Vacation in Croatia
 

Trend Setters,
thinking of taking the minister for home affairs on a trip to Croatia this summer. Hopefully fly into Split stay a night or two, then out to Brac, Hvar & on to Dubrovnik.
Anyone been there done that?
b

Motion, motion, he's your man. If he can't tell you nobody can!

Anthony Bourdain did a great episode of "No Reservations" on Croatia. You can find it on Youtube. After watching it I was itching to go.

A woman I work with went and she said it was great, cheap too!

My wife is Croatian. The 300 year old family house is in Primosten, about an hour north of Split. Last trip, we were there for two months and I didn't want to leave! The Adriatic is like a big swimming pool and you can see 30 feet down. The local fishing boats go out early in the morning and come back just before noon. The sidewalk cafe's come out and buy the catch and serve it for lunch and dinner that day....can't get much fresher than that. I seriously could live there and we just might one day.
Dubrovnic is a beautiful ancient city, but be aware that it has been discovered. Several huge cruise ships dump thousands of tourists daily. Good for the locals that profit selling things, but it has ruined the authenticity. Highly recommend the smaller towns if you want the real deal. The Makarska Riviera is spectacular. Sounds like you have the south in your plans, but the northern coastal towns are much less crowded.
We may be going this summer......or tomorrow!

Primosten
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1486681188.jpg

the Dalmatian Coast

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1486681276.jpg

Makarska

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1486681313.jpg

Oh yeah, and the wine! Some of the best anywhere. Wifes uncle has a small vineyard and his red tastes like Welches Grape Juice, but three small glasses and it's really hard to stand up!
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1486681728.jpg

I've been twice. I highly recommend it. I drove down from Belgium on one trip. Stayed in Umag up north on the coast. Then was at a convention for 4 days on the isle of Krk........Drove down the coast on the E65 thru little coastal villages. Stayed at a little B&B the water for very cheap ($55/nite I recall)....North of the border a bit is the town of Koper. Great old world charm on the water also. Enjoy.

Vampires included?

Rob,
thanks for the photos.
Would live to hear more about the "northern towns". I am not dead set on going to Dubrovnik. Would much rather find something relaxing & "authentic" .

Oh yeah. I was there last summer with my family. Lake Plitvice is a-mazing! It is a UNESCO site. I think looks like a Walt Disney fantasy land only it is the real deal. Google it. It is spectacular.

The rest of Croatia was fine. I enjoyed Zagreb quite a lot. It was affordable. People were pleasant. We were minor celebrities at times as we are from the US. at one point a woman ran up to my wife in a store and blurted out "are you Americans? I'm American and I haven't seen any for two weeks!"

The national food is not my style. Lots of over cooked meat and strong sauces.

It is pretty easy travel and easy to like other than the food.

Report back!

Larry

Zagreb is authentic as was most verywhere we went. All Croatia is relaxing. Even the coast is a little sleepy.

Last September I was able to visit Rovinj, Pula, Split, Trogir and Dubrovnik. From Dubrovnik, kayaked out to the island of Lokrum. Had a great time. In addition to the wine and cured ham products the cheeses and olive oils are excellent.

Spectacular coastline from Italy to Montenegro. Basically a low cost Italy.
I wouldn't skip any of it.

loved Pula, I actually drove my 930 there when I was stationed in Germany. I had some grilled stuffed squid that i think was the best food I've ever eaten! Now the sea food pasta from Dubrovnik was ok but the presentation left a lot to be desired, it was black, totally black. I thought my wife was going to be sick and I was the one eating it, LOL

Most think Mario Andretti was born in Italy. Not true. I've been to his birth place in Motovun, Croatia:

https://www.google.com/#q=mario+andretti+birthplace

Dubrovnik - Worth seeing, The old walled city has so many Trinket shops; you'd think you were at a Harley dealership.....Take the cable car to the top of the Mtn overlooking the town/harbor. Have lunch/beer at the restaurant. Can see houses in Bosnia from there.

If there is any way you can do it by boat you should consider it. There are some crewed charter sail boats that might be reasonable if you get a group of people to go together. The coastline is amazing and very protected because of all the islands and light winds in the summer. Water is still a bit cold through June. Kornati Park is really nice by boat.
If by land look into some of the ferry service side trips. You can leave your car on the main land and get dropped of in town on some of the islands, very old and lots to see. A little crowded until end of August. Early September is nice.
Montenegro is worth seeing if you are that close. I have been many times but only by boat so not really sure about getting around on land but have been told mid summer can be a bit crowded.

Croatia is very beautiful. You're going to love it. IMHO, Dubrovnik is a must see. Beautiful, but touristy old town. The roads and cliffs hugging the surrounding area are really nice. Split is nice, also. Be sure to check out the Roman ruins in nearby Salona. Drive the Dalmation Coast. Slow going, but lots of cool small fishing villages. I never had a chance to visit the islands off the coast, but I'm sure they're spectacular. I explored all of the former Yugoslav republics and they are also worthy of a visit.

Koper, Slovenia:

If driving in from Italy, you pass thru it:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1486742692.jpg

Croatia was part of Italy until the 1860's so I guess both answers are correct?

Meridien Ten
 

Bash:

We used Meridien Ten to arrange an amazing boat / bike trip last June - Departed from Split, and sailed / biked on Hvar, Brac, Korcula and Vis. They have road, mountain, hybrid, tandem and e-bikes available, and are first-class. +1 on Zagreb and Plitvice Lakes as well, and the "Sea Organ" at Zadar is not to be missed! Best vacation EVER!

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