Croatia

The Real McCoy

Headin to Croatia for 19 nights with the other half in two weeks. Flying into Dubrovnik and out of Zadar
Heres the plan so far:
Dubrovnik; 4 nights
Korcula; 2 nights
Hvar 4; night
Bol: 2 maybe 3 nights.

Not really sure where to head after this so would appreciate any advice.
Maybe might stay in Makarska area for 2 nights, Split, Trogir and then finish up inZadar. Anyone have any tips or advice on this. Dont wan't to head above Zadar as w'ell have enought travelling done at this stage.

milkado

Hi, just back from Croatia and I'd say to spend more than 4 nights in Dubrovnik because there's the option to do tours to Mostar in Bosnia Herzegovina and to Montenegro which are both well worth doing! I spent a week there and between those two full day tours, walking tours in the old town, nights out in the old town and the beaches in Lapad I had loads to do. I spent 4 days in Hvar like you are planning to and I thought it was maybe a bit too long unless you want to lie on the beach all day and then go out at night, Dubrovnik was much more interesting although Hvar is very beautiful, when you are there try get up to the lavender fields!

The Real McCoy

Thanks for advice mikaldo. Will prob do a day trip to Mostar in Bosnia alright.
Have already pre booked accomodation in Dubrovnik, Korcula and Hvar so my time is tied. Anyone with advice on Brac, Makarska, Split etc. I'd appreciate it.

faigs

Wouldn't bother staying in Split, not much there and totally different to Dubrovnik/island life. If you can, visit Rab, its beautiful but you need to get a catamaran from Rejika, which is an overnight ferry from Split away.

Use the search function, there should be loads of threads on this.

Spiritoftheseventies

Yes went there three years ago. A lot of travelling to be done if you heading up to Split but well worth it. The Diocletian Palace is a must see up here and there are day excursions to the various Islands which are great in the summer. Not sure how you are sorted for accomodation but there are always people waiting off the buses to offer Bed and Breakfast in Split.

mikeystipey

Was there last year, went Zadar-Split-Hvar-Zadar

Its true, there's not much in Split to see, but the women there were the best I've ever seen! Thats if you're a bloke, I'm sure the men are pretty too

Hvar is really beautiful, we hired scooters (about €5 per day) and rode off to the secluded beaches, very clear water, brink a snorkle maybe, and the roads are very well surfaced so we felt quite safe, views of the coast line are spectacular at points. Great nightlife too, there was an open air nightclub, had a blast there. Some decent restaurants on the main square too

Wasn't in Zadar long enough to comment

Spiritoftheseventies

mikeystipey wrote: »

Was there last year, went Zadar-Split-Hvar-Zadar

Its true, there's not much in Split to see, but the women there were the best I've ever seen! Thats if you're a bloke, I'm sure the men are pretty too

Hvar is really beautiful, we hired scooters (about €5 per day) and rode off to the secluded beaches, very clear water, brink a snorkle maybe, and the roads are very well surfaced so we felt quite safe, views of the coast line are spectacular at points. Great nightlife too, there was an open air nightclub, had a blast there. Some decent restaurants on the main square too

Wasn't in Zadar long enough to comment

Did you go to the diocletian palace and on the island excursions

The Real McCoy

Ok might stay in Split for just 1 or 2 nights then, head up to Zadar then for the last night. Is Split far from Zadar and are the buses regular? Is makarska far from Split as interested in spending a few nights there as well.

Spiritoftheseventies

The Real McCoy wrote: »

Ok might stay in Split for just 1 or 2 nights then, head up to Zadar then for the last night. Is Split far from Zadar and are the buses regular? Is makarska far from Split as interested in spending a few nights there as well.

http://www.visit-croatia.co.uk/map/
this the best map for you

Rayne

Buses go from the bus terminal, located next to the ferry terminal nearly every hour. They usually go Split-Sibenik-Zadar-Zagreb or Rejika. They are long enough journeys, 3 hrs, as they stop in a lot of small villages, we couldn't find a direct motor way route which would that about 1 hour 45 mins. They drive like lunatics, so i suggest motion sickness tablets.
Bus drivers will charge you 7 kuna (1 euro) per bag if you store it under the bus but as far as I know, all bags are insured.

