Croatia & Slovenia -06.2026 - Preliminary Itinerary. Need feedback please

Do you arrive in Dubrovnik on Day 1 or Day 2? If it's on Day 2, you may well have no non-jetlagged time in Dubrovnik.

I don't see a way to reduce the number of hotels unless you eliminate one or more of your stops. I wouldn't want to move this fast, overall, but I think all your stops are worthwhile. Although Split didn't excite me, it's a good opportunity for a side trip to an island.

Hi acraven, we arrive in Dubrovnik on day 1. No jet lag since we will be in Rome first. If it was you, which stop you would skip? And add more day to what city?

I really can't answer that question, because those are all interesting places. I just wouldn't plan to cover so much rich ground in only 12 full days. The pace of hotel changes would wear me out. I guess I'd consider dropping Istria, since it adds driving time, but I spent the better part of a week in Rovinj back in 2015 and took a bunch of day trips; it's not that I don't like Istria.

I love Plitvice, but you definitely don't need extra time there. You're OK in Ljubljana itself since I suspect you'll be back early from tiny Lake Bled. However, you could add time in Slovenia and do a sort of loop trip. I haven't done that, but others have, and you might find suggestions via the Search function.

Zagreb is a rather large city with many interesting museums as well as an atmospheric historic district. However, I think some of the museums haven't reopened since the earthquake a few years ago. Therefore, I can't honestly say for sure you need another day in Zagreb, though I'd definitely want another. I find I usually run out of time to see what I want to see in large cities.

Let's see what others say. I know my pace is a lot slower than others'. Maybe the consensus will be that what you have is perfectly OK.

We just finished an eight-night trip to Croatia and the pace of the proposed itinerary looks very, very fast for just twelve nights. Particularly after being in Italy prior to arriving in Croatia—not sure I wouldn’t be exhausted after keeping to the proposed schedule after just the first week.
Most of days 3, 5, 7, 9 &11 involve daily drives of 3-4 hours.

On day 9 you have both a day trip to Lake Bled from Ljubljana and a day trip to the Soca Valley from Ljubljana.
That is simply not realistic.

I would slow things down a bit and visit the largest walled city in Europe—Ston— on the drive from Dubrovnik to Split. Consider adding a night to Split and daytrip to the Venetian town of Trogir (30 minutes away) and the Croatian town of Šibenik (1 hour away) which has three fortresses that protected the medieval town.
Following Plitvice Lakes National Park. go to Ljubljana.

From Ljubljana. you could substitute in the Venetian town of Piran ( 90 minutes from Ljubljana ) for Rovinj and see the UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Skocjan Caves on the way to Piran. This would save you about 7-9 hours of driving on days 6, 7 & 8.

You’ll still have time for Lake Bled and the Soca Valley before returning the car to Zagreb.

I got curious and went to Alamo. Probably not tge cheapest but sn easy website to navigate. I loaded on all thr additional insurance for a compact car and the total for your trip was about $1000 + gas + maybe $300 for parking + tolls. Certainly under $1500 total plus traffic tickets. I was expecting more. Cheaper companies could probably cut that a lot. Not bad. Have fun. Enjoy.

Hi Kendo, with your suggestion, I made few changes (in italic)
Day 1: Flight Rome to Dubrovnik (not yet booked)
Day 2: Dubrovnik
Day 3: Pick up car, drive to Split, stop at Ston, sleep in Split
Day 4: Split, take ferry to Hvar, sleep in Split
Day 5: Split, day trip to Trogar & Šibenik
Day 6: Drive to Plitvice Lakes, sleep in Plitvice Lakes
Day 7: early hike in Plitvice Lakes, then drive to Ljubljana
Day 8: Day trip to Piran, stop at Skocjan Caves, sleep Ljubljana
Day 9: Day trip to Lake Bled, Sleep Ljubljana
Day 10: Day trip to Soca Valley, Sleep Ljubljana
Day 11: Drive to Zagreb
Day 12: Zagreb
Day 13: Flight home from Zagreb (booked)

Does it look less rush and more doable? This one requires only 5 hotels (instead of 6 previously), which is a big plus.
Thank you!

