I'm thinking of taking Rick Steves' Adriatic Tour in 2014, and I'm trying to decide on how to extend it by 6-7 days. The tour ends in Dubrovnik on the morning of Day 14. I'd like to do a day trip to Montenegro on that day, and then leave Dubrovnik on Day 15. I'm thinking of eventually heading back to Ljubljana, where the tour starts, to save a little on airfare. How does this sound: Day 15 - Travel from Dubrovnik to Sarajevo (2 hours bus to Ploce, then 4 hours train to Sarajevo) Day 16 - Sarajevo Day 17 - Sarajevo Day 18 - Travel to Zagreb (9 hours train) Day 19 - Zagreb Day 20 - Travel to Ljubljana (2.5 hours train)
Day 21 - Fly home to USA If I cut that back by one day, I'd eliminate one day in Sarajevo. Is this a reasonable and worthwhile itinerary? I'd love to hear other suggestions. Would it be reasonable and worthwhile in the same amount of time to head to Bulgaria, spend time in Plovdiv, visit Rila Monastery, and fly out of Sofia?
Posted by
Honolulu/Seattle, HI/WA, USA
2787 posts
I took that tour during June and July of this year. We spent time before the trip and came home right after the trip was over. We visited Zagreb where we had never been before and glad we did even though it was 98*F for the 3 nights we were there. In reading lots of information and talking to other tour members and just getting a taste of Dubrovnik, I wish we would have had an extra couple of days to stay there. Hope this little bit of input helps some.
Posted by
Washington DC Region, USA
7054 posts
Sarajevo is definitely worthwhile (I would not cut any days, else it will be too rushed), but how about axing a 9 hour train ride to Zagreb and taking a short flight instead? It probably won't cost a lot. That would give you more time in Zagreb. While I've never been to Zagreb, I bet that the additional time spent there has higher value than a very long train ride on an old Bosnian train (having been on one departing from Sarajevo, I wouldn't rush to do it again - nothing horrible, but it just took a long time and went through a lot of dark tunnels). Glad you're going to Mostar on the tour - it's a gem.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32357 posts
Lane, I've been looking at that tour for the last two years, but have taken others instead. The main problem is getting out of Dubrovnik at the end of the tour, as some of the budget airlines only have seasonal service there, which ends about Sept. 2. I usually prefer to travel in the fall, so that's a problem. Either of the options you mentioned sound good, but I agree with Agnes that a 9 hour trip on a Bosnian train probably won't be the most pleasant experience. Which one to choose will depend on which one interests you the most. Given your location, you could always take the short drive to Edmonds and have a chat with Rick's travel experts. They might be able to provide some reasons why one option might be better than the other. Good luck!
Posted by
Fort Collins, co
125 posts
Advice please on where to fly from back to US from the Adriatic tour. Budget airline from Debrovnick to Zagreeb and the. To US?
Posted by
2542 posts
@Patricia: Have you checked Croatia Airlines? Edit: We flew from Dubrovnik on Croatia Airlines to Zagreb and spent the night before taking a Delta flight back to the U.S. That was the cheapest and easiest way home. You can find flights by looking at the websites of the various airports that might work for you.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32357 posts
@Patricia, I haven't checked, but I suspect that direct flights to the U.S. from Croatia are going to be VERY few. You'll likely have to take a regional flight from Croatia to one of the larger airports (FRA, MXP, CDG, LHR, ZRH or AMS) in order to connect with a flight to the U.S. Cheers!
Posted by
Williamstown, MA
260 posts
Hi. I'm going on this tour as well. Would be curious about where to go for a couple of days before the trip begins in Ljubljana. Vienna? I see that's one of the few places where you can easily take train to Ljuliana. Or Zagreb?
Posted by
2542 posts
@Laura: You might consider Zagreb. We really enjoyed our time there.