Doing Rick Steves' 2-week trip backwards but...

Posted by ronda on 01/25/24 12:37 AM

Hi,

We are going to do Rick Steves' itinerary (page 20 of his Croatia/Slovenia book) backwards, so we will begin with Dubrovnik and work our way to Venice before we go to Germany to catch some football matches.

We are wanting to go to Sarajevo but need help in planning that from Dubrovnik. Is it also possible with the tentative itinerary (below) to fit in a day in Zagreb?

This is how we've tentatively planned it so far....arrive Dubrovnik in afternoon and then spend 3 full days, then head to Hvar/Korcula for 3 days, then Split for 2, Plitvice Lakes for 2, Rovinj for 2, Ljubljana for 3, Lake Bled for 2 then on to Venice for 3 days before heading to Germany.

Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks so much for your time!

Posted by Jean

Idaho, USA

01/25/24 12:43 AM

7288 posts

Hi Ronda, if you’re traveling by car, you only need one day at Plitvice Lakes National Park. I definitely recommend taking the tour at Postojna Cave/ Predjama Castle when you’re at Ljubliana. Your trip covers a lot of beautiful areas!

Posted by awrzesinski

01/25/24 04:28 AM

880 posts

How/when were you thinking Sarajevo because I don’t see any days here for it. It’s too far for a day trip from Dubrovnik in any fashion.

Rovinj is kind of out of the way, and in general terms, is a similar town to Korcula or Hvar (old Venetian port with natural beauty.) I had it on my itinerary for a long time and ultimately cut it for this reason. It’s much more convenient to add that time to your existing days in Korcula/Hvar.

Plitvice takes tight planning to do the whole “afternoon/overnight/morning hike then leave” thing, but I think it’s more worthwhile than spending another night there. That’s your night for Zagreb (and find another night honestly, I loved Zagreb.)

Personally, I think Bled makes a fine day trip from Ljubljana. If you weren’t just coming from the Dalmatian coast, then relaxing/swimming there would seem more attractive. Ljubljana is awesome and I’d give yourself 4 nights there instead.

Posted by ronda OP

01/25/24 02:28 PM

42 posts

Thank you so much for your replies and advice! :)

Posted by TexasTravelMom

TX, USA

01/25/24 04:24 PM

4081 posts

It’s a fast paced trip, but beautiful countryside. But you need to make sure you are looking at your schedule realistically and know that you don’t have a full day on those days you change locations.

Your title says 2 weeks, but it looks like you have 12 nights in Croatia and 20 nights overall on this portion. And I assume you are using the ferry and picking up a car in Split? Or ferry/bus/train for all? This will make a big difference in what you can actually do. If bus and ferry in Croatia, you will have to look at bus schedules to see what is available and what works for you. Someone recently wanted to catch a 6am bus every morning and no way could I do that.

Previous poster is right that Sarajevo is not a doable day trip. If you need some professional help with making all this happen, I can recommend Dijana Krkotic:
dijana@docleatravel.com
www.docleatravel.com

Posted by ronda OP

01/25/24 04:58 PM

42 posts

Yes, you're correct...we are doing the basic itinerary Rick Steve suggests, but added extra days/nights. We don't want to be too rushed; want some extra days in there. We plan to be in Europe for about a month all told.

I will see how the planning goes and may be in contact with Dijana. Thanks for her contact information :)