Croatian Honeymoon

Hi Annie,

I went back to check our photos from our October trip to Croatia and Slovenia in 2005. It was a great time of year to be there--not too chilly--we wore sweaters and jackets on some days. The fall colors were really beautiful (especially Lake Bled in Slovenia) and the markets with fall produce were very colorful. In addition to Dubrovnik, Split, and Trogir we went to the island of Korcula. It was mid-October and the restaurants were closing for the season. I think that ferry service during that time is probably less frequent. All in all, it was a memorable trip!

I did a similar trip in late September/early October 2008, the difference being that I had 3 weeks and circled back to Rome. The weather was nice most days, but evenings started to get cool as I moved north in Croatia. With 2 weeks, you might consider the following itinerary, flying into Rome and back from Split: Rome, Sorrento as base for Amalfi Coast, train to Bari and overnight ferry to Dubrovinik, and finally Split with day trip to Plitivice and maybe an overnight to Hvar. If you want to add one more stop, I would suggest an overnight in Mostar between Dubrovnik and Split. Ferry service drops dramatically after September 30, so you'll need to plan any leg involving a ferry carefully. In 2008, Jadrolinija continued catamaran service between Split and Hvar into October, but it only ran once a day (mid morning to - very early next morning back). Best to rent a car for the day trip to Plitvice. Of course, you could always do this trip in reverse if that worked better (ticket prices and ferry schedules). Feel free to send me a PM if you have any specific questions.

Last September we flew from Rome to Split in about an hour on Croatian Airlines for about $100 apiece. If that flight is still available, it'll save you precious time. In Croatia, you could spend a night in Split, maybe a couple of nights on Korcula (you should see an island!), and some time in Dubrovnik. It depends on what you're looking for -- if you like sightseeing, or night life, or are just looking to relax. If the latter, we love staying in Cavtat, which is a few miles south of Dubrovnik, right near the Dubrovnik airport.

But I could make a case for just staying in Italy, too. Three or four days each in Rome and Sorrento, maybe a couple in Orvieto and Florence. Or go to romantic Venice and fly home from there. You have lots of choices!

I spent one week on the Alamfi coast in September of 2009 and 1 week in Croatia May of 2008.
What lovely areas to visit
I took a train from Rome to Sorrento and stayed there for a couple days.
Just be careful when changing trains in Naples

I loved Sorrento. I took a train to Pompeii and spent 6 hrs walking around seeing all the ruins
I had thought I would only spend a few hrs there but the time flew by.
You never know about the weather. It was 95 in Sorrento-- hot and humid .
Lots and lots of tourists. I also spent a couple days in the town of Alamfi
I was in the Umbria region and took the train to Anconia and the night boat to Split
It was around 100 euro 1 way so if you could get a cheap flight to Dubrovnik, that would be better.
I loved Croatia. Dubrovnik is worth 2 days and nights.
Went to an island for the day
From there took a bus up to Plitivice Nat'l Park.
That was one on the most awesome places I have been too and I have traveled Europe for the past 8 years
The waterfalls are spectacular!
Italy is my favorite place to visit but Croatia was wonderful too.

we went in mid sept ending on oct 3. wore a light jacket some days and at night. only had one downpour. dubrovnik was still 80 degrees and the rest in the 70's. loved it at that time of year because crowds were lighter. my favs were plitvice, dubrovnik, split, hvar, krka.

Thank you so much everyone! I think for logistical purposes we are just going to stick to Italy. We decided we didn't want to rush around the entire honeymoon, so we will plan a separate trip next year for Croatia and Slovenia!

Good idea Annie. I was in Italy with a small group of friends and we had 16 days. We spent 5 days in the Amalfi Coast, traveled to Tuscany and rented a farmhouse and car for a week and then the remaining time in Rome. You really need at least 4 days to do Rome.
Hope this helps.

Hi Annie!

My fiance and I are also planning on going to Croatia for our honeymoon, but we'll be heading over late May/early June 2011. We're also thinking about staying a few nights in Venice and then taking a ferry over to Croatia, but logistics haven't been figured out just yet. Any helpful hints about planning would be great if you don't mind.

You can still swim in early October! We love to go in Sept/Oct when the tourists are lighter. Evenings can be cool, so bring a wrap. Just be aware that ferry service to the islands changes and is less frequent. Very easy to get a room in Hvar at that time of year for a song, too. You'll pay 75% less than you would in Italy for comparable stay. Toward the middle of October it gets colder, rainier and windier, but early is usually just lovely. I love Zadar, Sibenik and islands nearby like Prvic, also Primosten, Trogir, Split, Hvar, Korcula.