Croatia itinerary

Hi demosthenes63!

I have been studying your itinerary and knowing that you intend to use hired car, I can conclude that it is doable without any doubt.

According to the order of the places that you intend to visit I suppose that you are arriving to Zagreb from someplace and intend to depart by plane from Dubrovnik to Vienna.

The only thing that I consider worthy reconsidering as far as the number of overnights is concerned are Plitvice lakes. After you have taken the whole day for Zagreb exploration and after the overnight there, it would be the best thing that you wake up early in the morning and depart for Plitvice. It is a distance of only 137 km and roughly 2 1/2 hours of driving, so you can save a day (overnight) here and add it to Split, so that you see more in that area.

Honestly speaking, Plitvice lakes are wonderful place and the nature lovers stay there for days, but as far as I can see, you have intended to remain there for a day, so this option will be very satisfactory for you. The best option is to come early, explore the lakes and have an overnight there. Just one suggestion, please, try to avoid Saturdays for the travel on this portion. It is so unbearably crowded then.

In case that you reconsider your plans, and assign three overnights for Split, you will be perfectly able to explore Split, nearby gem called Trogir and on route from Plitvice to Split you should not miss Šibenik with its wonderful historic, old part of the town adorned with Cathedral of St James.

As far as day trip to Hvar is concerned it is a bit impractical if you plan to use catamarans. The fact is that the first catamaran departs at 11:30 and the last catamaran departs from Hvar at 16:15. Basically, this allows you even less then full four hours in the town. In case that you take your car on the ferry and use it on Hvar island, then it is much different circumstance. Here I have to explain that the ferries does not dock at Hvar (town), but in Stari Grad which is not within the walking distance to Hvar (town). Here I have an idea. You can take the car early in the morning by ferry to Hvar, explore the entire island and then proceed to the easternmost part of the island (place called Sućuraj) from where you can use the ferry to the coastal place called Drvenik and from there just proceed to Dubrovnik.

This will be a very rushed holiday. Basically two night is really one full day and perhaps a half day plus driving time. Without knowing your priorities, I personally wouldn't find this to my liking.

I agree about stopping in Sibenik on your way from Plitvice lakes to Split. It will be a long day and it would make a nice stop. Personally I wouldn't try to get to an island. I'd spend half a day in Diocletian's palace, visit the Roman ruins at Salons, visit Trogir, etc take a slow drive to Dubrovnik and then spend one day in the old city there before flying to Vienna.

Three days in Vienna is fine unless you love art in which case you would need more time.

Unless you read something about Zagreb that really appeals,to you, I'm inclined to suggest that you only spend one night there and head to Plitvice Lakes. Where to add the additional day depends some on your interests - could be an island from Split, a stop in Zadar so you can visit Krka national park on,your way to Split,.....

Ruth

Hi flumy and everbrite,

Thanks for your very informative replies!

The reason we're staying two nights in Zagreb is because we will only be getting into the city at 11am and we will likely be lagging. In any case, I think the general sentiment is that there is a lot more to do in areas like Plitvice, Sibinek and Split than staying an extra night in Zagreb.

Based on your advice, I think we will take one night out of Zagreb and include that for a one night stay at Sibinek so our schedule looks like this now:

Zagreb - 1 night
Plitvice - 2 nights
Sibenik - 1 night
Split - 2 nights
Dubrovnik - 2 nights
Vienna - 3 nights

One question: Does it make sense to stay in Sibenik or actually just stop off for the afternoon and spend the extra night in Split?

A few hours in Sibenik is enough but figure that the whole day will be spent driving from Plitvice Lakes to Split with a stop in Sibenik for a few hours.

Ruth

I agree with #4 opinion, but I have to correct the fact that it is a long way driving. It is not. From Plitvice lakes to Šibenik, there are 187 km, but 115 km on motorways, so the time required for this route is just 2 1/2 hours!

Another thing. From Šibenik to Split, use the coastal road because it is scenic and allows you to pass by Primošten ( http://www.croariva.com/de/foto_des_tages/20100627 ), there are only 87 km and with very slow driving it is about, let's say, 2 hours of driving.

The fact that I have mentioned above, will allow you to stay in Šibenik as much as you want, but it is not necessary to make an overnight there.

flumy - I was figuring the whole day for travel 2.5 hours to get to Sibenik, several hours in Sibenik, then a drive along with coast with a stop in Primošten for afternoon tea or ice cream and to walk around and then a further drive to Trogir or Split for the night.

Personally unless you want nightlife, I would stay in Trogir.

Ruth