Hi,

We are planning to spend about 7 weeks in Croatia. We can arrive in mid-August (or stay in Switzerland a bit longer). I hate crowds and we will have lots of time for beaches in September and October, so am trying to identify someplace in Croatia a bit more remote for the August period (our lease car will not allow us, or at least it, to go to Bosnia or Montenegro). Any suggestions?

Also, we like to rent self-catering apartments on at least a weekly basis, and if possible, stay around 250 E/week. Any good sources that any of you use? I know that is cheaper than many of the Slow Travel recommendations. We are also big foodies, so recommendations on good regional restaurants and markets are very good.

I am of course interested in any and all suggestions - will also read all the other threads and blogs on the subject. Read Gail's posts this afternoon.

Thanks,
Carole

We spent over 46 days in Croatia last August and September, you can get lots of info from our site. I would also check out Lake Bled while you are there, really nice.

It gets packed in August, so I would stay in the more remote areas then. MUCH Of the country is remote, pristine and unpopulated, so that will not be hard to do. Especially stay away from the places that cruise boats go to like Dubrovnik in August, but we manage to still have fun. No one was in Montengro even in August.

There are TONS of places to stay for cheap. We booked almost everything upon arrival. ( Mostly we do travel by RV, but did some nice pensions).

The crowds left and weather got cooler right as September came. You might run into more rain in Oct so keep that in mind.

I would not miss Montenegro, coast drive from Dubrovnik to Split ( better after August), Hvar, Rovinj, Plitvice,Korcula. I would even rent a car for a day to do Montenegro..it is reasonable from Dubrovnik and easy.

Have fun!

Thanks - I read a lot of your Croatian blog last night and will continue to do so. I want to check train travel to the surrounding countries as well, since we can't take the car. Saw the pictures of the nat'l park on a Rick Steves YouTube clip - definitely want to see that as well. Do you have any idea where the weather might be best in October? We will be there for about half of that month...

Thanks

WT - I just finished the entries on Croatia on your blog - they are wonderful!! Can we borrow Mozart for a couple of months? What a great way to meet people...I love my husband dearly, but can get a little crazy talking to no one else for long periods of time!

Can we take our car on the ferries to Hvar and Korcula? I know I asked this on bootsnall as well, so only need one answer

I am not planning to make reservations for the whole time there - like spontenaity -, but always kind of like to know my first destination. Istria sounds great - especially all the agriculture. We love the agritourismo type places. Don't know what kind of luck we will have in August. From the beginning of the trip, I have known that August would be a challenge. From your blog, Plitvice Lakes don't sound like a great bet in that month. BTW, does anyone know if there is any kind of weekly pass, etc. to the park. I saw that it is 10 E a day per person, which with our pathetic little USD, can add up. We did not have the foresight to buy E in the good old days.

Is anyone on the board going to be in Croatia in Aug., Sept. or Oct.? It would be fun to meet for lunch, etc.

Thanks.....

Carole

quote:

(our lease car will not allow us, or at least it, to go to Bosnia or Montenegro). Any suggestions?

If this is the case for your rental, it is extremely important to know then that you can NOT drive to Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik, although on the main land, is not accessible by car from the rest of Croatia without passing through Bosnia. Bosnia was granted a very small amount of seaside land, so that their country would not be landlocked. Therefore, if you are driving down the coast to Dubrovnik you will have to pass through a short stretch of Bosnia (I believe it is less then 10 miles) and will have to go through the border checkpoints. If you plan on going to Dubrovnik with your car, you will have to arrive via a car ferry from elsewhere in Croatia.

Hey, thanks - great info.