Hi, We are planning a trip to Croatia in Late September to early October 2016. We want to visit Dubrovnik ( 3 nights, 1 night in Korcula of the 3 ) and Plitvice Lake NP ( 2 nights) for sure. Need suggestions for the days in between. We will be flying in and out of Split from India. Should we spend the remaining 3 nights in Split or Zadar or both. We will be travelling by bus / ferries for the entire trip. We are mainly into nature and historical sites. All suggestions regarding the itinerary and hotels to stay ( We need to prebook all stay for a Schengen visa being an Indian Citizen) in all the places are welcome. I have read the previous posts , but not too keen on Hvar.
Also would like to know if ferries are better than buses for travel between split - korcula - dubrovnik.
Thanks
Posted by
San Antonio, TX
334 posts
The catamaran ferry is just as fast as the bus between Split and Dubrovnik. Both take about 4 hours. With the bus, you will have greater flexibility in your plans as there are multiple busses each day covering that route. Typically, the catamaran travels south from Split to Dubrovnik in the morning and makes the return trip in the evening. The car ferries will take longer, so make sure you take the catamaran. Korcula is about half-way between Dubrovnik and Split, so each leg will be about 2 hours.
With interests in nature and historical sites, consider:
- Krka NP (day trip from Split)
- Diocletian's Palace and Old Town Split
- Solin and/or Trogir (near Split)
- Kotor, Montenegro (day trip from Dubrovnik)
- Mostar, Bosnia (day trip from Dubrovnik)
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Stay in the bigger towns and on the mainland, as by the end of September, many of the restaurants etc on the islands will have closed for the winter.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
In early October 2009, I spent two nights in Korcula Town. Although the town was very slow especially at night, plenty of restaurants were open. Unless things have changed since then, I imagine it would be similar this year.
Posted by
OP
99 posts
We were thinking of Mostar and Kotor, but again being Indians we would need separate visas for both the countries apart from the Schengen visa for Croatia. I wonder if its worth all the hassle and paperwork?? Any suggestions regarding sobes inside the old town in Dubrovnik??Also we were think of staying inside the Plitvice park hotels as we don't have a car to travel every day from outside to the park. have not heard many good things about them. Hope they are not too bad..
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
I stayed at one of the Plitvice park hotels, the Hotel Plitvice, back in 2009. There was nothing wrong with it - just overpriced for what you get. It was clean just not very modern - looks like it hasn't changed since the Yugoslav era. I would stay again. I wouldn't give staying here a second thought - nothing to worry about.
Keep in mind that if you take a bus from Split to Dubrovnik you will pass through a small sliver of Bosnia and Herzegovina - the "Neum corridor" - which means you cross the border twice, out of and then back into the EU a few kilometers later. So that could be a problem with your visa. Just make sure your plan includes a ferry or catamaran from Split to Korcula. You can take the bus on from Korcula to Dubrovnik without leaving Croatia.
Posted by
Portland
3594 posts
Just a comment on your plan for Plitvice Lakes NP. If you stay one night, you can get an early start and see the entire park by mid/late afternoon. I think we hiked the lower and upper portions in about 6 hours, and we are old folks. Then, you can be on your way to your next destination. No need to stay a second night.
To me, Split was less than compelling. We liked the nearby (less than 1 hour by car ) medieval town of Trogir much better. I strongly recommend that you have a guide for visiting Diocletian's Palace. PM me if you would like the name of the person we hired. She is very knowledgeable, and her rates are very reasonable.