Ok, so clearly me and my 15 year old daughter have travel planning mania here, BUT, we really want to see Croatia (the other half of my genes come from there). Currently have flight into Rome 8:30 am arrival, out of Venice - 1030 am, so are we crazy to try this? The flight to Split and then to Venice is only about $150 and since we eliminate trains it may be a near wash and for what I spent on airfare its a drop in the bucket anyway. Keep in mind that its very likely we will be able to come back for one or both Italy and Croatia for 3 weeks in the next 2-3 years and may look at this as a "whirlwind" tour option to see what we want to do for the longer trip that would include rest of family. I just spoke with a friend who did an organized tour into England, to Switzerland, to Venice, to Italy in 7 days!!. Not that I want to do something that crazy plus of course I'm sure the operator had it down pat. AND note that I am not intending to keep posting crazy ideas forever, its either this or the classic Rome-Florence-Venice option as I would think I need to secure rooms ASAP as we leave 7/15/19!!!
Day 1- Into Rome at 8:30 am, stay near Spanish steps, half day Rome (jet lag be dammed)
Day 2 - Explore Rome
Day 3 - Explore Rome (that's 3.5 days Rome)
Day 4 - Fly to Split (leave Rome 630 am - yep-no sleep), get most of day in Split if we can stay awake :)
Day 5 - Explore Split / Region
Day 6- Explore Split / Region (3 days Split)
Day 7- Fly Split to Venice - lands at 900 am
Day 8 - Explore Venice
Day 9 - Fly out of Venice 1030 am (2 days Venice)
SLEEP on plane and the next 2 days at home
I realize it may be a bit crazy (but well so am I) and my daughter being totally up for it, in fact after I just threw it out there, she said "we have to do that" AND noting we are both very high energy people, I would love honest opinions on feasibility. Biggest concern for me is traveling to and from Airport but since flights are so early were really just sacrificing sleep time and would have time loss due to trains from Rome to Florence to Venice anyway? I'm thinking net time might be close?
Posted by
Maryland
913 posts
"Seeing" Croatia in only several days will not do it justice. And access can be by ferry or air, but each way takes time. Our experience last year suggests that Dubrovnik airport is not much in the "on time" mode. If you hope to come back next year enjoy your Rome-Florence-Venice segments. That is already a "whirlwind" tour by most standards without additions.
Posted by
Portland, Oregon
5687 posts
There is so much more to see in Italy - please don't waste much of a day on your very short time over there just getting to Split and back. Croatia is lovely - worth a lot more time than you are giving it just for one city (which wasn't even my favorite). This trip, spend more time in Italy. Venice deserves more than two days too.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7054 posts
If it's either this trip or the "classic Rome-Florence-Venice option", I say go for the second option. Especially since you know you can be back and see more of Croatia than just one city/area. I think the excitement of getting a "taste" of Croatia is overwhelming reason and better judgment. The zigzagging and getting up at the crack of dawn will wear you down, even if you're an Energizer Bunny. So I would vote for the less emotionally thrilling but, in the end, probably more satisfying trip option. If the thought of that bums you out, then I think you're meant to go with Option #1, reason be damned (and it's feasible even though not entirely advisable). I think a better trip means doing a little bit of less crazy things like wasting too much time in transit and foregoing sleep.
Whatever you choose, you sure sound like you'll have a blast doing it! So that's great.
Posted by
Colorado Mountains, USA
8027 posts
Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do. And some might suggest that you never know what’ll happen tomorrow, or 2 months from now, or 2 years from now, and if you don’t do it now, you may never get another opportunity. Having been to Europe quite a few times now, I’m savoring more time in fewer places at a time lately, but the early trips went to more places for shorter times in each place, and the experiences and memories were still priceless. What works for someone else might not be your first choice, and vice versa.
If you can squeeze in a taste of Croatia (Split and nearby Solin were both great, and I still think about the amazing squid ink pasta for dinner 15 years ago), and you’ve got a bargain airfare that will whisk you there and back (factoring in the time necessary to meet check-in requirements and make it thru security and baggage check and reclaim, etc.), then go for it, and be grateful that you have the time and the means to have the trip of your dreams. Rick Steves says “assume you will return,” but until you do, if there’s a “must see” place, go there when you have the opportunity. Having extra time is always better than not enough time, but you only get as much vacation as you get, so use it how it suits you. And hopefully you’ll have more chances to return again and again. No bad choices, either way, though. There’s always something you’ll miss, but that’s the reason to come back another time. Happy travels!
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11831 posts
Day 1- Into Rome at 8:30 am, stay near Spanish steps, half day Rome (jet lag be dammed)
Day 2 - Explore Rome
Day 3 - Explore Rome (that's 3.5 days Rome)
No that is 2 full days plus arrival day where you might get a half day in but may not remember anything about it.
We went to Split, Korcula, and Dubrovnik over the course of 8 nights. Split is pretty and interesting, Korcula unique, Dubrovnik was, IMO, meh. I doubt we will ever go back to Croatia.
Venice is fabulous and we go there over and over. Have been 11 times now. I would not shortchange my time in Venice for time in Croatia.
Posted by
OP
Beulah, CO
19 posts
WOW, everyone, thanks so much, such great points to think about and thanks for pointing out my mistake, its only 2.5 days in Rome, well we have a lot to think about today, then its on to commit to a plan and secure lodging which Im assuming is needed for high season? Seriously, thanks again all for taking the time to write such helpful responses, this is such a great resource.
Posted by
Edmonds, WA 🌨 ☂
12028 posts
Adding on to Laurel's comment about your 'math', I would point out ( hoping to be helpful) that you really have only 2 and a fraction days in Split and one and a fraction days in Venice.
And you are correct that getting rooms for this July, needs to be done SOON.