My wife and I are hoping to take a 10-day trip in May. We've heard Croatia is beautiful but we were wondering how feasible it would be to do the trip with a 4-month-old? Anyone have a relatively slow-paced itinerary they could suggest that sees the highlights with daytrips but limits the amount of hotel changes (we'd like to stay at as few hotels as possible)?
Also how is the medical system in Croatia, in case there were a need?
Croatia is a fine choice for a family holiday. I don't know anything about the medical system, but you would be in populated modern areas. Split and Dubrovnik, with perhaps an island stay in the middle, would be my suggestion. I'd rather move accommodations twice than do day trips, but it is quite easy to scale back. You could also stay on an island and visit Split as a day trip.
If you were interested in Plitvice, then into Zagreb and out of Split would be nice.
We go to Croatia every year specifically because it is such a great place for kids. With the medical system, it is Europe, so of course it is good and perfectly fine.
We always go to Istria and stay in a villa. With a baby, staying in a villa might be a nice option as well. In May the weather will still likely be cool and the islands will just be opening up. I love Plitvice, but I would not do it with a baby as the walkways are very precarious and slippery. Strollers are not possible and I would not do it with a baby carrier either as I would worry I would lose my balance and fall into the water.
Good point about Plitvice!
If late May, weather should be quite pleasant, but yes early May still probably chilly.
Thank you all very much for the advice. Can you tell me what site you use to find villas available for rent? Airbnb?
Airbnb is one option. I have used booking.com. I always start with the tourist office website of the place I am going (either town or island), as they have local listings posted. There are also numerous agencies in Croatia offering services. You pay a small fee, but you are still overall paying less than hotel costs so I don't mind for convenience. The most important thing is finding a good location along with whatever amenities you prefer (for me, that is a terrace or some kind of outdoor space with a view).
Yeah, Croatia would be great - very nice place, friendly people. I would consider 3 days in Dubrovnik, 3 in Split, and 3 maybe in Rovinj (i've never been there). In May it will still be quite chilly in the water. But you can dunk the kid in a little. Dubrovnik has limited beaches. Split has a wonder 1/4 KM sandy beach, which always has a ton of families. Another idea is the agrotourismo - staying on a farm - they might have kitties.
I can't tell you about Croatia specifically (first trip there will be in April)---but I do have experience traveling with infants as young as 4 months to Europe. If this is your first child, and they will be born in January or Feb, your wife may feel less ambitious for travel once the baby is born. I remember colleagues wondering what they were going to do during maternity leave and thinking they will be bored. Believe me, it will fly by and your wife will feel occupied and busy.! Having said that, we did go to Europe with my 3rd child as a baby. The key is to have simple and direct flight plans. If you are traveling from the US and going to Croatia, consider the flights first. Simple travel plans without a lot of logistics (the number of planes, trains, automobiles) are key. Car travel is more difficult, as car seat is needed. The amount of gear you may need will be a bit overwhelming. We did not bring either a stroller or a crib. We brought with a baby bjorn (which worked very well) and the place we stayed had a crib.
Wow, with a little effort by you, your baby can grow up speaking fluent Serbo-Croatian! Start with tapes now. Alas, I have no other guidance.
Sent you a message on the company we use for our villa rentals.
Thank you!
Hypothetically, if you were only going to stay on one island for a night or two in May which would it be? Hvar?
I think any island would be fine in May, it just depends on what you are looking for. Hvar and Korcula have towns of interest and also are on the catamaran line between Dubrovnik and Split, so either one would work.
