Austria-Croatia itinerary audit please! (parents with some mobility challenge)

It's been years since I was to Croatia, but there was a clear reduction of smaller boat/ferry options outside of high season. You might want to check into that. We did take our car on the ferry from Drvenik to the island of Hvar to visit Hvar city. This took a full day from Podgora (1.5 hr south of Split) where we stayed there and back. Not a lot going on on the island of Hvar then Hvar town. Consider a ferry to Korcula Town too. What other plans for 5 nights in Dubrovnik? I'm sure there is good help in the Croatia forum.

Sounds like a lovely trip! I think you have a good amount of time for Austria and Vienna and Salzburg are wonderful destinations for a first visit.

For Croatia, 5 nights in Dubrovnik seems like a long time. Also, the old town has lots of stairs so if your mother gets tired it might not be the ideal base for that long. I'd suggest carving a couple of nights off and spending them on an island instead, especially if they're looking for a slower-paced holiday:

• Split - 4 nights
• Island - 2 nights (or even steal another night from Split)
• Dubrovnik - 3 nights

For an island, Hvar or Korcula would be easily choices since they are on the ferry route between Split and Dubrovnik. The boat is a scenic and easy way to make the journey (rather than by car/bus). This also means they could use their time in Split to focus on the town itself or other non-island daytrips (Krka National Park, Mostar, Trogir, etc).

I stayed in Split with my mother (early 60s) a few years ago and we loved it. We didn't rent a car but still wanted to see some sights outside of town so ended up doing a small group tour to Krka and it was amazing (there is some walking in the park so that might not be ideal for your mother). The company we used also does tours to Mostar, if your parents perhaps don't want to drive. Here's the company website - Petar, the owner/guide, was absolutely amazing:
http://www.krka-tour-split.com/tours/unique-np-krka-tour/

Have fun with your planning!

Dubrovnik is a challenge if you are not fit for walking, especially for the most interesting part, the walk around the old city on top of the city walls.

Fly into Vienna International airport (Immediately take train from Vienna airport to Salzburg)

Salzburg 3 Nights

Day trip - St. Gilgen or St. Wolfgang

Train to Vienna

Vienna 4 Nights

Day trip - Melk Abbey and Danube cruise

Fly from Vienna to Split

Split 4 Nights

Day trip - Korcula

Day trip - Hvar

Drive (3 hours) to Dubrovnik and return rental car

Dubrovnik 5 Nights

Day trip - Kotor

Fly from Dubrovnik for return flight (back to Taiwan)

I am more interested in culture, so for me this itinerary would be imbalanced, i.e. too much nights in Split/Dubrovnik, not enough in Vienna/Salzburg.

These are amazing advice!!! Really appreciate your views to help me balance this itinerary even more!