Best of Adriatic Qs and Advice

Cost: This is a tough one because it assumes you can replicate the same experience independently. You can’t. There are aspects of a RS tour that are unique. Generally, you could go to the same places independently and spend less, but you won’t be having the same experience. Some of the features of this tour add a great deal of depth to the experience. For example, the local guide in Mostar grew up there during the war. I’ve taken this specific tour and 4 others and find that I do not spend a great deal more money while on tour than the cost of the tour. The only “add ons” are for the meals not covered by the tour and any costs associated with how you choose to spend the free time portion of the day.
Time: There is free time scheduled into most days and I never felt rushed regarding any meal. There is even a “vacation from vacation” day in this tour that is entirely yours to do with as you please.
Location: location is truly the strength of Rick Steves tours. Hotels are always central and near key sites. There was a short 10 minute bus ride in Dubrovnik, but that is due to the nature of the town vs. tour philosophy.
There are no add ons. A clear list of what is included is in the tour description.
Travel insurance is up to the individual to obtain. Thankfully, I have never had to make a claim.

I loved this tour! I don’t think you will be disappointed if you take it.

I have attached links to two scrapbooks that tour participants made last year. These might be helpful in giving you an idea of what happens on a tour.
https://lagrai.wixsite.com/adriatic-adventures
https://cvonrubio.wixsite.com/bestoftheadriatic

Hi Debra,

I’m an experienced traveler and have taken some RS tours followed by thirteen years of planning my own itineraries. During the independent trips, my husband came with me, I traveled solo or last year my adult daughter came with me. All to say, I have a variety of travel pricing and solid ideas of pros & cons of a RS tour vs. traveling independently. (I can travel independently for 1/2 to 2/3 the cost of a tour, counting all meals, excellent activities, nice lodging, all transportation- even all gelato!)

The reason for the preface is that I went on the RS Adriatic tour a few months ago in June as a solo traveler. I don’t rent cars in Europe, and there was no way that I could have easily completed the places I really wanted to see without a lot of crazy logistics, There was a lot of bus time during this RS tour, but it still was much more efficient than trying to do it without a tour.

Carol mentioned several positives of taking this specific tour. I agree with her comments. In my tour, we had a tour leader who was also fantastic! Mariam was very enthusiastic & very competent and fun to be around! And I had a very nice group of people in the tour! I will also add the link to my recent trip report to give you a better idea of it.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/trip-reports/june-2023-trip-report-14-day-rs-best-of-the-adriatic-tour

And to answer your questions:
1. Cost: 1/2 to 2/3’s but the itinerary isn’t convenient as an independent
2. Shopping - I’m not a shopper, but there was time in Ljubljana, Split, Korcula & Dubrovnik for sure.
3. The hotels were fairly close. Dubrovnik’s required a bus, and Split’s was a 10-minute walk.
4. No meals were rushed, and Mariam’s recommendations were excellent!
5. There weren’t any excursions “add-on’s” needed. (Note in my trip report that I did go on my own to Hvar Island.)
6. I purchased travel insurance mainly for medical emergencies/evacuation. Probably through Allianz or Travel Guard; I’ve used both but never needed to make a claim.
7. Our group were mostly retired or within ten years of being retired, plus a few younger people.

What's Included
You'll get at least 20 group sightseeing events — at no extra cost!
Here's what you'll see and do on our Best of the Adriatic tour:
Ljubljana walking tour Bled Castle Kobarid Museum Slovenian wine tasting Pula walking tour Pula amphitheater Rovinj Opatija Plitvice Lakes National Park Split walking tour Diocletian's Palace Stolac walking tour Mostar walking tour Mostar mosque and Old Bridge Serbian Orthodox Monastery Korčula orientation Korčula boat cruise Croatian family farm visit Dubrovnik walking tour Dubrovnik walls entrance
Plus you'll get all this, too.
A small, friendly group of 24–28 people — half the size of most tour groups
Full-time services of a professional Rick Steves guide and local experts who will make the fascinating history, art, and culture of the Adriatic come alive for you
All group transportation from Ljubljana, Slovenia, to Dubrovnik, Croatia
13 nights' accommodations in memorable, centrally located hotels
All breakfasts and half your dinners
All tips for guides and driver
A tour kit including a guidebook (when available) and a moneybelt
Guaranteed tour price, locked in the moment you make your deposit
Tour alum discount of $50 for each tour you've taken with us
Flexibility should you need to transfer or cancel your tour

Fine print: You are responsible for the cost of your drinks and free-time sightseeing. See our Tour Conditions for important details regarding everything listed above.

Group sightseeing events subject to change.
https://www.ricksteves.com/tours/croatia/adriatic-tour-2023

5-Was there any excursions that were "add ons" at a cost that were not disclosed prior to departure?

The only extra cost excursions would be those you chose to do in your free time.
There are no compulsory 'add-ons'

I haven’t been on the tour but try to travel to Croatia every year to visit family. I’ve looked at the itinerary and agree with other posters - it is so much easier with the tour group and bus. Transportation in Croatia is not the best.
To duplicate this tour you would need to take buses and ferries and maybe even rent a car. I would then recommend you purchase bus and ferry tickets in advance, on-line, to guarantee you get seats when needed. Do buses and ferries sell out - who knows, I wouldn’t want to take that chance (I purchased our ferry tickets for October in August). But remember, your needed time might not be available, whereas the tour bus is always there. Also, you need to book a rental car early too because automatics are limited.
The lodgings booked for the tour have been vetted - you would need to do in depth research as many places along the coast are small with shared bathrooms and weak a/c - we have one like that on Korčula.

