Hi everyone! This is my first post in the forum; apologies in advance for any errors. I am planning a two week trip to Northern Italy and Croatia for summer 2027. We will be a party of 10 with ages 15-78. The idea is to fly into Milan, spend 1 week in Italy and then spend 1 week in Croatia. In Italy we would like to see Milan and Lake Como, with a possible day trip to Bologna (we have some foodies). There are a few of us that would like to break off for a Dolomites trip (while the parents stay in Como). In Croatia, we would like to see Plitvice and Krka National Parks, Dubrovnik, and anything else we can fit! Is this itinerary too much? Should we start in Croatia vs Italy? We are in the beginning stages of planning so open to anything. Thanks for any suggestions on itinerary, hotel, or transportation options!
Posted by
6801 posts
Parts of Italy and parts of Croatia can make a great combo, but with this pairing, you do lose substantial time in transit. I’d look at the travel specifics (google is relatively straightforward even for public transit times these days, but just ask if you have trouble sussing out the connections). Once you see exactly what you are in for, you might consider pairing closer parts of Croatia.
Posted by
10019 posts
Croatia is nice, especially Dubrovnik, Trogir and Split on the coast. You should know that the roads in Croatia are not as good as those in Italy or Germany.
Have you been to Venice, if not, DO NOT MISS it.
If you rent a car and rent it in Ital y and drop it in Croatia, there will likely be a huge drop charge.
Trains in Italy are really good and go to smaller cities, but not sure about Croatia, never used the train there.
With a party of 10, if you rent a car, you would need at least two cars. Not sure you could find a bus to rent for 10.
Posted by
985 posts
Welcome to the forum. Your question is absolutely a good one.
Honestly, I think it's a LOT of moving around with a big group in a relatively short period of time. I think you're wasting valuable vacation time and adding hassle. I have some random thoughts but this is my overarching thought.
I think the Como/Milan part makes sense but then you add two side trips in opposite directions. It's doable but it's just a lot.
In my experience it takes a long time to travel the length and breadth of Croatia so I wonder if the Croatia part of your plan might be a bit ambitious; especially with a bigger group. How are you planning on getting around? If it were me, and I had 10/8 people, I'd make sure all of my destinations were linked with good public transit. Driving in Croatia is easy but I don't even know if you'd be allowed to rent a single 10-person vehicle without a special license. So without transit, that leaves multiple vehicles or hiring a driver, which will get expensive quickly.
I randomly see that there's a direct flight from Bergamo to Dubrovnik on RyanAir, so maybe that's a way to connect the two. Summer is crowded so Plitvice will be a mob scene by 10am. If you absolutely must go there, I'd try to sleep nearby the night before. I've not been to Krka. Maybe that's a good substitute? I honestly don't know much about it.
I do know the challenge of planning a trip that satisfies so many different members of the group. It's really difficult and I don't envy you. I just think oftentimes less is more when planning a vacation; especially with a large group.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
26311 posts
We all wish we had more time, but life is what life it. Its doable. I can't help you with Italy, but maybe a little bit with Croatia. For Croatia having 10 in your group provides an advantage in travel costs; hire a driver with a van. Figure a two week trip is 16 days with the second weekend so
1 depart
2 arrive and see a little
3,4,5,6,7,8 see Croatia
9,10,11,12,13,14,15 see Italy
16 return
Or start in Italy doesnt matter. Plan around the best flights.
Then with you trusty driver / van reserved:
1 depart home
2 arrive Dubrovnik
3 in Dubrovnik
4 Dubrovik to Split in the morning
5 Split
6 Split to Plitvice in the late afternoon. There are some stops like Rastovača to use up the day.
7 Get up early do the Plitvice ordeal then drive to Rijeka
8 Rijeka
9 drive into Italy ....
Now I would swap a few days in the islands before I would to Plitvice, but you said Plitvice, so ......