Discussion
Hvar is pretty - but in the summer it is a heaving party town for yachty types and pretty expensive. There are quieter and more chilled islands.
Split was nice and chilled and not too touristy, but not a huge amount to see once you've done the old town and the rival area. Dubrovnik is absolutely stunning, but overwhelmed with tourists (especially as a cruise destination). It does have to be explored though.
Split was nice and chilled and not too touristy, but not a huge amount to see once you've done the old town and the rival area. Dubrovnik is absolutely stunning, but overwhelmed with tourists (especially as a cruise destination). It does have to be explored though.
One thing I forgot. Croatian Kuna/Pound exchange rates vary a lot and are often much better once you're in Croatia. First time we went we found out the hard way and changed hundreds at around 8.5Kn/£ before we left then found even at ATM's in tourist areas the rate was more like 9.8 to 10Kn/£.
Jaguar steve said:
One thing I forgot. Croatian Kuna/Pound exchange rates vary a lot and are often much better once you're in Croatia. First time we went we found out the hard way and changed hundreds at around 8.5Kn/£ before we left then found even at ATM's in tourist areas the rate was more like 9.8 to 10Kn/£.
Over the last 10 years I've consistently found that my bank's exchange rate+fee is as good as most bureaus de change. I stopped bothering changing money a long time ago and just use the credit/debit cards now.schmalex said:
OP. Have a look at Montenegro as well. It is absolutely stunning.
Yep - we went to Croatia in 2002 on our honeymoon - was brilliant, but when we went back in 2012, Dubrovnik was so much busier. On the same trip we spent a week in Montenegro, which was wonderful (if crazy drivers).We're going as part of a 2 week round trip from home, going via Harwich to the Hook of Holland, 4 nights in Germany, driving through Austria and Slovenia, then 2 nights in Zagreb, 2 in Plitvice Jereza, 1 in Trogir and 2 in Dubrovnik, followed by ferry to Italy, 1 night in Italy, 1 night in Switzerland, last night in Belgium and to Calais for the ferry home.
Took me around a month to really sort out the route as although we have a lot of days of mostly driving we also add into the mix 2 overnight ferries and some individual days in different places.
The thing we still can't find the answer to is driving through Bosnia & Herzegovina between Split and Dubrovnik, as far as we're aware its only about 20 mins driving time but B&G isn't part of the EU and therefore not covered by our insurance policy. Has anyone had experience of driving through on this section of road in their own car? We know that rental cars aren't an issue but having researched this extensively we can't find a definitive answer for driving our own car. Some have said we need a special document, some that we won't be stopped but we don't want to find ourselves having to drive north into B&H to buy the necessary permit as it isn't available at the Neum border crossing which we'll be using.
Took me around a month to really sort out the route as although we have a lot of days of mostly driving we also add into the mix 2 overnight ferries and some individual days in different places.
The thing we still can't find the answer to is driving through Bosnia & Herzegovina between Split and Dubrovnik, as far as we're aware its only about 20 mins driving time but B&G isn't part of the EU and therefore not covered by our insurance policy. Has anyone had experience of driving through on this section of road in their own car? We know that rental cars aren't an issue but having researched this extensively we can't find a definitive answer for driving our own car. Some have said we need a special document, some that we won't be stopped but we don't want to find ourselves having to drive north into B&H to buy the necessary permit as it isn't available at the Neum border crossing which we'll be using.
Highway Star said:
schmalex said:
OP. Have a look at Montenegro as well. It is absolutely stunning.
Yep - we went to Croatia in 2002 on our honeymoon - was brilliant, but when we went back in 2012, Dubrovnik was so much busier. On the same trip we spent a week in Montenegro, which was wonderful (if crazy drivers).The super yachts moored up on the front were pretty stunning too!!
schmalex said:
We only spent a day in Montenegro. We drove from Dubrovnik to Kotor. The bay of Kotor is simply stunning (although, some rather nittyndrivers!!). Kotor itself was beautiful, albeit rather busy. We got away from the main squares very quickly and found some stunning alleyways & architecture.
The super yachts moored up on the front were pretty stunning too!!
We stayed for a week in Kotor, just around the bay from the old city and loved it, such a beautiful place. Lovely sandy beaches a short trip further south and Perast, a little further up the bay, is possibly one of the best places I've ever had lunch in. We also went inland - Podgorica, the Soviet era capital, is a dump, but Cetinje, the cultural capital was pleasant, although mostly deserted (the guy on the front desk of the national museum had to turn the lights on to let us visit and gave us a personal guided tour). However the road that links Kotor and Cetinje, the 'Ladder of Catarro' (or something similar), is one of the most terrifying roads I've driven (and I've driven in Africa, China and Russia) - sheer drops up the mountainside with no crash barriers, changing from single to two-way traffic and Montenegran men driving don't exactly back down!The super yachts moored up on the front were pretty stunning too!!
I'd love to go back soon.
I've driven this route from split to Dubrovnik many times. Sometimes the border guards just check your passport and let you through. Other times they want to check all your car documents, including insurance. They will then tell you that your insurance does not cover Bosnia (even if it does) and say you have to buy border insurance. It's about 20 euros if inremember correctly. Compete con, but not worth arguing about! It's worth the money to get to Dubrovnik- partly for the city itself but also for the great views from the road to it.
SWIMBO said:
We're going as part of a 2 week round trip from home, going via Harwich to the Hook of Holland, 4 nights in Germany, driving through Austria and Slovenia, then 2 nights in Zagreb, 2 in Plitvice Jereza, 1 in Trogir and 2 in Dubrovnik, followed by ferry to Italy, 1 night in Italy, 1 night in Switzerland, last night in Belgium and to Calais for the ferry home.
