FLY IN/FLY OUT AIRPORTS & Itinerary Order? (Rovinj, Split, Dubrovnik) ?

You really can't cover Croatia from Rovinj to Dibrovnik with only two bases. Look at the driving times on Viamichelin.com. They do not include stops, traffic, getting lost or finding parking. Everyone says they're a bit too optimistic. The estimate for the one-way trio from Rovinj to Split is 6 hours. Even Split to Dubrovnik is projected at 3 hr. 40 min.

If you want to see Istria, then Rovinj is a better base than Split. November is very much off season, so many smaller resorts will be closed.

Split and Hvar are both too far from Rovinj and Dubrovnik for day trips. November isn't the time for the islands as ferry services are severely reduced and many restaurants and hotels are closed.

I don't se a problem with visiting north and south in the time you have. Seven days in Dubrovnik is way too much though. What are your flight options?

Not possible to have two bases. I would fly into Zagreb, rent a car the next day or so, drive to Slovenia (no idea if less than two nights will suffice), then to Istria. Hvar--not much point in November. Then Split, then Dubrovnik. So, three-four bases in Croatia, provided you need time to sleep off the flight in Zagreb (plus Zagreb is an underrated city). I would add at least an overnight at Plitvice national park as well.

thank you thank you - this is so helpful.
I am working on an adjusted itinerary. Also, flying once between locations is an option.
I had already realized I need to start in Zagreb and it does sound underrated. I will be travelling alone the first 5 day and then meeting my partner. So, Does 7 nights in Zagreb sound crazy (too much?).

I will update my adjusted ideas soon.

I would not want that much time in Zagreb, but there are some towns nearby that could occupy you, e.g., Varazdin--or you could have a peaceful trip to Plitvice or head up to Ljubljana. Peek in the sections about northern Croatia in a guide book.

If the weather's nice, I could enjoy a lot of time wondering around Zagreb, but there are many other interesting areas to see in Croatia (and Slovenia and Montenegro), so I wouldn't normally recommend 7 days in any single place. How many days for Zagreb depends greatly on how many of the museums you want to see and how many shops you want to explore. No museums and no shopping? I'd say two full days max unless you want to veg out in cafes. Then you could add days for day-trips

I don't consider Plitvice Lakes National Park a viable day-trip from Zagreb because of the need to get into the park super early to avoid being part of the walkway-clogging mob of daytrippers.

Thank you. I will work on my itinerary more.

I keep bouncing back and forth to Budapest and Vienna and am wondering if I should skip the smaller towns and do Budapest Vienna and Dubrovnik? Any thoughts?

OK - sorry for changing things upside down and inside out on everyone...

alternate idea...

Oct 30 Fly San Francisco to Budapest (7 nights)
Oct 31 - Nov 7 Budapest (My husband joins me btwn Nov 4-6)
Nov 7 Fly/Train to Vienna (7 nights)
Nov 7-14 Vienna
Nov 14 Fly/Train to Dubrovnik (4 nights - no cruise ships in town)
Nov 14-18 Dubrovnik (bus to split)
Nov 18-22 Split (3 nights)
back home...

I do not have to go to dubrovnik - but my husband's great grandparents were from there - so I thought it would be a cool surprise. he won't know the area I have selected for our vacation until the day before he meets me ;)

Okay, Jet13, I ignored you and planned my own trip:

M. October 30 San Francisco to Vienna

T. October 31 Arrive Vienna

W. November 1 Vienna

T. November 2 Vienna

F. November 3 Vienna

S. November 4 Hubby joins you in Vienna

S. November 5 Vienna (show him the best of what you found without him)

M. November 6 Vienna to Sarajevo, non-stop on Austrian Airlines

T. November 7 Sarajevo

W. November 8 Sarajevo to Mostar for lunch and a tour. Then Mostar to Dubrovnik. Total drive time is about 5 hours. You should make Dubrovnik between 5 and 6 pm. Room inside the old walls.

T. November 9 Dubrovnik

F. November 10 Dubrovnik

S. November 11 Montenegrin tour guide picks you up and you head south, then along the Bay of Kotor to Perast, Montenegro for lunch. About a 2-hour drive plus stops in great towns like Herceg-Novi. After lunch take the boat out to Our Lady of the Rocks. Hotel Conte in Perast. I would budget about $200 for the day.

S. November 12 Guide takes you from Perast to the town of Kotor for lunch (45-minute drive), then the switchback road (P1) on to Budva. Now this is the long way, but its worth it for the views. About 1.5 hour drive plus stops for prosciutto. Stay at the Astoria.

M. November 13 Tour Budva oldtown then on to Podgorica after lunch. Best Western Hotel in Podgorica.

T. November 14 Early morning flight, non-stop, under $100 to Budapest (Wizz Air).

W. November 15 Budapest AND THE CHRISTMAS MARKETS ARE OPEN!!!!!

T. November 16 Budapest

F. November 17 Overnight to Eger or Gyor or Pecs

S. November 18 Budapest

S. November 19 Budapest

M. November 20 Budapest

T. November 21 Home