Hi Tom, Yes! I think it will work really well and you’ll have a great time seeing places your family will enjoy together. Ston, Diocletian’s Palace in Split, Šibenik, Trogir, Hvar Town ( hike up to the castle ruins) Piran, the Tolmin Gorges in the Soca Valley, the Skocjan Caves—-all are great attractions and most take just a couple hours to enjoy. You’ve got it down to four base cities plus Zagreb which is good. Ljubljana and Zagreb’s UpperTown (“Gornji Grad”) are easy cities because they can be enjoyed just by walking around the old city centers.

Have a great trip!

I really appreciate Kenko, Mr Ê 🇺🇸 🇺🇦, acraven for taking time helping me planning the summer trip for our family. This forum is very knowledgeable and helpful.
Happy Travel Everyone!

What will be a very unpopular suggestion.

Day 1: Flight Rome to Dubrovnik (not yet booked)
Day 2: Dubrovnik (tired and jetlagged)
Day 3: Dubrovnik
Day 4: Pick up car, drive to Split, stop at Ston, sleep in Split
Day 5: Split, take ferry to Hvar, sleep in Split
Day 6: Split, day trip to Trogar & Šibenik (Split was not among my favorite places due to the type of crowds the two years I stopped in, but okay … )
Day 7: Drive to Plitvice Lakes, sleep in Plitvice Lakes (you have a car, get an early start and go straight into the park and get it done. This all depends on what lights your fire, but for me the bang for the buck and the bang for the time there to eat up 2 days of a short trip just wasn’t there. I did it in July and it worked out fine, but I only spent 3 hours there. There is another post on here of someone that did the same in June and it worked out okay. I am in a minority on the forum, but in the majority with all those that go. Then on to Piran … So, 3 hours of driving = long day but it’s done).
XXXXXXXXXXXDay 7: early hike in Plitvice Lakes, then drive to Ljubljana
Day 8: Enjoy Ljubljana and relax a bit.
Day 9: Day trip to Piran, stop at Skocjan Caves, sleep Ljubljana
Day 10: Day trip to Lake Bled, Sleep Ljubljana
Day 11: Day trip to Soca Valley, Sleep Ljubljana
Day 12: Drive to Zagreb
Day 13: Zagreb
Day 14: Flight home from Zagreb (booked)
Since you already have your flight booked, maybe try and combine days 10 and 11. But you gotta have one down day and Ljubljana is a nice city.

To be really, really honest, I would skip Slovenia and do a good trip of Croatia with side trips to Mostar and Kotor Bay maybe hit an island or two. Slovenia is so easy to reach from Austria and Italy it will fit with a future trip.

Hi Mr Ê 🇺🇸 🇺🇦, we meet up with friends in Rome for few days prior to Dubrovnik, so we hope all jetlag are done by then. I think 2 nights Dubrovnik is enough.
First, I don't plan to stop by Trogar & Šibenik, but I add these in per a suggestion, it can be omitted.

If we don't stay a night in Plitvice, that day will be 6-7 hours driving (morning to Plitvice, and after hike, driving to leave the park).

I wonder if it's better to stay a night in Soca Valley (or anywhere in the area) to save time driving back and forth Ljubljana.

What is your thoughts on the below itinerary?

Day 1: Flight Rome to Dubrovnik (not yet booked)
Day 2: Dubrovnik
Day 3: Pick up car, drive to Spit, stop at Ston (oyster town), sleep in Split
Day 4: Split, take ferry to Hvar (hike up to the castle ruins), sleep in Split
Day 5: Drive to Plitvice Lakes, sleep in Plitvice Lakes
Day 6: early hike in Plitvice Lakes, then drive to Ljubljana
Day 7: Enjoy Ljubljana
Day 8: Day trip to Piran, stop at Skocjan Caves, Predjama Castle , sleep Ljubljana
Day 9: Day trip to Lake Bled, Vintgar Gorge, Sleep Ljubljana
Day 10: Day trip to Soca Valley (Tolmin Gorges), Sleep Ljubljana
Day 11: Drive to Zagreb
Day 12: Zagreb
Day 13: Flight home from Zagreb (booked)

We did a similar itinerary around the RS Adriatic and I think either of the two itineraries you have now look good. I’m drawn to water and trees and loved the Plitvice walk. I’m always a believer in avoiding crowds and if you can do an early start in the morning you’ll avoid lots of the crowds. The tour got to our Plitvice hotel in the late afternoon and the guide rushed out to get tickets for the following morning.

