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Pls advise on Itineraries for 16 nights in Croatia

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Have read tons of information from this forum and then drafted an itinerary for 16 nights in Croatia. I find difficulties on the choices of islands though; please help me to finalize this part. Also welcome any suggestion on the other places.

My preference: like nature more than the tourists-packed cultural heritages. Love photographing about natures, beautiful architectures, and the local people (e.g. fishermen) in their daily life if possible. Love swimming, snorkeling, free diving, scuba diving but not considering scuba in this trip. And love hiking/walking in the wild. Love food and wines.

Will arrivie at Rovinj from Ljubljana around July 26 and will take the ferry to Bari Italy from Dubrovnik in the last day around August 11. I know it is the peak season and large crowds are expected everywhere. I have to try all my best to avoid the hordes; sadly I am one of them.

Here is the plan:

Rovinj or Opatija, 3 nights, rent a car to visit Motovun, Opatija, Porec. Any nice places to add?

Plitvice, 1 night

Trojir or Sibenik, 2 nights, visit Split, Trojir, Sibenik, Primosten. Not going to Zadar coz prefer a relax pace. Also, any nice places to add?

(Return the car b4 going to Vis island.)

Vis island, 3 nights

Hvar or Korcula, 2nights

Hvar or Korcula or Mljet or other, 2nights.

Dubrovnik or Cavtat, 3 nights. Rent a car to do 1 day trip to Bay of Kotor, maybe not visiting Mostar coz worrying too much time on the road/traffic.

Q1: Based on what I have read on the web, Vis is the most worth island thus I allocate 3 nights there. I read opposite comments about Hvar and Korcula. How to schedule the following 4 nights among Hvar/Korcula or even Mljet or others?Should I do 4nights in one island or 2nights each on different island?

Q2: I guess in the peak season there will be many ferry to go from one island to the other. For example, there will be no problem ferry from Vis to Hvar and then Korcula and then Mljnet, etc.

Q3: Dubrovnik or Cavtat

I read opposite comments too. Some people prefer the old town in Dubrovnik saying it will be amazing walking in the old town in the evening after the tourists group gone. Also in the early morning can watch the fishermen come back from fishing which will be a fantastic scene for photography. I almost made my mind to book a room outside the Ploce Gate, then I read this post “Is there anywhere else in Croatia like Cavtat ?” In this post Cavtat sounds like the best place in Croatia while the world-known Dubrovnik is like nothing if compared to Cavtat. Only one person contended that Hvar town is the better place than Cavtat. Good news is that I have put Hvar in my destinations.

Q4. Rovinj vs. Opatija , Sibenik vs. Trojir ? Any advices?
I guess it will be no wrong to choose either of them. Just want to learn more insights about them.

BTW, this will be my first time in Croatia. My initial plan was 12 nights. And, after reading many of the posts I decided to cut 4 nights from Lecce Italy and add it into Croatia. So, please don’t tempt me to extend more days in Croatia. Lol.

I checked booking.com, 2nights booking is acceptable in Vis, Korcula, and Hvar and even Cavtat.. Many people said minimum 3 nights booking in the peak season. It seems not the case?

Thanks for your patience on reading such a long post. Sincerely appreciate any advices and suggestions.

I am a Chinese live in Shanghai. I happened to find ricksteves website and found it very insightful. It is a pity I only knew Lonely Planet, Tripadvisor in the past.

Posted by
27063 posts

Google for pictures of Opatija and Rovinj to see which you prefer. Rovinj is much more closed-in. It's very picturesque, but if you seek to make pictures without other tourists in them, you may be doing some waiting.

In Istria I also liked Groznjan.

I'm not sure you're correct about ease of transportation from island to island. I'd Google for schedules to be sure.

Becsuse you're a photographer, you would probably benefit from getting the 2-day ticket for Plitvice so you can visit in the afternoon on your arrival day and again early the next morning.

Posted by
1743 posts

You've got some good advice from acraven. I second his recommendation to include a stop in Groznjan when you're in Istria. It was my favorite of the hill towns in the region.

I think you have already identified the pros and cons of different islands and choices of which places to base yourself (Dubrovnik vs. Cavtat, etc.). You are exactly right when you say there's no wrong choice.

I just have to add that I wish all first-time posters on this forum were as thorough as you in doing your research and providing complete information about your trip. You're going to have a great trip! Welcome to the world of Rick Steves!

Posted by
2 posts

Thanks Acraven.
Groznjan looks amazing on Google Maps Photo Gallary. I wish I could stay 1 night there but... maybe in next Croatia trip.

I also googled pictures re. Rovinj vs. Opatija. I think I will go for Rovinj. Oparija is just not really my type.

I realize that the transportation between islands may not be as easy as I think, even in the peak season. I have to check it carefully. I know there will be no problem from Split to the islands but between islands seems a different story.

Could you give me any advices about the 4 nights between Hvar/Korcula/Mljet? Thanks.

And thanks for your encouragement, Lane. I will keep updating this post sharing my decision making process. Hope it will help the other people.

Posted by
2124 posts

Hi Kevin -- This is all such a personal choice. I happen to love Vis. For gorgeous photos, i encourage you to stay at (or at least visit) the gorgeous little village of Komiza on Vis. And take a boat trip to Bisevo to see the Blue Hole on a bright, sunny day.

I also love staying in Cavtat. You'll get great photos at sunset of the yachts coming in to dock. It's such a picturesque little town. You can rent a car right in town (although you may want to reserve in advance at that time of year) for your trip to Kotor. Starting from Cavtat instead of Dubrovnik will be a little shorter trip. The town of Perast, on the bay of Kotor, is stunningly beautiful, so make sure you don't skip this daytrip. It might even be a good place for an overnight??

I haven't been to Mljet but enjoyed Korcula more than Hvar. Hvar is more of a nightclubby place and will have more tourists ... Korcula is quieter and, I think, more photogenic. Maybe spend 2 nights on each and see for yourself?

Hope you have a great trip!

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