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Only 8 nights in Croatia so really need some help!

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Hi everyone! My 22-year-old daughter and I will have 8 nights in Croatia in May as her college graduation gift. We will fly into Dubrovnik and out of Zagreb, and will not rent a car. We like history, architecture, shopping, walking tours, but aren’t huge partygoers and don’t anticipate spending a lot of time on the beach considering it will be May. This is where I have landed:

Day 1 (arrival) + Day 2 – Dubrovnik

Day 3 – ferry to Korcula, sleep Korcula

Day 4 - Korcula

Day 5 – ferry to Split, sleep Split

Day 6 – Split

Day 7 – Day package of transfer from Split to Zagreb with stop at Plitvice (this is an all-day event)

Day 8 – Zagreb

Day 9 – fly home

Is this the right mix with enough time to see most everything? Is Plitvice essential or should I consider adding time to the other stops? My only other thoughts were: 1. remove one night from somewhere and add a stop to Hvar, or 2. Add another night in Dubrovnik and do a day trip to Mostar.

Thoughts? If Mostar should be included, do you have any recommendations on transportation? I am at the point where I just need to start booking things so thanks for your counsel.

Posted by
4363 posts

What does daughter want to see? Something is getting short shrift no matter what with only a week, so it's best to just choose what you want and don't worry about what you will miss.
If you go with Mostar, it's best to insert it in between Dubrovnik and Split as overland bus travel is simple. So, I think it's best to choose either an island or Mostar.
Your plan is fats paced, but it's a nice overview of the highlights.

Posted by
5687 posts

Have you already booked your flights? If not, you might consider flying home from Split (if you can get decent flights) instead of Zagreb. With such a short time, I'd probably focus on the Dalmatian Coast between Split and Dubrovnik + islands, plus Mostar if you choose.

Plitvice is amazing (I've been there twice), but I'm not sure I would try to squeeze it in on such a short trip. It's a shame you don't have more time. A day stop on the way between Split and Zagreb means you'll be there at the busiest time with lots of tour groups walking around, which can make the beautiful park seem like Disneyland. It's much nicer if you can get into the park at 7am before the tour groups arrive or stay later after they leave, but it's hard to see it that way on a day stop excursion.

I'd probably skip the night on Korcula and either add that night to Split (and do a day trip by ferry to one of the islands, Hvar or Brac would be most practical) or add it as a day stop in Mostar (or a night there if you choose).

Driving is really easy in Croatia FYI (once you get out of some of the cities). But I do understand why some people wouldn't want to drive.

Posted by
1527 posts

A day trip to Plitvice will begat a tourist packed couple of hours in a destination deserving better.
If your flights are booked then stay with your itinerary and take some dives into researching best opportunities to explore each destination.
Do hire an experienced guide for Dubrovnik, don't do GOT tours (the mass of GOT's will swarm you).
If you have not booked flights then recommend dropping Plitvich and Zagreb. Add another island with Hvar making the most sense. Fly out of Split.

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