I have managed to get myself back into trip planning mode... and I need to plan very early for 2009 in order to use the BA tickets we had booked for this years trip. I can hold those tickets and use them next year without any penalty - but they have to be used within a certain time frame.

I have read all of the Croatia threads, and was going to tag this on to the long thread that included all of Gail's great information - but perhaps it is easier to start fresh.

We were in Croatia (then Yugoslavia) in 1976 and although we loved it we have never been back!

I should say that Terry is the quintessential slow traveler. Staying in one place is his ideal, so although I would like to see more of the country this is a compromise!

So far the plan is.... fly to London and do the obligatory family visits. Then fly into Dubrovnik (can do this on BA from Gatwick - perfect) spend 3 or 4 days, then take the ferry up the coast to Hvar perhaps three days there then hop over to Spit (stay there???) and from there get the overnight ferry to Ancona. Pick up a car there and drive to Montepulciano where we will hope to enjoy two weeks of utter bliss at Sant'Antonio. Any comments on this itinerary?

So far I have only started to look at accommodation in Dubrovnik. We want to be in, or close to, the Old Town. There is a Hilton right opposite the main gate (doable but not really our style) or there is Villa Adriatica It looks pretty basic, but is right outside the Polce Gate and has a nice looking terrace. I am very open to other accommodation suggestions but (and this is a big but in Dubrovnik) would avoid anywhere with too many steps - I want to save my knee for sightseeing!

I am also looking for help re Hvar.

Hi Sheena. I think your plan sounds great, although I would recommend staying in Trogir rather than Split. And you might want to consider driving up the coast rather than taking the ferry. There are also very inexpensive flights from Split to Rome, another option. Finally, we spent a week at the Villa Adriatica, and Jane and Ken are going to stay there this summer. It is basic, but in a charming way, and I'll email you some photos if you'd like. It's also a perfect place to help save that knee of yours, and the views from the terrace are spectacular! Are you going to get the cottage at Sant'Antonio?

Ann, I am not sure at the moment whether we will stay in Split or just go straight from Hvar (via Split) to Ancona. A lot depends on what those of you that have already been to Croatia recommend, and how many stops I can talk Terry into! Would you do Split (Trogir) in place of Hvar?

I am glad you feel Villa Adriatica is a good spot (I think we have similar taste!).

We won't take the cottage at Sant'Antonio because my sister and brother in law will be with us. Of the two bedroomed units we prefer Michealangelo - it is very private and you can park right outside. I am not sure whether Gillian and Peter will be with us in Croatia, or just join us in Italy. This whole idea just germinated over the weekend and they are both away playing golf right now so I haven't had a chance to discuss it with them. (He is in France, she is in Turkey -how nice to be in such close proximity to other countries, that is what I miss about living in England).

Do you feel that driving up the coast is a better option than the ferry? What are your reasons for suggesting this? I am trying to make this as easy a trip as possible for Terry, and thought the ferry would be more relaxing, but we could drive, if it is a better way to go.

Yes I would love to see your photos!

quote:

go straight from Hvar (via Split) to Ancona.

That might not be necessary. Some ferry routes leave split, stop in Hvar and go to Ancona. Therefore, you might not need to go to Split to gt to Ancona!

Spending 3/4 night in Dubrovnik and then 3 in Hvar, a car is not necessary at all! Unless, of course, you want the car to some exploring.

Remember to always stay a minimum of 3 nights in any rental accommodation as there is a discount that you are entitled to receive by law.

Thanks Tony. I'll look into the ferry situation as our plans progress - but it would be great if we could go straight from Hvar to Ancona. I'm getting the distinct feeling that things change very rapidly in this area!

I am certainly hoping to do this without a car!

Have you expanded your business into Croatia yet?

Sheena, I would definitely go to Hvar - lovely small town and interesting island. When we went to Croatia in '05, there was almost no info on ST so I used Fodor's a lot, and several folks there recommended against the ferry. If you're not going to stay in Split/Trogir except the one night before taking the ferry to Ancona, or are able to avoid it altogether, then I'd probably take the ferry to Hvar to avoid renting a car. But we had a car on Hvar and really enjoyed the ability to see the rest of the island. How long will you have altogether - 7 nights?

Sheena,

I am so excited for both of you to be going to Croatia, and I'll just hitchhike along this thread as a quiet passenger and enjoy all of your trip planning (as well as my own).

quote:

Have you expanded your business into Croatia yet?

I have been in Croatia most of the winter working on it. It will be up sometime this year for a trial run only for travel agents (and maybe some lucky Slow Travelers ). Next year will be the full launch.

quote:

But we had a car on Hvar and really enjoyed the ability to see the rest of the island.

If this is something that you are interested in, you could always just rent a car on Hvar for a day or two.

quote:

I have been in Croatia most of the winter working on it. It will be up sometime this year for a trial run only for travel agents (and maybe some lucky Slow Travelers ). Next year will be the full launch.

Keep us in touch - we may be your first 'real' clients next year!

I have no idea what happened at the weekend when I first searched ST for Croatia information - either the search function wasn't working properly or I entered something bizzare in the find box. Either way I found just a couple of threads. Something in Ann's response made me search again - and of course there is much more information here!

Right now I am having fun making plans, but I'll be back with more questions! I think the transportation (especially ferries) may be more difficult than 'where to go/where to stay'.

Hello!

I'm new to this board, so I'm not sure yet how to do the quote part to then answer in my post

But to the ? wondering about Hvar and Split...

We spent 6 nights in DBV
then ferried to Korcula 1 night
then to Hvar 1 night
Split 1 night (2 full days)
then to Zagreb...

we don't have enough time to be true slow travelers YET!

Anyway, if we had to trade off anywhere I would scratch Korcula...add extra time to Hvar.
keep Split if you can

You need to do Dubrovnik to immerse in some of the historical and cultural aspects, but Hvar is an island where you exhale...I truly didn't want to leave. This is where in off season you recharge your entire body...During season it's a party island! (we were there in off season)

Split however is just steeped in history, I would hate to see you miss it...but if you have to eliminate Split or Hvar..I would say Split.

I hope this helps!

If you have any questions please let me know!

quote:

Originally posted by where2next:
I'm new to this board, so I'm not sure yet how to do the quote part to then answer in my post

Please look at the bottom of the post that you would like to quote and reply to, specifically on the line where appears the date of registration of that member. You will see there three icons. To quote the poster, click on the quotation marks icon and a new window will appear, with the entire text of the post you wish to quote. Retain from that text the portion you would like to refer or reply to, delete the rest of the text but do not delete the square brackets!

Key in your remarks in the first blank line after the second square bracket.

To test and practice you can use our Testing forum! Good luck!

Like Teaberry, I'm just hitchhiking along on this thread. I'm just learning about Croatia for my anticipated trip late May/June 2009. My tentative plans are similar. I'm also thinking about a gulet cruise for a week.
Anyway, I've sent some inquiries and I'm not getting responses. I know I'm REALLY early....maybe too early for them to bother with me?
Sheena, we have something else in common - a desire to save our knees! Mine do OK, but I have my limits!
Linda

Hi Linda, I have temporarily put this planning on hold... waiting for Teaberry and Jane to return with details of their trips. Also the place we want to stay in Dubrovnik isn't taking reservations until later in the year for 2009.

Our timing depends on the reservations we can get both in Dubrovnik and at Sant'Antonio, but tentatively I expect to be in Dubrovnik at the beginning of June, so our paths may cross.