I have been through one part or another of Croatia 4 times now; but still because of the way I did it I really haven’t got a broad impression of the country so the big pictures I leave the experts (but I haven’t really seen one on this forum for the mid coast to the south of Croatia).

So, I will just comment on a few details.

1. Spending a day in Ljub I think you will happy about.
2. Plitvice, okay, but make the trip to Plitvice about more than wasting a day to prep for the next day. So plan the day with a stop in Rastoke https://youtu.be/ggw7NoFELQ8?si=WW1JmMyrGb-6_ZsC (done it loved it). Maybe someone has a better idea and a few more stops to use the time and drive well cause you have a day to use. For these sorts of things I called a trip planner friend of mine and she always found me a vineyrard or olive plantation or somethng off the wall to use the day well.

We spent the night in Rastaoke the night before Plitvice and really enjoyed walking along the river before dinner. After Plitvice, we spent the night in Lovran. Day 8 seems like too much---maybe skip Piran. Day 10: We liked Kobarid Traill more than the Tolmin Gorge, but it might be better to skip driving over the pass and visit Bohinj, we loved the Mostnica Gorge hike with Voje waterfall. We stayed in Radovljica because it was more convenient for hiking and took the train to Llubijana for a day.

cindyeb, now that sounds wonderful. I took a peek at options because if histiory repeats I will get brought back to Plitvice. For some reason everyone I know wants to go to Croatia (might explain the crowds and the prices). Well, Guest House Vučeta looks about perfect. I think I walked past it a few years ago. Rooms are $50 to $100 a night; compare that to the rooms at the commercial Plitvice hotels. Spend the morning in Zagreb, the drive right after lunch would put you there at 3 or 4 which is perfect time for seeing the town. Nothing lost this way.

I think day 8 looks pretty busy too. It would be a shame though to miss Piran. Especially if you like to swim. The sea is clear and all around this tiny town are sea access points. I was in Montenegro, Slovenia and Italy early this fall. Piran was one of the highlights for me as I love taking a dip.

You have just a little bit of time in Dubrovnik, so maybe a guide would help you get the most our of it. This lady is very good: Nera Pavlovic, [email protected], https://www.linkedin.com/in/nera-pavlovic-b2186873/, whatsapp or phone: +385 98 183 4365

Much appreciated all of your feedback, here is the most update one per your suggestions :)
Day 1: Flight Rome to Dubrovnik (not yet booked)
Day 2: Dubrovnik
Day 3: Pick up car, drive to Split, stop at Ston (oyster town), sleep in Split
Day 4: Split, take ferry to Hvar (hike up to the castle ruins), sleep in Split
Day 5: Drive to Plitvice Lakes, sleep in Plitvice Lakes (or Rastoke: the waterfall 25 mins away)
Day 6: early hike in Plitvice Lakes, then drive to Ljubljana
Day 7: Enjoy Ljubljana
Day 8: Day trip to Piran, Predjama Castle (outside only), sleep Ljubljana
Day 9: Day trip to Lake Bled (hike to Mala Osojnica viewpoint), Vintgar Gorge , Lake Bohin (Savica Waterfall) - Sleep Ljubljana
Day 10: Day trip to Soca Valley (or visit Boniji and do some hike), Sleep Ljubljana (or Radovljica)
Day 11: Drive to Zagreb
Day 12: Zagreb
Day 13: Flight home from Zagreb (booked)

I need to do more research to determine if it's better to stay in Ljubljana or Radovljica.
We visited few famous caves around the world and wonder if we skip the cave in Slovenia.

Tomball377, recognizing that everyone had different tastes and interests; sounds like a great plan. Enjoy.

For what it's worth, I'm a single traveler. Will not be renting a car. My planned itinerary is:
Days 1-3 - Venice (Flying in from Lisbon)
Days 4-7 - Ljubljana (Flix Bus from Venice). Two half day trips to Lake Bled and Predjama Castle/Postojna Cave
Days 8-9 - Zagreb (Flix Bus from Ljubljana) with a day trip to Rastoke & Plivice Lakes on day 9
Days 10-14 - Dubrovnik (Air Croatia from Zagreb), with two full day trips to Montenegro and Bosnia
Day 15 - Fly from Dubrovnik to Lisbon (via Barcelona)