11 Days in Croatia: Dubrovnik - Zagreb - July 2012 (suggestions?)
Replies: 3 - Last Post: Jun 21, 2012 12:18 PM Last Post By: kkzd05
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11 Days in Croatia: Dubrovnik - Zagreb - July 2012 (suggestions?)
My G/f and I just booked our flights and we will leaving the US late at night on 7/10 and will be arriving in Zagreb around 5 PM on 7/11. We are then taking a Croatian Air flight that evening to Dubrovnik and arrive around 11 PM. We fly out of Zagreb at 1 PM on 7/22.Below is a tentaive itinterary. Let me know what you think. Are there places that we are missing? Are we not spending enough/or spending too much time in one place? Should we rent a car in Split and drop off in Zagreb? We are on a semi-budget (looking to spend no more than $2000-$2500 between the two of us on all sleeping arrangements, food, ground transportation, and activties. Any input would be greatly appreciated.
- also we like to do touristy stuff (museums, churches, ruins, etc), but also love to do outdoorsy activities (hiking, renting bikes, snorkling, hanging out at the beach, etc). Additionally, we love good food and wine (would like to go wine tasting if possible.) So really we are into almost anything.
- We fly into Dubrovnik late on 7/11 (day 1) and we will stay in Dubrovnik that night.
- 7/12 (day 2) we will explore Dubrovnik all day. Stay in Dubrovnik that night.
- 7/13 (day 3) we will take a bus or ferry (in the morning) to either Korcula or Vera Luka - which one do you suggest?) and we will spend the afternoon exploring that city and spend the night there.
- 7/14 (day 4) take ferry from Vera Luka to Hvar. Spend all afternoon in Hvar. Spend the night in Hvar.
- 7/15 (day 5) spend all day in Hvar or go to a nearby island for a day trip (any suggestions?). Spend night in Hvar.
- 7/16 (day 6) take ferry to Split and spend all afternoon in Split.
- 7/17 (day 7) spend all day in Split or take a day trip (Trogir? any other suggestions?) Spend night in Split.
- 7/18 (day 8) Take a bus (or drive rental car) to Zadar and spend all day in Zadar. Spend the night in Zadar.
- 7/19 (day 9) spending morning in Zadar and then take Bus (or drive rental car) to Plitvice Lakes. Spend afternoon in Plitvice Lakes and Spend the night in Plitvice Lakes.
- 7/20 (day 10) spend all day at Plitvice Lakes. In the evening take bus (or drive rental car) to Zagreb. Spend night in Zagreb.
- 7/21 (day 11) spend all day in Zagreb. Spend the night in Zagreb.
- 7/22 (day 12) -fly home from Zagreb.
Let me know if you think that my plan/timing looks doable. I know that are packing in a lot of places, but I have been told that you don’t need more than 1 day - 1.5 days in Dubrovnik or in the Plitvice Lakes. We would like to see as much as possible.
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It's a lot of moving. Basically you are in a different place almost every night which means that you don't have much time for activities.Dubrovnik takes a day to see the city sights and walk the old walls. Split takes half a day. I would probably visit one island and spend two nights. I would rent a car to make things easier. Renting for a week or longer is usually the same as renting for 3-4 days. Having a car will make it easier to stop along the way when something catches your interest particularly on the drive from Split/Trogir to Zadar there are a number of places worth stopping including Primosten, Sibenik and Krka National Park.
Ruth
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I agree with Ruth on spending more time in fewer places, though I do understand why for transportation reasons you chose one night in Korcula followed by Hvar. However, I'd skip Zadar (I like Korcula and Hvar both better than Zadar, and you can easily catch a bus from Split to Plitvice) to add more time on both islands. Also, I liked Zagreb and feel it is overrated, but I do think you might find it lacking if you are there two nights after rushing along the coast.It is high season so for Hvar especially I would book a room in advance.
I don't think you necessarily need a car for your portion to Plitvice and Zagreb, though it is nice to rent one (or a scooter) while on an island to get to the better beaches and see the scenery.
You can see Dubrovnik in the morning and evening, so I'd consider a kayak trip that afternoon.
Korcula is a much more beautiful town than Vela Luka.
From Hvar, you can take day boats to nearby Pakleni islands.
3
If you somehow get extra day or evening, visit Varazin and Trakoscan castle. It will be very different than your trip up to that point, and Zagreb is just a big city... I'm not saying it's not worth a day, but I think those two would make your trip more special. Or at least Samobor :)
