Croatia-Italy 11 nights

Are you really leaving in a week, with no reservations except flights into Zagreb and out of Venice? If so, you should probably solidify your plans and find some hotels ASAP, which could be tricky this busy time of year.

Even if it's NEXT August, I'd simplify the trip to skip all of Italy except for Venice. Spend most of your time in Croatia, probably using your first itinerary, but adding a day to each stop. Two nights in Korcula or Dubrovnik is really just one full day each, and especially Dubrovnik deserves more than that.

There are several ways to get from Dubrovnik to Venice. You can take a ferry to Bari (in Italy) and then train to Venice. Or a ferry to Rijeka; from there you can bus/train into Venice or bus to Pula or Rovinj and take a ferry.

If picking between your 2 itineraries, I would pick the first because it includes Plitvice (amazing place). I think the itineraries are a little busy and involve a lot of travel, but the pace may work for you.

Keep in mind that not all transportation in Croatia is frequent, even in high season. Buses run frequently, but the catamaran from Split to Korcula only runs once a day (3:00pm in 2008 - buy ticket ASAP upon arrival in Split). Coastal ferries from Split to Korcula and on to Dubrovnik only run about 3 times a week (check www.jadrolinija.hr for schedules), but bus from Korcula to Dubrovnik is a daily option. Direct flights from Dubrovnik to Rome also aren't daily, although you can probably get there daily via Zagreb.

I want to do the trip to Italy and Croatia also. But you should decide if it is your only trip to the region. If so, I would choose 4 nights in Croatia and 7 nights all around Italy. If you plan to go back, I would do 5 nights in Croatia and 6 nights around Venice, Verona, Lake Garda for example.

Hey everyone - thanks so much for the help!

I don't think I'll ever make it back to Croatia, and using your advice, I simplified it to:

Arrive Zagreb; 2.5 bus to Plitvice park. 1 night.

Sunday Plitvice then afternoon 2.5 hr bus to Split. 2 nights (Sun/Mon)

Tue 5 hr bus to Dubrovnik. 3 nights.

Fri 9 AM flight to Rome. 3 nights (Fri-Sun).

Mon 5 hr train to Venice, stay 2 nights until my Wed departure.

Any better?

Much better. While in Dubrovnik, take in Lokrum Island. Just a 20 minute boat ride, lots of beach areas. We also took a day trip to Mostar from Dubrovnik.

Yes, that's much better. Our favorite day trip from Dubrovnik was to Montenegro, specifically the Bay of Kotor. Possibly the most beautiful place on earth! There are several bus tours you can take, or rent a car, or hire a driver. Make sure to bring your passport, as you have a border crossing.

I think you will enjoy that much more and not be rushed