I am traveling from Split to Dubrovnick over the course of 8 days, spending two days to start in Split. Is there a website for the ferry times/prices. Do they need to be booked in advance? And finally, what is your suggested itinerary for my route? I received some advice to leave three days for Dubrovnick as a hub to then explore from there... so that leave 3 days to get from Split to Dubrovnick. Suggestions?

(Also, I am flying to Zagreb to spend one day there before flying home, so if anyone has suggestions on a 1 day itinerary for Zagreb, that would be great, as well).

Thanks in advance!!!

You should be able to find quite a lot of info on

http://www.jadrolinija.hr/

Including ferry times and prices. Can't say if you need to book in advance. I Bought tickets and booked cabin for the Rijeka-Split night ferry the same day I travelled. Unfortunately you can't book on-line in the site. But it offers a list of agents in Croatia and abroad you can contact.

Good luck and enjoy Croatia!

Definetly look at the website below, which should have the summer 2008 schedule --- http://www.jadrolinija.hr/

I believe the only ferry that goes directly from Split to Dubrovnik is the coastal line car ferry which according to the schedule leaves Split every Tues and Sat morning getting into Dubrovnik later that night.

BUT, that would mean you would miss the best parts of South Dalmatia.

A must see is the island of Hvar, specifically Hvar Town and also the city of Korcula on the island of Korcula.

So, if the ferry schedules will allow I would suggest you take the fast ferry from Split to Hvar Town for two days; catch the bus from Hvar Town to Stari Grad (still on Hvar Island) and take the ferry to Korcula for one day and then grab the 6 hour bus from Korcula to Dubrovnik (goes through beautiful coastal mountains)

If you fly into Split, the bus from the Airport to the historic center of Split will drop you off at the south east corner of the city walls, right next to where the bus drops you off will be the ferry company ticket office --- during the summer I suggest getting your fast ferry ticket to Hvar the day before as they do sell out.

Let me know if you have any questions. Have fun, best place in Europe

Yep--either Hvar or Korcula (or both)
Check Split-Hvar and Split-Stari Grad at the jadrolinija website. I think Krilo catamaran operates a Split-Hvar Grad catamaran also--probably season-dependent.
Also season-dependent is a catamaran from Hvar to Korcula. Otherwise, check the Stari Grad-Korcula jadrolinija ferries. As said above, you can then take either a ferry from Korcula to Dubrovnik--or always get a bus, but it never took 6 hours for me (about 4.5)--could always be traffic or road construction though!

Zagreb's main sights are rather compact, so just take a map and explore, enjoying the architecture and cafes. The M... cemetery is pretty cool if you have time.
Three days is good for Dubrovnik if you have additional places in mind, but if not I'd make it 2 and do 2 nights each on Hvar and Korcula if you can.

Its also wise to goto ISLAND OF BRAC ,BOL (THE GOLDEN HORN)go there direct from SPLIT ,not BRAC SUPETAR ,because you will have to catch a bus 45min drive or Taxi to other side of the island ,we payed 10 euro each ,,

Thanks for the great replies. I get into Split Sat, Jun 7 evening and am there for two nights - which means I only have on day to explore. Is this enough or should I book an extra night?

From there based on the suggestions it looks like I should go to Hvar for two nights, Korcula for one night. The only set itinerary is that I have to catch a flight out of Dubrovnik on June 14th. If I reduce Dubrovnik to only two nights rather than three I could stay an extra day in Split. Should I do this?

Where do I catch the public bus from the Split airport to downtown? How long does it take to get there?

Ok, I have booked myself 2 nights in Hvar and 3 nights in Dubrovnik after I leave Split on Sunday!!!

In Dubrovnik I plan to do many daily excursions and just see the city of Dubrovnik itself at night.

My next question - in between Split and Hvar is Bol... is this worth seeing on the way? Is there a place at the ferry terminal to lock your luggage? Or should I make my way straight to Hvar and go to Bol on a daily excursion-type deal?

Cheers in advance!

I will admit I travel much differently then most people, I do not like big cities at all. I think the people in small towns are much friendlier and I get a better feel for the place. My favorite spot in all of Croatia was on the island of Korcula, but it was in the town of Vela Luka. The town of Korcula was invaded by a cruise ship when we were there and we couldn't get out of there fast enough. If you can detour to Plitvice I highly recommend it.

The airport bus will be right out front the airport--you'll see people lining up. It takes 30-45 minutes and takes you to the ferry port, bus station.

The only way to see Bol "on the way" is if you can catch the Bol-Jelsa catamaran (after getting to Bol however) and then taking a bus or taxi across Hvar from Jelsa. Otherwise, you have to backtrack to Split to get to Hvar.

In terms of daily excursions from Dubrovnik --- two day trips that you may want to look into that I though were great were (1) Mostar (Bosnia), about 3 hours bus ride from the city and (2) Tour of Bay of Kotor (Montenegro).