Dalmatian Coast 10 days end of May

First of all, I see this is your first post on this forum, so welcome!

I've been away for a few days, and this is the first I'm seeing your post. It's very rare for a question about Croatia to go unanswered for two days.

I think, though, you haven't yet done enough independent research. Your question makes it sound like you don't know very much about the area you are going to see.

It is hard to tell you what you should do for 10 days along the Dalmatian coast based on your saying you love to hike, walk, and cycle. What is a must-see for one person isn't necessarily a must-see for the next.

Can I suggest you start by picking up a guidebook (Rick Steves or another one) and read about Dubrovnik and Split and Mostar and the islands off the Dalmatian coast. Look at a map and maybe put together a tentative itinerary and share it with us so we can offer specific suggestions. Plus read some of the existing questions on this forum. You might learn enough to determine which islands are are must-see for you.

Afterwards, if you still have questions, maybe come back with more specifics about what you're looking to experience on this trip.

I am not trying to be unhelpful. But if I said to you, "Yes Mostar is worth visiting" or "Hvar and Korcula are must-sees," I don't think that's helpful either. I loved those places. But that doesn't make them worth your time. As you read through this forum, you'll see people rave about one island that someone else found dull and not worth their time. Even more, you'll see the kinds of questions people ask that get a lot of helpful responses, and that will help you put together a question that will be easier to get answers that will help you make good decisions for you.

Good luck! I think you're going to a beautiful part of the world, and you'll love it!

I think Mostar is definitely worthwhile (I even included Sarajevo which was also very interesting and worthwhile. I got to both by bus and train - it was not difficult). As far as islands go, they are very accessible from Split - you can visit Brac, Hvar, etc. Mljet has some lovely territory. Korcula was one of my favorites - the drive there was incredibly scenic. In 10 days, you likely won't have enough time to see northern Croatia unless you want to give up something else. If course Plitvice is a star attraction but I opted to leave it out on a similar trip just to concentrate on the areas between Split and Dubrovnik - there's plenty to cover just in that region for 10 days. If you're flying back from Split, then I would probably not go north of there. There is plenty to do to fill your time. Not everyone seems to love Split but I thought it was great. I hiked at the edge of town up Marjan hill and loved it. I could easily spend a few days there (and also stop by Trogir which is close by and smaller but quite charming).

I agree with Lane that a must-see for one person is not for another. Split is a prime example of appealing to different interests -- some love it and spend days there, others are good with giving it only a day. Without a specific question to answer, I can give you some ideas, but do your own research to see if they are a fit for you.

• Use Dubrovnik as a base for the start of your trip. Here, possibly include time for the city itself as well as day trips to Montenegro (Kotor, Budva, Perast) and Bosnia (Mostar).
• Head up to one of the islands such as Mljet, Korcula, Hvar, or Brac. There is no "best" island in this group. Each is distinct in its own way. More attention is given to Korcula and Hvar, but that doesn't mean that they are necessarily better for your tastes.
• From the island(s) head on to Split. Here, include time for the city itself (Diocletian's Palace, Old Town) and possibly nearby Trogir/Solin and Krka National Park. Also consider Plitvice Lakes National Park although it is a good drive (~2.5 hour drive from Split). Personally, Plitvice Lakes is my favorite site in all of Croatia, and it is worth seeing if you are the type who likes hiking through National Parks.

In addition to Mostar, you can consider Trebinje, which is very close to Dubrovnik (see map) and can offer you about what you are looking for.

Last September we traveled from Dubrovnik to Miljet, Korcula, Hvar, Brac, and Split. We spent over two weeks in the islands. We liked them all. Some more than others. In my view, Rick Steves' opinions in his "Croatia" guidebook are right on the mark.