My husband and I are signed up for the Best of Adriatic Tour for next October-starting the 6th. This will be our 9th tour; haven't taken one for a few years as we have done independent travel.
We have not purchased airline tickets yet as we want to figure out our before and after the tour plans. At first we were thinking we would just go to Montenegro after the tour was over-seems like from what I have read, that is what most people do. I have researched the forum; have contacted a few people about their travels (great info!) and now wondering? The weather and things being open are on our minds. The tour does not get over until mid-October; add days in Montenegro and now we are closer to the end of October. If we would start our trip with the idea of going directly to Dubrovnik and then travel around Montenegro, we could do that in mid-September (almost a month sooner). Then head to Ljubljana a few days before the tour begins and look around there. Tour ends, add a couple days in Dubrovnik and come home.
Has anyone done that? I have read about Mister E's contact for a travel person; would love to use her to help us plan our trip. (We don't want to drive so having someone else do that sounds awesome!) I just don't know how many days would be realistic and what cities to see.
Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
Cindy
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
24114 posts
People love this tour, but on paper for me it starts and ends in difficult places.
Montenegro, if you have seen my posts, I think is one of Europe's great treasures. I think mid-October is too late to do it justice, so yes, go before your tour. The good thing is the Dubrovnik airport is way south of Dubrovnik so not hard to reach from Montenegro and you don’t have to go to Dubrovnik. The bad thing is getting to Ljubljana is a flight to Zagreb and a bus. A lot of work, but for me, but maybe worth it for Montenegro.
Plan B saves the extension for the end of the tour and finishes the tour in Dubrovnik and then you head down the coast to Podgorica, with or without a night in Podgorica and a tour of Kotor; then WizzAir direct to Budapest in about 75 minutes. Spend as much time as you can in Budapest where the cooler weather wont detract from the enjoyment.
I would also say that October is not a bad time for the high country of Montenegro and for Bosnia & Herzegovina, but the RS tour messes up a good tour of Bosnia by cutting a bite out of Bosnia with Mostar. Otherwise, Dubrovnik to Mostar, then Sarajevo, then head west through Jayce and Travnik towards Zagreb. Some really interesting towns and amazing natural sights…..
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, USA
140 posts
Thanks, Mister E, for the reply. We kind of figured mid October was not a great time. I have read your posts and appreciate all that you contribute to the forum. I had hoped there would be better connections to get to Ljubljana, but I guess not. I agree the two cities for the tour aren’t the most convenient. Add on top of that for us is that San Diego is pretty terrible too. We end up driving to Los Angeles (about a 2 and 1/2 hour drive), pay to park our car (last October we were gone 30 days to Poland) and then drive home after being on a plane for 11-12 hours, ( and last year it took us 4 hours due to terrible traffic) Yikes!,
We have been to Budapest- 2 years ago and we used your ideas to help plan it. Loved the city.
Guess we will just keep researching and try to figure out a way.
Thanks again for your input.
Cindy
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
24114 posts
I revised my answer to you a bit. Just more info.
See where else you can get to from Dubrovnik and Podgorica, non-stop on a cheap flight. Somehting might open up that sounds interesting. Do the same out of Zagreb (so you can turn it around and use it on the way to Zagreb). I think there is a Malta to Zagreb flight for instance. I went to Malta two years ago and really liked it.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
24114 posts
Or if you want to go fly fishing .... I know a guy in Bosnia. .... October is a great time of the year and its an excuse to see some really interesting cities and towns. And I know a lady that can take care of the transfers.
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, USA
140 posts
Good idea, we will look and see where we could go. Have never been to Malta! Bosnia sounds interesting too. We have considered Sarajevo as a place to go, but couldn’t figure out where else. Fly fishing…..interesting.
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
24114 posts
Read my trip report. https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/fly-fishing-bosnia-herzegovina-5e8436c2-de0b-4e3f-b422-ce3a3037c63f. What isn't in it is much about Sarajevo or Jajce or Travnik because I visited those on previous trips [facinating!]. I try and go to BiH every 12 to 18 months. It's an incrediably interesting place. The highway goes from Sarajevo to Zagreb if you wanted to do this pre RS or post tour you go from Dubrovnik to the Kravica Waterfalls and Blagaj Dervish house and on to Travnik and Jajce and then Sarajevo.
Posted by
OP
San Diego, CA, USA
140 posts
If we did Bosnia after the tour, mid-October, would the weather be ok? I guess we could check some cities now as it would be about this time next year. So many places to go!! Love it! Still would like to figure out Montenegro as it’s been on our radar for quite some time. This is the third time we have signed up for the Adriatic tour- we had to cancel the first time, Rick Steves cancelled the second one due to Covid and now this is the third. Sure hope this is it!
Posted by
Republic of Texas / U.S.A. / Magyarország / Budapest
24114 posts
I've been to Bosnia in October and it was cool but not so cool that I couldn't stand in a river all day. But do check the stats. I like weatherspark com as they give you the averages for everything AND percentage bands which give you an idea of the possibility of above and below the averages.
I can't argue with you about Montenegro. It's the place I get most excited about. Go to weatherspark and take a look pre-RS tour. The one thing I would insist on is good odds to sit outside for dinner at the Hotel Conte in Perast and The Hotel Sokoline near the Ostrog Monastery.
I plan and decide from videos, so here are some on Montenegro: https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/montenegro/podgorica-to-dubrovnik-by-car. Oh, Dijana got a new phone number since that post +382 68 456 630. She might have some ideas for getting you from Montenegro to the start of the RS tour. That tour really ought to begin in Zagreb and not Ljubljana.