Discussion
Went 3 years ago. Stayed in Porec, flew into Pula.
Explored lots of Istria. The coast and coastal towns and small towns inland, are really excellent. Not so much culture just nice places to wander, have lunch etc.
Roads were excellent due to substantial investment in recent years.
Modest prices locally.
R.
Explored lots of Istria. The coast and coastal towns and small towns inland, are really excellent. Not so much culture just nice places to wander, have lunch etc.
Roads were excellent due to substantial investment in recent years.
Modest prices locally.
R.
One of my favourite holiday destinations. I've been twice - once to Split and again to Zadar.
If you're going to the Split area some of the islands are a must see. The inland national parks are also fantastic - We visited Plitvice and Krka. Plitvice was the more spectacular but Krka more interesting as you can swim at the base of one of the waterfalls.
Good weather, friendly locals, reasonable prices, amazing scenery. Definitely recommend.
If you're going to the Split area some of the islands are a must see. The inland national parks are also fantastic - We visited Plitvice and Krka. Plitvice was the more spectacular but Krka more interesting as you can swim at the base of one of the waterfalls.
Good weather, friendly locals, reasonable prices, amazing scenery. Definitely recommend.
We went at the end of August week last year and loved it. Weather was 31-33 degrees everyday so a bit hot but in most places it was not quite full peak season busy. Food/living was generally cheaper than UK, but not cheap cheap.
Flew into Split but immidately headed down the coast. Stopped in Makarska (epic road to the summit of a 1700m mountain only a few km away) for 1 night/2 days then headed down to Korcula.
Korcula was definitely my favourite location, beautiful walled city, nice and peaceful, good reasturants and bars, excellent scenery, not particularly busy. We stayed less than 20 seconds walk from the harbour and within 60 seconds you were in the city walls! Would have stayed here longer if we knew what we know now!
We then ended up in Split for the last few days. Tbh it was very busy as we arrived there on a weekend. We visited Zadaar, Krka waterfalls (very busy, go very early), Trogir and a few places on the way. We most enjoyed walking around Split in the evening. It's very easy to lose yourself (helped by beer and wine). Would recommend Pizzeria Portas for the best pizza I've ever had.
We ummd and ahhd about going to Dubrovnik, we could have had a day trip there from Kocula but all latest reviews were saying it was heaving at the end of August so we left it for another time.
Flew into Split but immidately headed down the coast. Stopped in Makarska (epic road to the summit of a 1700m mountain only a few km away) for 1 night/2 days then headed down to Korcula.
Korcula was definitely my favourite location, beautiful walled city, nice and peaceful, good reasturants and bars, excellent scenery, not particularly busy. We stayed less than 20 seconds walk from the harbour and within 60 seconds you were in the city walls! Would have stayed here longer if we knew what we know now!
We then ended up in Split for the last few days. Tbh it was very busy as we arrived there on a weekend. We visited Zadaar, Krka waterfalls (very busy, go very early), Trogir and a few places on the way. We most enjoyed walking around Split in the evening. It's very easy to lose yourself (helped by beer and wine). Would recommend Pizzeria Portas for the best pizza I've ever had.
We ummd and ahhd about going to Dubrovnik, we could have had a day trip there from Kocula but all latest reviews were saying it was heaving at the end of August so we left it for another time.
We had a fantastic 10-day holiday here last September - http://www.hoteladmiral-slano.com/en/
Our first trip to Croatia - loved it! Very nice beachside hotel in a large bay, about 30km north of Dubrovnik (which is also very worthy of an easy day out).
Hotel is 'refined', quiet and relaxed, just what we wanted. Really good value too - we booked through Secret Escapes.
Our first trip to Croatia - loved it! Very nice beachside hotel in a large bay, about 30km north of Dubrovnik (which is also very worthy of an easy day out).
Hotel is 'refined', quiet and relaxed, just what we wanted. Really good value too - we booked through Secret Escapes.
The Leaper said:
Went 3 years ago. Stayed in Porec, flew into Pula.
Explored lots of Istria. The coast and coastal towns and small towns inland, are really excellent. Not so much culture just nice places to wander, have lunch etc.
Roads were excellent due to substantial investment in recent years.
Modest prices locally.
R.
Exactly what we did last year. Loved it. Nice people, great food, great wine and not too touristy. And VERY affordable (I gather it's a little more pricey in the more commonly visited islands and Dubrovnik._Explored lots of Istria. The coast and coastal towns and small towns inland, are really excellent. Not so much culture just nice places to wander, have lunch etc.
Roads were excellent due to substantial investment in recent years.
Modest prices locally.
R.
We spent a week in an Airbnb apartment just outside of Dubrovnik old town (near the only public beach in Dubrovnik), at the end of October. Despite the late time of year the weather was great, warm but not too hot.
There was loads to do and see using Dubrovnik as a base and heading out to the Islands and also some different parts of the mainland. We left feeling that there was still more we'd like to do in the area, which is rare!
There was loads to do and see using Dubrovnik as a base and heading out to the Islands and also some different parts of the mainland. We left feeling that there was still more we'd like to do in the area, which is rare!
schmalex said:
We went in 2015 and stayed around the Dubrovnik area. It was stunning and I'd go back in a heartbeat.
