We will be in Dubrovnik Jul 29-Aug 4. Staying in old town, not renting a car, first visit to Croatia. With the exception of a private day tour to Montenegro, we really just want to relax and soak up summer during the day (swimming, kayaking, hiking, etc.) -- we will have evenings to explore the old town since we're staying there. I know there are beaches/hikes within Dubrovnik -- which we will likely do -- but given we have the time, we'd like to visit nearby areas.
I have two questions related to island day trips from Dubrovnik (Gruz) - appreciate any/all guidance!
- Recognizing how long ferry rides can be, we will skip the further/more popular islands (e.g., Korcula), likely in favor of the closer Elaphiti Islands, to maximize time on the ground. Do we need to book these ferries in advance? If not, we will just "figure out as we go" (likely day/night before) to try to keep a more relaxed mindset, if that makes sense.
- Any recommendations for certain nearby islands over others? They all seem beautiful so I feel we can't go wrong, but thought I'd ask.