Took me around a month to really sort out the route as although we have a lot of days of mostly driving we also add into the mix 2 overnight ferries and some individual days in different places.
The thing we still can't find the answer to is driving through Bosnia & Herzegovina between Split and Dubrovnik, as far as we're aware its only about 20 mins driving time but B&G isn't part of the EU and therefore not covered by our insurance policy. Has anyone had experience of driving through on this section of road in their own car? We know that rental cars aren't an issue but having researched this extensively we can't find a definitive answer for driving our own car. Some have said we need a special document, some that we won't be stopped but we don't want to find ourselves having to drive north into B&H to buy the necessary permit as it isn't available at the Neum border crossing which we'll be using.
Took me around a month to really sort out the route as although we have a lot of days of mostly driving we also add into the mix 2 overnight ferries and some individual days in different places.
The thing we still can't find the answer to is driving through Bosnia & Herzegovina between Split and Dubrovnik, as far as we're aware its only about 20 mins driving time but B&G isn't part of the EU and therefore not covered by our insurance policy. Has anyone had experience of driving through on this section of road in their own car? We know that rental cars aren't an issue but having researched this extensively we can't find a definitive answer for driving our own car. Some have said we need a special document, some that we won't be stopped but we don't want to find ourselves having to drive north into B&H to buy the necessary permit as it isn't available at the Neum border crossing which we'll be using.
Island of Korcula last summer, loved it, very interesting place, like a mini Dubrovnik without all the tourists. Only downside was the 2 hour transfer from airport. Great weather, clear water ( sea was a bit chilly in early july). Lots of restaurants to choose from.
Took trips to Hvar-busy with 20somethings but otherwise out of the main town interesting
Dubrovnik-packed as you would expect
Took trips to Hvar-busy with 20somethings but otherwise out of the main town interesting
Dubrovnik-packed as you would expect
Been 3 times in the past 5 years including a roadtrip:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=130...
We typically stay on Brac Island, specifically the Town of Bol as you have a more relaxed atmosphere and are only a 35 min car ferry away from the mainland when your at the main port. Its an awful lot cheaper than Hvar for accommodation (we paid £120 for a studio in July for 10 days when we went above and £400 for a week in a villa with own pool this September just gone)
Second the lakes, a day walking round Split is also a must - we went as foot passengers (cheaper) and walked on the other side.
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=130...
We typically stay on Brac Island, specifically the Town of Bol as you have a more relaxed atmosphere and are only a 35 min car ferry away from the mainland when your at the main port. Its an awful lot cheaper than Hvar for accommodation (we paid £120 for a studio in July for 10 days when we went above and £400 for a week in a villa with own pool this September just gone)
Second the lakes, a day walking round Split is also a must - we went as foot passengers (cheaper) and walked on the other side.
kiethton said:
Been 3 times in the past 5 years including a roadtrip:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=130...
We typically stay on Brac Island, specifically the Town of Bol as you have a more relaxed atmosphere and are only a 35 min car ferry away from the mainland when your at the main port. Its an awful lot cheaper than Hvar for accommodation (we paid £120 for a studio in July for 10 days when we went above and £400 for a week in a villa with own pool this September just gone)
Second the lakes, a day walking round Split is also a must - we went as foot passengers (cheaper) and walked on the other side.
Crikey that is a fair price for accommodation. You use any particular sites when searching for places to stay over there?http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=130...
We typically stay on Brac Island, specifically the Town of Bol as you have a more relaxed atmosphere and are only a 35 min car ferry away from the mainland when your at the main port. Its an awful lot cheaper than Hvar for accommodation (we paid £120 for a studio in July for 10 days when we went above and £400 for a week in a villa with own pool this September just gone)
Second the lakes, a day walking round Split is also a must - we went as foot passengers (cheaper) and walked on the other side.
Swervin_Mervin said:
kiethton said:
Been 3 times in the past 5 years including a roadtrip:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=130...
We typically stay on Brac Island, specifically the Town of Bol as you have a more relaxed atmosphere and are only a 35 min car ferry away from the mainland when your at the main port. Its an awful lot cheaper than Hvar for accommodation (we paid £120 for a studio in July for 10 days when we went above and £400 for a week in a villa with own pool this September just gone)
Second the lakes, a day walking round Split is also a must - we went as foot passengers (cheaper) and walked on the other side.
Crikey that is a fair price for accommodation. You use any particular sites when searching for places to stay over there?http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=130...
We typically stay on Brac Island, specifically the Town of Bol as you have a more relaxed atmosphere and are only a 35 min car ferry away from the mainland when your at the main port. Its an awful lot cheaper than Hvar for accommodation (we paid £120 for a studio in July for 10 days when we went above and £400 for a week in a villa with own pool this September just gone)
Second the lakes, a day walking round Split is also a must - we went as foot passengers (cheaper) and walked on the other side.
kiethton said:
Jaguar steve said:
Steve H said:
Quick thread revival..........
Looking at going away for a week at Christmas, probably looking for a villa rental, sea views etc but open to suggestions.........
Anyone been over there at that time of year? Climate OK? Does the whole tourist setup shut down and have a closed season?
Think the weather will be pretty chilly.Looking at going away for a week at Christmas, probably looking for a villa rental, sea views etc but open to suggestions.........
Anyone been over there at that time of year? Climate OK? Does the whole tourist setup shut down and have a closed season?
Friend of mine has just come back and places were only just beginning to open now so would think it'd be largely closed up around Xmas.
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