Dalmatia - Dubrovnik Region Travel Forum

Hello,
I am currently planning my honeymoon in Croatia. We will be there for 12 days, and will likely begin or end in Dubrovnik. I would like to do a combination of exploring cities, and having some relaxing time on islands/beaches or less populated areas. I don't mind traveling a bit, but I also don't want to be on the road too much. If I had to choose just a few places to stay and visit, what should they be? I would love any suggestions you have. (I recently started reading about Trogir, which sounds nice...) Thanks for your help!!

We spent 12 days there and covered miles. We flew into and out of Zagreb but if I could do it again I would have flown into or out of Zagreb and Dubrovnik. Our favorite was probably Vela Luka on Kocula. But if I was on my honeymoon....you have to go to Plicvice national park, Pula in Istria was nice, we rented a car and ferried through the islands and then drove up the coast.
Nice choice for a honeymoon.

oh yea, Krk on the island of Krk was one of our favorites also.

Hi! If you're not keen on spending too much time on the road and wish to begin or end your trip in Dubrovnik, I recommend you stay in Central&North Dalmatia; visit the islands Korcula- the city of Korcula is famous for its walls and you can swim there (if you stay for a few days you can take something like a taxi boat and go to any little island for almost a "robinson" day on the beach), Lumbarda is a nice little village not far from Korcula city. Then the island of Hvar; there are several places that you can stay in, I'd choose either Jelsa or Hvar. And for some unspoiled nature the National Park Mljet. It's an amazing place really unspoiled, called "the green island". All those islands are reachable from Dubrovnik. Also, you can fly to Split and take ferry down to Brac (one of the most famous beaches is there in Bol- Zlatni rat); Hvar, stay for a few days and continue to Korcula. The ferry from Korcula to Dubrovnik stops on Mljet. There are ferries and catamarans going btw these and you can check the timetable on www.jadrolinija.hr. You mentioned Trogir which is something sspecial, and if you want to see it I do suggest starting from Split as it's only 27km distance Split-Trogir and then contnuing over islands to Dubrovnik. If you have more questions do not hesitate to ask.

I honeymooned in Croatia and have returned twice. You probably want to narrow it down to three places.

Please answer the following:
Will you rent a car?
What time of year?--That is vital to know to answer further.

I echo the suggestion of Plitvice--but only if you can fly into Zagreb and out of Dubrovnik or vice versa.
You may also be able to fly into Dubrovnik and out of Split--that would be desirable also.

We will rent a car if we need to, although we probably wouldn't hold onto it the entire time. And, we are going first week of July - I know, it's the busy and expensive season!
Thanks!

When we were in Korcula it was invaded by a cruise ship and so we could not leave fast enough, ok stayed long enough for a gelato and a quick walk around. We had a car and we would drive a few hours and find a place that looked like home for the night and it worked out very well for us.
Zadar,(nice) trogir for a walk through kind of touristy to us, Vela Luka, lovely place, Blato walk through but cool little town,Orebic, great fun, Peljesac penninsula for the wine thing, Trstenik for a winery but too small and closed up in september, Ston, a must see, Zaton Velliki outside of Dubrovnik, great place, Knin, interesting, Duga Resa,also interesting, Plitvice over the top beautiful, Opatija, too touristy, Pula very cool, Porec beautiful, Premantura, quiet (at that time of the year) beautiful and a great restaurant, Krk on Krk, one of the best, Zagreb, met the best and nicest vters ever. OK we are adhd travelers!

As you know, July complicates things, but it is not impossible--the earlier the better though. Car rental is not necessary, but it helps to know if people prefer that. I think it is easier without.
Try to find a rental apartment in Dubrovnik above the old town with a balcony--the views are to die for.
After a few days in Dubrovnik, it is easy to move on to Korcula by bus or ferry--where there are secluded beaches to explore during the day while the town is crowded with cruise people. (Make reservations for dinner since town can be crowded, but I find it a wonderful place.) You can rent a car to get to these beaches the easiest (still have to do some walking through great scenery), but you can do it by bus and walking also).
In Korcula, it is also nice to rent an apartment just outside of town with a balcony overlooking the town, the mt across the sea--gorgeous!
Or, if you really want to get far away, from Vela Luka at the other end of Korcula, you can take a ferry or catamaran to Lastovo. Talk about less populated! There are small bays here, and nothing to do but walk around (renting a scooter is good idea) and enjoy the peace and beauty. But you still have an historic town too.
From Lastovo there are connections to Split. Split is a bustling city--good for something different. Explore the old neighborhoods. If you can fly open jaw out of Zagreb, I would next go to Plitvice. If you are returning to Dubrovnik, you may not want to do that much traveling, but it is possible.
I would skip Hvar in July.
Another possibility from Split is Vis. Great town, great views, great beaches, but you have to get there and back from Split only.
Trogir is nice, but can be very crowded as it is so tiny--you may want to search online for a very nice place to stay in advance. Drvenik Veli is a great day trip from there.

Maybe someone else can comment on places on the mainland to find peace.

If after reading about these places you have questions please ask, I have been very vague because sometimes I go on and on and never hear a reply, but these are the places I have found very relaxing and uncrowded and the most special to me after my visits to southern Dalmatia.

Thanks for all of you help. I am out of town for a few days (Vegas), but will start doing some major research when I get back! I will let you know what I decide, and I will probably have more questions.

Hi Everyone,

I have been occupied with lots of other things, but it is fast approaching summer so I really need to start planning the honeymoon! (I did book the tickets, in and out of Zagreb). If I fly into Zagreb and want to stop at Plitvice national park on the way to Dubrovnik, how should I do that? Train, drive? how far is the park from Zagreb?
Thanks.

You can drive to Plitvice or take a bus from Zagreb, the distance is approx 140km. If you wanna see the road route go to www.viamichelin.com. As for buses:you'll need the buses going to Split/Zadar/Dubrovnik. The first morning one is at 07:30 and you arrive to Plitvice at 09.45 . The buses from there go at 13:30 and 22:00 to Split, 15:00 to Zadar. I think you'll have enough time to explore Plitvice and get on the bus to Split at 13:30. (For the timetable check www.akz.hr; they have a version in English). From Split to Dubrovnik either hop on the bus from Split (timetable on www.www.ak-split.hr) or take to the sea by catamaran or ferry and check Hvar, Korcula or Mljet and from there to Dubrovnik. Enjoy your trip.