Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Croatia

You are not saying where in Croatia. It is a small country but the distances are big thanks to its shape. In Croatia you would probably land in Zagreb and rent a car. On the way to the Dalmatian coast you should stop at least at Plitvice Lakes National Park. See Split, Dubrovnik, at least one island, I would recommend Korcula. there used to be a ferry from Rovinj to Venice for one day trip.
Prague, Vienna and Budapest would be better to do by train. Car is a big hassle in those cities. I am afraid that two weeks is too little for your ambitious itinerary. I would go either for P, V, B with some day trips around them or for Croatia and maybe add Slovenia and ferry trip to Venice, but it's up to you how rushed you like your vacation. Refugee situation? We don't have crystal ball but my educated guess is no major problems, maybe some border control where they didn't use to be.

Sorry! We are looking at Dubrovnik/Dalmation coast. Two weeks is non negotiable for them- I will be going to Venice/the rest of Italy on my own after this trip without the friends. 3 nights in each +1 day travel each way- plus 3 nights in Croatia-- What makes you say 2 weeks is ambitious? The amount of time in each place?? Thanks for the reply!

You cannot cover three cities miles apart and the whole of Croatia in two weeks. You will lose at least half a day every time you move, so this will only give you max 2.5 days in each city, all of which need 4 days in each just to scratch the surface. The trip as currently proposed will spend as much time in transit as much as being there, especially if you are considering a day trip to Venice (hideously busy by June).

To see the national parks such as Plitvice and the major sites such as Istria, Trogir, Split and Dubrovnik is in itself a 10 to 14 day trip unless you want to rush, as it is a long, thin country. Croatia deserves not to be rushed.

I would suggest that you concentrate on your three cities of choice OR visit Croatia. If you are determined to squeeze in all four, just visit one area in Croatia such as Istria or Dubrovnik or Split. Pick whichever suits your flights best so that you don't loose even more time in transit.

The refugee situation is fluid and may be very different next year and is mainly affecting the northern borders, which you are unlikely to be near. If you are flying in and out, it will be of no relevance.

I agree with you both about time, and will bring this to my friends. I have told them over and over again that this is not enough time but they are being insistent. Venice is not included- that is something separate on my own. (I am spending an additional 4-6 weeks in Europe after this trip solo). I figured that was the case on the refugee situation but wanted to make sure I wasn't missing any key pieces of info. Appreciate all the help :)

Two weeks off work is 15 days for us 8 to 5 M thru F people so I used all 16 days

Day 1. (Saturday) Depart the US
Day 2. Arrive Prague
Day 3. Prague
Day 4. Prague
Day 5. Early Afternoon Shuttle to Cesky Krumlov (2.5 hours)
Day 6. Early Afternoon Shuttle to Vienna (3 hours)
Day 7. Vienna
Day 8. (Saturday) Vienna
Day 9. Morning Train to Budapest (<3 hours)
Day 10. Budapest
Day 11. Budapest
Day 12. Budapest
Day 13. Flight to Dubrovnik
Day 14. Dubrovnik
Day 15. (Saturday) Dubrovnik day trip to Perast / Kotor
Day 16. Dubrovnik to Italy

I traveled between Budapest and Dubrovnik earlier this year. I went from Dubrovnik to Perast, Montenegro and then on to Titograd from where I caught t a flight to Belgrade, went sightseeing and spent the night and then flew to Budapest the next day. The two tickets on Croatia Air cost a total of about $150 and they were direct flights of about an hour each. Between Dubrovnik and Perast and Kotor I think we enjoyed Perast the most, but Dubrovnik was pretty stunning for an overnight stay but not much more.

It would be a shame to be in the Czech Rep and not see something other than Prague so I suggest Cesky K. To be honest, I would swap out the time in Dubrovnik for a day trip from Vienna to Melk and an overnight trip from Budapest to Pecs or Edger. You will get a lot more out of it and you can do Dubrovnik later when you have the time to see more of the Croatian and Montenegro coast line. Beautiful places.

My favorite hotels in Vienna and Prague don’t really fit your budget. In Cesky Krumlov think about the Dovark wiith a view of the castle. In Dubrovnik look at Villa Sigurata. In Budapest there is a lot to choose from. Stay as close to Deak Ferenc ter as you possibly can; but outside the loop. If you find something interesting PM me and maybe I can tell you about the hotel or the apartment neighborhood.

This is I think is a world class trip.

Day 1. (Saturday) Depart the US
Day 2. Arrive Prague
Day 3. Prague
Day 4. Prague
Day 5. Early Afternoon Shuttle to Cesky Krumlov (2.5 hours)
Day 6. Early Afternoon Shuttle to Vienna (3 hours)
Day 7. Vienna
Day 8. Melk Day Trip (pretty much a full day)
Day 9. (Saturday) Vienna
Day 10. Morning Train to Budapest
Day 11. Budapest
Day 12. Budapest
Day 13. Morning Train Budapest to Eger Wine Country (2 hours)
Day 14. Afternoon Train Eger back to Budapest (2 hours)
Day 15. Budapest
Day 16. Flight Home

Refugees? When Hungary, Croatia and Slovenia began controlling the border the situation really stabilized. Most likely, if nothing changes in the next few months, the migrant issue will have no impact in Hungary and the Czech Republic and as you aren’t crossing the border into Germany, no impact while in Austria.

Hi Rachel! Sounds like a lovely trip! I am hoping to do something similar this summer which is why I was reading through. THANK YOU FOR ASKING THE REFUGEE question (although some people made it seem like it was a silly question!). I'm wondering if anyone who replied has actually been there since the exodus...I have a friend living in Budapest and she said there are many refugees there but they are finding placements. I'll check back on this because I would like to do Prague, Krakow, Budapest, Bled and Croatia in about a month. I hope that's enough time!! :)

I'm wondering if anyone who replied has actually been there since the
exodus

Didn't mean to dismiss the issue. I think its real and worth considering. I was there in September / October when the Hungarians were locking down the Hungarian border. Actually traveled in Croatia, Montenegro and Serbia as well as Hungary at that time. By the time I got there Keleti station and had been pretty well cleared out but the damage and vandalism was still evident. The encampment at Blaha Lujza tér was also gone. We didn't see any obvious migrants while in town. The ones that had been in town had been assisted to the Austrian border while the new ones were being intercepted and routed to immigration screening camps. By this time the only publicized issues were delays crossing the border from Austria to Germany. The press has had juicer stories lately so for the time being they have abandoned the migrant issue and its difficult to get current information. I have some associates in Budapest and they tell me that there is no impact on tourism. If it does heat up again, I suspect it will be around Keleti train station again where I believe you still need a valid passport to enter. But the station is remote enough to have little or no impact on a visit to Budapest. I have some friends in Budapest who let me know when there is any significant change that affects tourism. If something comes up I will post it.

Thanks for all the advice and the advice on the refugee experience and possible barriers. Christa do you have an route planned, yet? Where are you planning on visiting? I am also doing most of my trip solo !
Rachel