I can't comment on Split, unfortunately due to bus time constraints, but heard it was beautiful, hope to see it again!

We stayed in Milna, on Brac island and can only discribe it as WOW! So beautiful, gorgeous marina, food is amazing, the locals are so friendly and hasn't a tourist feel to it. Buses to Milna from Supetar (where the ferry arrives from Split) are irregular, so if you intend on visiting, get in early.
There is a boat from Hvar on a Tuesday AFAIK, might have times somewhere.
Buses and cars drive like lunatics on these small, curvy roads, so be warned!
Didn't think much of Supetar, apparently has good beach tho where you can jet ski and wind surf.
Unfortunately didn't get to see Bol, due to the messy bus timetable. And your taking your life into your own hands renting a car!

Spent 3 days in Zadar, which was nice. Try and see the Greeting of the Sun and the Sea Organ. Impressive pieces designed by a local architech.
There is also a beautiful church, Church of St. Donat in the centre that has a tower which you can view the whole city from. It was about 20 Kuna each (€3 each).

We rented a car from here and visited the Plitvice National Park, which was amazing! I'd highly recommend the park if you have the time! Its full of lakes connected by beautiful water falls with colour you wouldn't believe, cyan blue, turquoise, green. It was just amazing!
Buses go from Zadar to Zagreb and stop at Entrance 1 but if its full on the way home, the bus won't stop! There are excursions, but they go very irregularly!

Other National Parks, that I didn't get to see but hopefully will again are the Krka National Park and the Palenka National Park.
Krka is located just outside Sibenik, it has lakes and waterfalls that you can swim in!
Paklenica is a rock climbers heaven. Full of rocks, but I heard the sights were beautiful.

July and August are busy months for Croatia, this is their peak tourist season!
The weather was lovely when I was there 2 weeks ago! Had the odd rain shower only in the mornings!
English is not widely spoken, but we didn;t encounter any big problems thankfully!

Found this site particularly good http://www.croatiatraveller.com/

Enjoy it, I can't wait to go back!

mikeystipey

bayviewclose wrote: »

Did you go to the diocletian palace and on the island excursions

No, didn't go to the Diocletian Palace, more into landscape sort of sightseeing myself.

We rented a low-power speed boat one of the days on Hvar and went to one or 2 of the smaller islands, some of which have nudist beaches if you're into that sort of thing.

The bus journey from Zadar to Split was nearer to 4 hours from what I remember and left about noon. Did it with a savage hangover so was no fun at all

The ferry from Split to Hvar takes under an hour - go down early in the morning (about 9am) to book your tix though.

Spiritoftheseventies

mikeystipey wrote: »

No, didn't go to the Diocletian Palace, more into landscape sort of sightseeing myself.

We rented a low-power speed boat one of the days on Hvar and went to one or 2 of the smaller islands, some of which have nudist beaches if you're into that sort of thing.

The bus journey from Zadar to Split was nearer to 4 hours from what I remember and left about noon. Did it with a savage hangover so was no fun at all

The ferry from Split to Hvar takes under an hour - go down early in the morning (about 9am) to book your tix though.

Yeah those bus journeys. the worst are when you crossing over the border. They check your passport twice. Never knew whether to eye ball them or look away sheepishly.

The Real McCoy

Thanks for great advice guys. Didn't realise that bbus journeys were so long. Hmm Might cut short my time in Makarska or not go at all. Or should i give bol in brac a skip? Any idea on which is better place?

Spiritoftheseventies

You have nineteen days and likelihood is you will want to move on after a few days. Try Mostar and Sarejevo aswell. Whatever else nail down the bus times as in some places you can be waiting for ever for some buses as some are in remote spots. All down to planning in the end.

kenon

bayviewclose wrote: »

You have nineteen days and likelihood is you will want to move on after a few days. Try Mostar and Sarejevo aswell. Whatever else nail down the bus times as in some places you can be waiting for ever for some buses as some are in remote spots. All down to planning in the end.

+1.

If you are going to be in Dubrovnik for a while, Sarajevo is definetly worth a look, fantastic city. There is a bus that runs from the main bus terminal in Dubrovnik daily at 08:00.