First time visitors to Croatia!
Travelers: Active family of 2 adults; 3 kids ages 6, 6, and 10; from Texas, USA
Transport: Car from Zagreb to Dubrovnik; Private boat return from Dubrovnik to Split via islands
Interests/Priorities: beautiful beaches, outdoor time, old/ancient/historical sights and towns
Not important to us: eating out, maybe only 1-2 good meals; mega resorts, we have plenty of those at home; we are ok moving around if overall smoother travel (I think I prefer to move/pack/unpack rather than backtrack and drive unnecessary distances with little kids)
Itinerary, 16 days end of July 2025
Day 1 – Long day of flying and arrive Zagreb Airport, 4pm; find dinner, go to bed early
Night 1 – Stay Samobor (night 1/1); considered Zagreb, but Samobor seems easier
Day 2 – Short walk around Samobor; leave by 12pm to Plitvice; relax at hotel in Plitvice
Night 2 – Stay Plitvice (night 1/1)
Day 3 – 7am Plitvice; entrance 1; leave by 2pm to drive to Primosten
Night 3 – Stay Primosten (night 1/2)
Day 4 – Rest and beach
Night 4 – Stay Primosten (night 2/2)
Day 5 – Drive to Split via Trogir, and maybe Klis Fortress if not too tired
Night 5 – Stay Split (night 1/2)
Day 6 – Visit Diocletian's Palace early, no other plans
Night 6 – Stay Split (night 2/2)
Day 7 – Rafting (ages 6+ ok per rafting company)
Night 7 – Stay near Omis or Markaska (night 1/1)
Day 8 – Drive to Dubrovnik
Night 8 – Stay Dubrovnik (night 1/2); looking at an apartment level with Stradun in Old Town, or could book Hilton Imperial
Day 9 – Visit Dubrovnik, early morning and evening; rest indoors or find a beach in hot, crowded afternoon; looks like low number of cruisers on this day
Night 9 – Stay Dubrovnik (night 2/2)
Day 10 – Pick up by private boat at Dubrovnik
Nights 10-15 – On Boat, visit Miljet, Korcula, Hvar, and Vis; maybe Brac if time permits
Day 16 – Drop off by boat in Trogir or Split; Depart Split, 5:30pm
Questions
Should we just drive to Plitvice the first night and stay two nights there so less moving? Worried about driving in evening (especially if flight delayed, although I guess we could always stay by airport if that happens) and think important to get to bed early that day, but if the drive is pretty easy to Plitvice it may overall be more restful. Samobor castle looks cool, definitely think I like Samobor more than Zagreb for an easier starting point.
I previously considered Trogir for 3 nights instead of Primosten and Split, but I watched some videos and Primosten looks so beautiful and Diocletian's palace is a must see for us. But if I do it this way, I only have 2 nights for each. Open to suggestions to move things around to solve this.
Thoughts on rafting? I thought it would be fun active day to break up all the beaches and hot cities for kids.
-Open to hearing how you would divide 9 nights plus 6 boat nights!
Thank you!