Yes, it is easy to drive in Croatia on the highways, but driving in the small cities with the hills and narrow streets that could be two way even though you hardly fit through, and looking for a garage to park, which aren’t cheap, is a nightmare. We drive from Rijeka and always return our car at the Split airport, then take a taxi to our hotel, then ferry to Korčula and Dubrovnik.
If needed, we re-rent the car when leaving Dubrovnik. We book our cars as soon as we book our plane tickets.
Anyway, you get the idea. In my opinion, this tour itinerary is excellent and a better use of your time.

We did the Best of the Adriatic in June and loved it. It was our first RS tour. To answer some of your questions:

1. Being Canadians, the cost was VERY high. But we can see that it is absolutely value for money. There were several experiences we just wouldn't have been able to replicate if we were trying to do it independently (and we have lots of experience planning independent trips).
   
2. There's lots of free time. I would have preferred more in Rovinj, but you won't feel short of time to poke around shops and wander on your own.
3. Location of the hotels was good. In Dubrovnik we were given a bus pass but many of our tour mates walked back. It was way too hot for me to do so.
4. Never felt rushed at meal times.
5. No add on expenses or options.
6. We had insurance but thankfully didn't need it for any reason.
7. DH was the youngest tour participant at 52. Its only a guess but I'd say our tour mates ranged from late fifties to 75. I could be wrong as I didn't ask them. The oldest couple was more fit than me.

You said you are "energetic" gals, and you'll need to be on this tour! I couldn't recommend it more highly and if you book I hope you get Sanel as your guide.

Note that you will have to carry your luggage yourself. I don't remember if any of the hotels on that tour lacked elevators, but you would have to carry it yourself.

I only mention this because it has been mentioned as a deal-breaker on occasion.

Also related to”add ons” - Tipping is not allowed on Rick Steves tours. RS pays all guides, drivers, etc. a proper wage and/or tip for you (built into the cost of the tour). Most other tour companies expect you to tip the tour manager and driver, usually an amount of $10-$15 per day, so this represents a significant “add on.” This is one of many reasons I prefer RS tours.

You have had some excellent replies.
I have not taken this particular tour, but I have taken 4 other RS tours and I have self planned 4 European trips.

If I were to travel with 2 of my girlfriends, I would insist it be with a tour. The tour can balance out any travel style mismatches you have with each other. I think I would find myself being the mean task master on a self planned trip with friends.

I found that I spent just as much money on 2 of my independent trips because I spent a lot hiring reputable guides for historical sites. Part of the reason I travel is for my own education. I am wondering if the people that say they can travel at 1/2 the cost are hiring guides. In my opinion, the RS guides are the number one reason to take a tour.

Renting a car in a country with signs not in English and the challenging circumstances of narrow roads and tiny underground garages takes a lot of energy.

Hi Debra,
I just went on this tour beginning June 27 this year.
The tour was fabulous! We had plenty of time to look around and / or shop on our own. The hotels were all centrally located, and we had a fantastic tour guide in Sanel. The advice he provided was priceless- especially in Plitvice which was very, very crowded. Sanel had us start where most people end their tour of the lakes which let us have the paths mostly to ourselves in the morning. I’m sure all of the RS guides are as good.
The tour is expensive, but worth every penny. We couldn’t have seen so much on our own.
I purchased health insurance but not travel insurance.
I will say that you will need to be fairly active to go on this tour and enjoy it. I’m 62 and use a cane because I have a big limp but despite that I am a pretty good walker. According to my fitbit I averaged 20,000 steps per day- so there’s a lot of walking but do-able.
The youngest on our tour was 16, the oldest probably 80 with the average being 58 or so at a guess. You won’t feel too old. The Adriatic tour was my 10th Rick Steves tour and they are mostly full of older (like me) energetic people!
You’ll love the tour. Read some of the reviews and have fun. I think May would be a nice time to go.
Cheryl

Thank you everyone for all this valuable information. Really appreciate all your input. Booked the RS tour today.
Happy Travels,
Debra

Hope you and your friends have a great time, I think you’ll love it- I sure did!
Cheryl

”Booked the RS tour today.” - yeah! Have a great time!

I went on this tour in 2007 on the very first one. Even with the expected “bumps” in the schedule have an unvetted itinerary, we had a STELLAR time and I would highly recommend it to anyone! My husband and I traveled on our own using RS books for 25 years and decided to try one of his tours to “celebrate” our early retirement at 50. Our first one was a city trip (Berlin, Prague and Vienna”) and we were so delighted that we signed up for the Adriatic when given the chance.

When we are traveling somewhere where RS has a tour, we almost always sign up.

The books are great and show you that you can travel independently. The tours give you an enhanced experience because of the stellar guides and the great travel companions! On more than on occasion, we have traveled with those people again. Some have become friends for life.