We will be traveling from Prague and she wants to see Croatia. I'm open to any way of travel but we love trains but understand trains aren't best in Croatia. I've never rented a car in foreign country but just want the easiest way to travel with just me and my girl and our luggage (light packers). We'll be coming from working for 2 weeks teaching English in CZ so we just want to relax, ease of schedule, outdoor experiences, but not tons of museums. We loved Monterosso in Cinque Terre last year but she wants to try something else. And, CT was expensive!. Looking for nice, budget, beach and slow pace just enjoy the scenery, food, water, and local life. Probably there for 1.5 -2 weeks and could easily be talked in to Greece or Southern Italy too. Return flights haven't been booked but we will be coming from Prague and then flying back to states. Thanks!
Posted by
Tunbridge Wells
6113 posts
Italy is expensive and it will be very busy in mid July.
Greece and Croatia are both better value, unless you hit Santorini or Mykanos, which will blow your budget. Croatia is better value, as it hasn't adopted the Euro yet.
Do you want to travel around or just hit one place and chill?
Within your timescale, if you want several bases at a relaxed pace, I would suggest fly into Split and have a few days here. You could have a long day trip to Plitvice Lakes. Spend a day in Split and another in Trogir. Take the ferry to Stari Grad on Hvar and stay here or Jelsa for say 5 nights for beach time. Pretty towns with a good choice of restaurants. Free evening music events some nights in Stari Grad. Avoid Hvar town - it's double the price and party town at that time of year, but take a bus ride here one day.
Take the catamaran from Hvar to Dubrovnik for a few nights and fly out of here.
If you have 2 weeks, add in another stop in Korcula after Hvar.
Look at Trip Advisor rental apartments, as these are better value than Airbnb, although the latter have a wider range of properties. There are good supermarkets there if you don't want to eat out every night. The food is better in Croatia than in Greece.
Mid July means that the whole of Europe will be on school holidays, so book accommodation asap for the best choice. Most places on the islands have a 3-4 night minimum booking.
If you just wanted one base rather than travelling around, I would pick Hvar or Korcula islands.
Posted by
Washington DC
27041 posts
I would not do Plitvice Lakes as a day trip. The park is immensely (and justifiably) popular and will be totally overrun by daytrippers. It's critical to spend the night in the area so you can get an early start the next day. Someone else here reported that a late-afternoon visit also worked well. Just don't try to do it without spending the night. It's a fabulous place, and you want to see it at its best.
Renting a car in Czechia and dropping it in Croatia would probably be cost-prohibitive, so look into flying. If you find you must take the bus or train, you'll probably travel through Zagreb. It has a very nice historic district but--obviously--no beaches. Still worth a couple of nights in transit. Bus service is fine from Zagreb to the coast and along the coast. There are many interesting locations there and I, personally, wouldn't choose to spend 10 to 14 days in just one.
It's likely to be very hot in July, so a beach-oriented vacation is probably a good idea. Be sure your lodgings have air conditioning (most do) and that they are well-located for trips back at mid-day to cool off if necessary. But it would be a shame to go all the way to Croatia and see nothing but sand and sea, which is why I'd split my time between at least two spots.
Posted by
OP
Kansas Ciy, USA
211 posts
Thank you!!
Land site suggestions if mixing that in?
Posted by
Washington DC
27041 posts
Plitvice? It's sort of on the way from Zagreb to Zadar/Split. There is bus service, and there are hotels near or in the park. I can't give you a personal recommendation because--like a fool--my last trip to Plitvice was a day trip from Zagreb. Fortunately, I had been there before and know how wonderful it can be. You could head out from Zagreb by bus. Check into your hotel near the park. Head to the park after things calm down (hotel might be able to suggest good timing) and see a lot of the park that same day.
The next day you could return to the park if you wanted to (they sell a 2-day pass), which you well might. Then you could pick up a bus going on toward Split. If the bus stops in Zadar, that would be worth a stop. The medieval district is very picturesque, and I especially recommend it if you do not plan to go all the way down to Dubrovnik. Zadar gets its share of tourists (though I think not too many Americans), and there are some fun shops in the old town.
From Zadar it's a short jaunt to Split, which has ferry connections to a lot of islands.
Posted by
Centennial, CO, US
2122 posts
I would take her to Greece. See if you can find a direct flight from Prague to Santorini. If none, then fly to Athens & directly to Santorini. Spend a couple of nights admiring the views, then ferry to Naxos. Find a hotel on St George beach. At the end, ferry back to Athens for 2 nights and then fly home.
Santorini can be a little pricey, but people on this forum can help you find a reasonable hotel. Naxos is more affordable. Lots to do. Great food.
IMO this would be more relaxing for you & fun for your daughter.