Help me decide my Hoiday (Croatia or Germany/Switzerland)

maynooth_rules

Suck between two plans for the summer holidays with the girlfriend. First option is to ly into Dubrovnik, make my way up the Croatia coast stopping at a few places then home. Second option is to go to Munich, lakes aroud Munich then into Switzerland. I can't make up my mind. Any help would be appreciated

Gemma01

I haven't been to Dubrovnik so I cant recommend one over the other but I would note that they are two very different holidays so it depends on which one most fits your interests.

Option 1 is good if you are looking for more of a beach holiday- sunbathing, swimming and so on (although Croatia does have more to offer than that alone). Option 2 will suit you more if you are interested in scenery (mountains, forests lakes etc.), hiking or other outdoor activities.

mzoe

Croatia would be much cheaper, and if you want a "summer holiday", I think it would suit better. Munich is a beautiful city, and there is a lot to see in Germany, but I wouldn't consider it a typical summer destination.

livinsane

I did something that sort-of incorporates all those two years ago.

Flew from Cork into Munich, stayed two nights, got a train to Vienna, stayed two nights and then flew to Dubrovonik for a week (internal flights quite reasonable). Flew back to Dublin from Dubrovonik.

I've been to Munich twice. Very nice but a bit too big for my liking. Lots of nice parks to relax in tho. Great balance between buildings and nature. Didnt go outside city so cant comment on lakes.

Cant comment on Switzerland.

Dubrov is fab. People very nice. We stayed in the Lapud area. We didn't have any accomodation when we got there and all hotels booked out so we asked at a kiosk by the beach and got directed to a guy who owned a few apartments (the owners sit out on chairs waiting for business). Was a bit wary as he lead us up a steep 15 min walk but it was all worth it cos apartment (well a bedroom, toilet and large balcony) was lovely and the views over the town and bay were spectacular. Cheap as chips too, €50 per night for two of us.

Visited the old town, worth a look but I wouldnt base myself there. Only downside of Dubrovonik is that nightlife is poor. Im not a clubber but you do miss the buzz about the place.

Lots of islands to take day trips to.

Enjoy anyway.

shane_doc

Switzerland is fantastic, especially Interlaken with so much outdoor activities but warning, it is really really expensive.
I would suggest startin at Dubrovnik as it is a beautiful place where you can walk barefoot on the warm smooth stone of the streets. Then I would head south through macedonia, bosnia and albania. This area would incorporate both mountainous areas that you were looking for in switzerland and a mixture of beaches and fjords, all at a fraction of the cost.

ElectraX

Cannot comment on Switzerland having never been there but having spent two weeks in Croatia a few years ago I would highly recommend it.
You can fly into Zadar in the north with Ryan air and then work your way down to Dubrovnik in the south and fly home with Aer Lingus.
There is such variety in Croatia, it would suit whatever you are looking for. The north is quieter and less touristy. Went to one island for a few days called Dugi Otok that had no cars or public transport on the island, so just a great chilled out place. Spent a couple of days there chilling out, eating great food, swimming and snorkelling in the coves.
On the other extreme, there is an island in the north called Pag which is like a Croatian "Ibiza", 24 hour nightclubs on the beach, cocktail bars, loads of watersports on the beach.
As you head south it gets more touristy. However Bol and Hvar are must sees, Bol for its stunning coastline and Hvar for its great promenade full of resteraunts, bars and also boat trips out to secluded islands. Split and Dubrovnik are beautiful historic cities with loads to see and do.
Didn't book accomodation before we went over, just arrived off the plane in Zadar and it was easy to sort out places. There is usually a mob waiting as you get off the buses/boats in a new town/city offering you accomodation and you can haggle the prices. Went in August and the weather was fab, mid thirties every day:cool: If you decide to go there and need any more info just PM me any questions.

Euro_Kraut

Switzerland is a beautiful county and very easy to get around. However, it is extremely expensive especially as the Swiss France has gained recently against the Euro. If you have the money and are looking for more of a relaxing outdoor type holiday that it could be for you. The nightlife is pretty staid which might be a positive or negative depending on your point of view.

Munich is worth visiting, but could be done a weekend city break at almost any time of the year (Oktoberfest aside)

I live in Switzerland at the moment and think its lovely, but would be more inclined towards your Croatian holiday option.

STComp

Switzerland is a stunning country, especially if you are into outdoor activities like hill walking.

The coutry is very easy to get around by train e.g. from Zurich a two hour picturesque train journey will take you to Kandersteg winding its way towards the Alps and during the journey you will pass not far from the Reichenbach falls which Arthur Conan Doyle chose as the setting
for the death of his character Sherlock Holmes. Kandersteg is an outdoor mecca, suitable for all ages and all interests, rambling or hiking or sitting by the lake. There is a stunning chocolate box lake, the Oeschinensee; soon to become a world heritage site. Take the cable car and venture walking from there. You can't get lost as everything is signposted. You could be 2,000m high and slightly bewildered by the geography of the place only to find that just over the next hill there is a signpost telling you the distance from here to there and the estimated walking time for the journey. Wonderful!

1.5 hours from Kandesteg is Montreux on Lake Geneva, famous for its Jazz Festival which has been celebrated for three days each July since 1967 and for Switzerland’s most visited monument the Castle du Chillon which dates back to the 12th century and is a must to visit even if you have no interest in history. The castle exudes imagination and atmosphere; one can only be catapulted back in time to witness the sheer power and domination that the Duke of Savoy must have exerted on the population. Montereux was a haven for Catherine Barkley and Lt. Frederic Henry in Ernest Hemingway's classic, A Farewell to Arms. Freddie Mercury lived there and there is a statue commemorating his memory. It's quite an exciting place and there is a modern vibrancy and youthfulness to the city.

In the larger cities like Zurich, there is vibrant nighlife plus as you're travelling with your girlfriend Zurich is also very romantic!

Weatherwise, you can expect in general the weather to be warm and dry during the summer months.

To help you plan your budget visit www.swisstravelcompany.ie where you can price hotels, hostels or trains. Switzerland wouldn't be a cheap as Croatia but for scenic beauty, lots of fresh air and great people, it can't be beaten.

Enjoy your holiday which ever destination you choose.

ThunderApple

I haven't been to Dubrovnik but I've been to Zadar, Rovinji and other nice Croatian holiday towns. We had a great time there. People were friendly, the hotels were clean and nice, there were so many things to do besides swimming and sunbathing.
Aaaand, it was quite cheap. I'd choose Croatia.