Best of Adriatic - Waitlist

This is such a great tour - probably my favorite! We went last October and some restaurants and activities were starting to shut down for the season. We were lucky to dodge some pretty crummy weather by a day or so. That being said, we still had a great time, but I don't think I would roll the dice on another October trip there. I'm sure others will chime in, but I don't think crowds will be any better in September than August. For Europe, I don't think September is off season anymore. As with other RS tours we have been on, the guide was a master with timing and advice to minimize the effects of crowded areas. As far as heat, the hotels we had all had A/C so that was a plus.

Regarding the waitlist, there really is no way to know. We have been both successful and unsuccessful with getting a spot that way. When spots open up though, the email goes out to everyone on the waitlist at the same time, so you want to be quick to respond if you'd like to change tours. Set a notice for new emails and respond quickly if that's what you want. I think cancellations are more likely leading up to the final payment date for the tours.

Whichever tour date you end up on, I would bet you will have a fabulous time!

Now I would take September over August, but if that’s your only choice, I’d go for it because the swimming is so appealing in August. The only thing I lament about shoulder season travel is that the sea has been absolutely frigid on all of my May visits. I’d jump at the chance to go at least once in summer so I could enjoy those clear seas.

We were in that area on a Viking Cruise that started towards the end of August. It was hot, but I prepared for hot. I did lots of linen and sun hats. I brought and used Liquid IV. I did fine, it did make the ocean and pool quite appealing! We didn't get any rain. When it gets toward fall there can be more rain. Honestly, I don't think those cities would be any less busy in September.

EDITED TO ADD: Now, I'm looking at this tour! @ Lisuza, do the accommodations tend to have pools?

Thank you all for your replies! I'm really looking forward to it whether we stick with the August date or move to September. The itinerary looks amazing. We've traveled to Europe several times on our own but this is the first organized tour we will take. A friend recommended Rick Steves tours so we are taking that leap!

Not trying to dissuade you from a tour, but just know that Croatia is an exceedingly easy country to explore, just something to consider if that gives you better timing options.
I found English more widely spoken than in Spain, Greece, or Italy for example, and the transit is a snap for moving along the coast.

@valadelphia, I’ve looked at visiting this area a few times, and on the RS itinerary we have done Spilt and Dubrovnik. It seemed to me, however, that traveling between the countries wasn’t necessarily easy. I looked at it doing public transportation and then with a car.

I’m not sure what you mean—traveling between what countries?
I think a tour is totally worth it if you want the camaraderie and quality guide experience, but for logistics, I maintain that Croatia is pretty easy. It was only the second trip I ever took, and if I could do it (23 years ago, three times since)— really anyone can!
Feel free to ask about any other transit in Croatia, I’ve got the ferry companies memorized still since I want to go back again!

@Valadelphia, the Best of Adriatic tour goes to Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and I think Italy (I'm not completely familiar with the Italian border in the Istria area). I spent some time looking at this a few years ago. Public transportation between the countries isn't the greatest and creating a loop in order to start and end in the same city for a rental car wasn't easy.

I have only done one RS tour and one cruise, and we have traveled independently all over Europe. I do agree that many of the countries are easy to do without a tour.

Oh gotcha, I was stuck on travel within Croatia itself, including neighboring countries can be more time consuming for sure. Possible, just not at the same pace! Beautiful region

A friend and I did this tour starting August 24, 2025. Loved every minute of it. Our guide Sanil was the best. There were two days when it was quite hot; one was in Dubrovnik and the other was in Kotor (we spent 5 days in Montenegro post tour). I too would not have the end of August/beginning of September as my first choice of time to go but it turned out great. I always carry a water bottle with me. Also the guides always tried to provide some shade when they were stopping to speak or show something. Enjoy! Regina

@Bruffino - I just posted an update in this forum about my own experiences with wait-lists. Different tour, but should give you some insight. My advice - you have to act fast! We got two wait-list tours, and in both cases, we reacted to the email within 15 minutes. And by 'reacted' - I mean, I dropped everything, and booked using my phone's browser when I was out driving (having pulled over :) ). I turned on email notifications so I got an alert for every email (which is annoying, but it brought to my attention the Rick Steves email!).

Be aware there are cancelation penalties and deposit issues to consider; you may or may not be subject to those.

I did this tour September 1 to 14 in 2024. It was one of the best of the 10 tours I've been on! Yes, it was hot but I do not remember it being unbearable. Every hotel had A/C except for the one at the Plitvice Lakes National Park. I slept with the windows open which helped but when the lights went on the room filled with the biggest moths I've ever seen and I'd wished I'd kept the windows shut!

The hardest thing about the heat is it is exhausting and on uneven terrain and hills in the heat it can be a challenge. If an opening becomes available for September I would definitely consider taking it. I would not have wanted it to be hotter than it was for my first 2 weeks in September. Good luck!