It's our first trip to Croatia and Slovenia. We have three weeks and will have a car. We will drive from Dubrovnik to Slovenia with many stops along the way. Everyone on the site mentions using Matt for a tour guide. Do we need a guide? And what is the usual cost for a guide? Some people mention using him for 10 days? Does that mean he traveled with them or simply set up tour guides along the way? Do you tip a tour guide? Thanks
Posted by
Portland
3644 posts
We toured Croatia for 2 weeks this past September, starting in Dubrovnik. The only place we used a guide was in Split; and, in hindsight, I'd say that was the correct decision. I think a guide is necessary to make sense of Diocletian's Palace. Otherwise, everything in Croatia is easy, not the least because almost everyone speaks English. Our guide was Maja Benzon, a very knowledgeable, friendly person, who charged 80 euros for a day, that included the Palace and a bit more of Split.
Posted by
Vienna, Austria
5513 posts
Lucky you! A trip like this does not need a tour guide, especially with a some research ahead of time. English is widely spoken - especially in Slovenia - so you should have no problems getting around. Again, you do not need a tour guide.
Posted by
Perth, Australia
15 posts
As has already been said you don't need a guide. Just research before your trip and you will be fine.
Posted by
OP
2 posts
Thanks!That is a lot of help.
Posted by
5 posts
I vote for hiring a tour guide. Otherwise you'll get all necessary information from Internet (accommodation, landmarks, value-for-money restaurants etc.), but I have a question for you. Who'll take you to pick up wild asparagus in April-May in Istria? Or, let's say, where you gonna eat fresh grilled trout with potato and Swiss chard, after you finish walking around Plitvice lakes? Where in city of Split you can have 'bevanda' drink (mixture of wine and still water)? In which shop in Zagreb's farmer's market you can sample Dalmatian prosciutto or Pag cheese?
Tour guide is a local with a 'golden key'