvar too much. 1 is enough. not too big.

Completely disagree. Id even recommend a week in Hvar if possible. Its the coolest spot in the adriatic. Its as laidback or as full on as you want it. Its got the most sun hours of anywhere in the adriatic and is surrounded by islands accessible by boat taxi to explore.