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Itinerary review for Sarajevo-Croatia-Slovenia (Soca Valley?)

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Cross-posting this across Croatia/Slovenia/Bosnia-Herzegovenia forums for visibility. My last trip through Croatia was such a blast, I’m going back to revisit some highlights and add a few more. This is a solo trip at the end of June. I feel pretty good about most of my plan, but I am torn on a couple options. Would love to hear some thoughts, both objective and subjective.

Itinerary is A:
Sarajevo: 4 nights
Zagreb: 2 nights
Rovinj: 3 nights
Piran: 2 nights
Kobarid/Soca Valley: 2 nights
Ljubljana: 3 nights
Pros: Soca Valley sounds beautiful and I’m interested in the WWI sites, Kobarid and its monastery particularly. I would be driving this leg, renting in Piran/Portoroz, and could include a stop at Skocjan en route. Cons: Two 2-night stands in a row. It’s also not that long really (an afternoon/day/morning). I’m not thrilled about driving, but I’ve done it before. The driving itself seems not bad, and I would avoid Triglav pass to get to Ljubliana.

Itinerary B
(Eliminate Kobarid and split those 2 nights between Piran and Ljubljana)
Sarajevo: 4 nights
Zagreb: 2 nights
Rovinj: 3 nights
Piran: 3 nights
Ljubljana: 4 nights
Pros: No driving, rather rely on public transport and see mostly the same things via daytrips from either Piran or Ljubliana. Cons: Long day trips to see Julian Alps/SocaValley/Kobarid and/or caves. Missing out on more relaxed hiking/nature time.

Itinerary C
(5 nights in Sarajevo and 3 nights in Piran)
Sarajevo: 5 nights
Zagreb: 2 nights
Rovinj: 3 nights
Piran: 3 nights
Ljubljana: 3 nights
Pros: An extra night in Sarajevo will ensure a day trip to Mostar, which is not necessarily in my 4 night plan. It’s doubtful I’d get this way again, so 5 nights is extra safe. Nights are balanced, and can still arrange a day trip to one of the caves from Piran if I want. Cons: Is a crowded Mostar day trip in the summer a good enough reason to blow up Itinerary A or B? Is 5 nights in Sarajevo just too long anyway?

I guess the big question is “How hard should I be trying to fit in Soca Valley?” and how the stress around renting/driving in this area stacks up. Even reading the many fine trip reports, it’s hard to get a sense of this.

I’m also not sure how I’m getting from Sarajevo to Zagreb at the moment, but Funkytours (which seems to have a good reputation) has a ground transport tour option. This is a 12-hour(!) drive with many stops along the way. It doesn’t seem like it would be much different cost-wise from a plane ticket, and sounds like a cool opportunity to see some sights in the Bosnian countryside with a knowledgeable guide. But 12 hours? Convince me either way…

Posted by
2143 posts

Rovinj and Piran are both Venetian towns with 13,000 and 4,000 residents, respectively. Really similar in many ways. I would pick sleepy Piran for 2-3 nights. Piran is an amazing place. I wanted to swim at a beach when there and the Hotel Fiesa— about a half-mile hike from Piran’s piazza— has a beautiful beach with emerald-green water.

Then I would add three nights in a town near Lake Bohinj like Ribcev Laz or Ukanc, to the two nights in Kobarid that you already have.

Zagreb is worth three nights and Ljubljana two nights.

This gives you three nights in a Venetian Adriatic town and five nights in Triglav National Park and the Julian Alps.

Posted by
4945 posts

Tough decisions. I haven’t been to the Soca Valley nor Piran, so I can’t help with that comparison. But here are a few other random thoughts.

  1. Sarajevo is definitely worth 4 nights. But if you move fast, it’s possible you could see it somewhat well in 2 full days and give Mostar a day trip without adding a night. That is faster than I like, but sometimes you can’t have it all.
  2. I haven’t not been to Mostar in the summer - only in the fall - so I can’t speak to crowds. Mostar is fascinating, though.
  3. There are flights Sarajevo to Zagreb - and yes, probably about the same cost as a private transfer (if you have to pay to check a bag). But you would actually save a half day by flying for whatever is already on your itinerary. Driving would be great but some of those sights would have to replace whatever you are looking at now. I do love Bosnia.
  4. Funky Tours is good - I know Dave used them and I used them for one day trip. But my heart belongs to TourMage. lol. I have used them on two trips for a variety of things and enjoyed every guide, driver, and experience. They also have a private transfer and can tailor things to your specifications. https://tourmage.ba/tour/sarajevo-zagreb-transfer/
  5. With this struggle, I think I would ask what you want to see in Rovinj. As much as I loved it, it seems it might be easier to get back to and not fit as well.
  6. 3 nights would be plenty for me in Ljubljana (unless I was staying a week).

Hope I didn’t make a hard choice harder. :)

Posted by
1052 posts

I really appreciate the feedback! It all helps. Missing context: my last trip included the Dalmatian coast, with stops in Zagreb and Ljubljana. So, Sarajevo and Rovinj are kind of the primary objectives here. I had a full day in Zagreb and several in Ljubljana, and enjoyed them so much that I’ve included them again. I like where I’m at with those two cities.

Piran provides a logical logistical step besides just more beach/relaxation (which I discovered in Dalmatia was also something I enjoyed!) Especially if I end up renting a car, I’d really need to pick that up in Slovenia vs Croatia. @Kenko, you describe Piran so nicely I’m leaning towards the third night there! @TexasTravelMom, I think you’re right and that can probably fit a day trip to Mostar in there. Perhaps TourMage has something that fits. Thank you.

Posted by
4945 posts

It’s tough. All those places are great (even the ones I haven’t been to yet - ha!). You have good reasons for all your stops. I often do what others might consider “off the wall” stops but I always have a reason (that might not apply to anyone else).

And yes, Tour Mage can do a lot of different options - even things not on their website. Here’s their Mostar tour. https://tourmage.ba/tour/mostar-tour/

If you have time and inclination, I have taken the Grand Tour twice. And would take it again. And the Yellow Fortress at sunset is cool. Last time I was there during Ramadan - it was really memorable.

Ok, I will quit now. Ha!

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