The best of Croatia and Slovenia in 12-14 days?

Slovenia—Triglav National Park: Lake Bohinj and Kobarid; Skocjan Caves, Piran, Ljubljana.
Croatia— Zagreb, Sibenik, Krka National Park, Diocletian’s Palace in Split, Hvar ( Stari Grad is one of the oldest towns on earth), the Makaskar Riviera.

Much will depend on how much of Slovenia you include (have not been there yet) and if you include the south so you can do that side trip into Bosnia. Maybe it was because it was my most recent visit there, but I really liked the northern islands of Cres/Losinj.
Once you decide what "main towns" you wish to see, it is easier to select the more rural places to include. We also liked Lastovo (off Korcula).
I'd peruse one of the guidebooks to see what your overall trip will look like. A hiking book might Cicerone might be helpful.
Late May/early June is a fantastic time.

I would suggest you fly into Ljubljana and out of Podgorica. Use 16 days including travel days as thats really two weeks with all the weekends counted.

Something like
Ljubljana
Bled
Zagreb
Split
Dubrovnik
Perast
Budva
Home

Of course that means a lot of 1 or 2 night stays but you will see a lot and a lot of variation.

Thanks to all of you for your suggestions. I really appreciate it!

I dont think we were a lot of help. So some more thoughts.

Given the time you have skip Mostar.

More of what you seem to be looking for exists in Montenegro than anywhere you mentioned. Watch the videos here: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/montenegro/podgorica-to-dubrovnik-by-car

And since you have limited time, I think a travel planner will make a difference in this region especially because transportation isnt as easy as it is in Western Europe so knowing the options and how to piece it together does help. There is a travel planner referenced in that other thread (above) as well. I know she does Montenegro and Croatia, but not sure about Slovenia.

You said:

Things we like:
Nature - trail walks and easy to moderate hikes in lake, mountain and coastal areas
Not much of that in Ljubljana, Zagreb, Split, Dubrovnik, Budva
Hikes and Trail Walks: Perast, Kotor, Stari Bar, Ulcinj, Žabljak / Tara Canyon. Nature: Žabljak / Tara Canyon

Viewpoints
Good: Bled, Perast, Ulcinj, Žabljak/Tara Canyon, Ostrog, P1 Highway

Quaint villages
Some between stops the full length of the trip. Stari Bar comes to mind. But again, this is where a travel planner can help.

Historical sites, especially "cradle of civilization" and ancient sites
Not much ancient in the region. Close as you get is Split but not much context left there.

Things we DON'T like or care about:
lots of people/touristy
Croatia is about as touristy as life gets. Montenegro is the opposite and Slovenia probably fall in the middle (my impression at least)

great food (we have a lot of dietary restrictions so it's usually wasted on us)
Then you won’t be disappointed in Croatia. Never had a great meal there in there trips. Best meal in the region was after a fishing trip. The captain of the boat gave us directions in town (Budva) where to go with the catch and have it prepared. Excellent meal.

shopping, nightlife
Again, you wont be disappointed. Well, Split might be a pain for you. Lots of drunk trust fund brats

lounging on the beach
There is that in Croatia and Montenegro. I’m not into it much either but the off-coast fishing and water sports I enjoy.

Thanks much for these thoughts - we'll definitely consider the Montenegro sites in our planning!

Mostar was one of my favorite stops on our tour. My only complaint is we only stayed one night.

I saw your other posts. Excellent, you are using the forum well.

Here you are faced with the travelers deliema; cant see it all, where to cut, where to add. Glad its you and not me this time. Always drives me crazy.

I suggested cutting Mostar because you seemed a like a traveler on a journey of exploration as opposed to one out to see the places he has dreamed about. And you only have 12 days. The difference is with exploration you want to get to as many places as you can with the time to learn them and Mostar used more time than it returned in satisfaction in that scenario. But when a place lights your fire, and if Mostar does, then go for it. It’s the right thing to do.

One of the advantages of seeing Mostar is that there are canned trips out of Dubrovnik that are fairly cheap and run every day. I say that because a lot of the region is more challenging to visit because it doesnt have much of a tourist transportation nextwork yet ... the exception maybe Croatia from Split to Dubrovnik.

I think I mentioned before that even though I go back to the area every year i still call on a Balkan travel specialist. The few hundered dollars she costs me I save in time and effort once I am there. Croatia is getting a tad pricy these days but Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro are still bargains and for the cost of group transport in the West you can hire private transport and she finds it for you ..... or group, up to you. Dijana Krkotic, Guide & Tour Designer Doclea Travel, +382 69 277 749 (whatsapp), [email protected], www.docleatravel.com

If this trip you stick to Croatia and Montenegro …. And okay, Slovenia too. And if at the end you have a desire to return … well then you have Balkan Fever. Sort of like mad cow disease but more fun. And with Balkan Fever you will want to see all of Bosnia & Herzegovina (known by the Balkan Fever bunch as BiH). Then Mostar works well with

• Sarajevo, https://youtu.be/YsoVyRGepMs?si=9wFXgbC0wbjvJuTm
• Travnik https://youtu.be/QymcxBUN7gA?si=tjJfG1qasQyvElCY ,
• Jajce https://youtu.be/OKZu3RJrjX8?si=6VBaswvmAU4b8HCw ,
• Blagaj https://youtu.be/HdKr-FW25fw?si=uheAGwdNf5S5G09- ,
• Kravica Waterfall (hmmm Plitvice or Kravica? No contest) https://youtu.be/dVoR-jsXU6A?si=ONDjr9tGO5n5Ekmt ,
• Trebinje https://youtu.be/O45FB8F4Cso?si=NN2C4Pl1M-vnggMM ,
• Una National park and Štrbački Buk Waterfall (again, Plitvice, eat your heart out) https://youtu.be/gxt3wvZshe4?si=ZrWQRYkUSA68u2tI ,
• Ključ https://youtu.be/P72a5ZFo2yY?si=KFODNOYnyjw6PGij
• The best of BiH https://youtu.be/DSdlDqJTdT8?si=L1Z4yMgHWL9c4zVm

After BiH its Albania…….

Mr. E, thank you for the wonderful insight. I do hope I get Balkan Fever!