Dubrovnik has been on my radar for a few years now as a relaxing destination for me and Mrs Toon. Fast forward to now and we are looking for a summer break (anywhere from 7 to 14 nights) this July but will have the kids in tow. Herein lies the issue, one is 15 and just wants cool things to do and Wi-Fi and the other is 1. We've looked at booking up but I'm not convinced there will be enough to occupy and entertain both kids. I'm happy to stroll about, do a few day trips and maybe a hop to an island or two but I suspect the oldest will want theme parks, water parks and somewhere to chat up local girls and play pool. Went twice 2 years ago as I loved it so much!
First time just Split and Hvar with the boys to finish off interrailing, second time a bit more chilled trip with the missus.
With the missus I flew into Split, then went to Trogir for a night, lovely and peaceful, and got a boat the next day down to Split.
Had a day and night in Split before heading to Dubrovnik for a couple of nights, then back to Split for a day and night and then off to Hvar, finishing off the holiday with a couple more days in Split.
Lovely islands all nearby and it is a beautiful place!
First time just Split and Hvar with the boys to finish off interrailing, second time a bit more chilled trip with the missus.
With the missus I flew into Split, then went to Trogir for a night, lovely and peaceful, and got a boat the next day down to Split.
Had a day and night in Split before heading to Dubrovnik for a couple of nights, then back to Split for a day and night and then off to Hvar, finishing off the holiday with a couple more days in Split.
Lovely islands all nearby and it is a beautiful place!
I went to Poreč last year and absolutely loved it!
Stayed in a hotel on it's own island just opposite the town, with a boat to and from the mainland every ten mins or so, very quirky. In a more popular country the same holiday would have cost a fortune, the hotel really was good for what it cost (Valamar Isabella Island Resort)
I was impressed with how clean the place was, great weather, great food and friendly people. There was plenty to do and the towns are very pretty. Highly recommended.
Stayed in a hotel on it's own island just opposite the town, with a boat to and from the mainland every ten mins or so, very quirky. In a more popular country the same holiday would have cost a fortune, the hotel really was good for what it cost (Valamar Isabella Island Resort)
I was impressed with how clean the place was, great weather, great food and friendly people. There was plenty to do and the towns are very pretty. Highly recommended.
toon10 said:
schmalex said:
We went in 2015 and stayed around the Dubrovnik area. It was stunning and I'd go back in a heartbeat.
Dubrovnik has been on my radar for a few years now as a relaxing destination for me and Mrs Toon. Fast forward to now and we are looking for a summer break (anywhere from 7 to 14 nights) this July but will have the kids in tow. Herein lies the issue, one is 15 and just wants cool things to do and Wi-Fi and the other is 1. We've looked at booking up but I'm not convinced there will be enough to occupy and entertain both kids. I'm happy to stroll about, do a few day trips and maybe a hop to an island or two but I suspect the oldest will want theme parks, water parks and somewhere to chat up local girls and play pool. For the little 'un, just beware that there are very few soft, sandy beaches along the coastline
I'd been to Porec and Dubrovnik on separate trips before independence, and loved Dubrovnik - stayed on the a small island just off the coast that time (Lopud).
Last summer's road trip was the first time I'd been back for 20+ years, and it was easy to see how it's become much more westernised but has managed to keep it's character. We drove in from Hungary to Zagreb, and stayed a couple of nights in the Esplanade Hotel which is an awesome old-school hotel that was originally built due to the Orient Express - the time there was spent wandering round the old-town.
The drive to Pula from there was a breeze, as the motorways are pretty modern toll-roads, and very quiet. Some typical resort hotels outside, but Pula itself is worth seeing - the amphitheatre, other Roman buildings, wartime tunnels, etc. Istria itself is still popular with Austrians, and Germans so the drive north to Italy resulted in a one hour queue to cross the border into Slovenia, but not a problem if flying.
Last summer's road trip was the first time I'd been back for 20+ years, and it was easy to see how it's become much more westernised but has managed to keep it's character. We drove in from Hungary to Zagreb, and stayed a couple of nights in the Esplanade Hotel which is an awesome old-school hotel that was originally built due to the Orient Express - the time there was spent wandering round the old-town.
The drive to Pula from there was a breeze, as the motorways are pretty modern toll-roads, and very quiet. Some typical resort hotels outside, but Pula itself is worth seeing - the amphitheatre, other Roman buildings, wartime tunnels, etc. Istria itself is still popular with Austrians, and Germans so the drive north to Italy resulted in a one hour queue to cross the border into Slovenia, but not a problem if flying.
Great place, some photos to tempt you
Split, or it could be Dubrovnik, i cant remember!
20160617-_MG_4129 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr
Pritvic lakes, or something like that
20160618-_MG_4164 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr
20160618-_MG_4206 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr
20160618-_MG_4193 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr
In short, great place, with added bonus if your a game of thrones person!
Split, or it could be Dubrovnik, i cant remember!
20160617-_MG_4129 by justin bowdidge, on FlickrPritvic lakes, or something like that
20160618-_MG_4164 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr20160618-_MG_4206 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr20160618-_MG_4193 by justin bowdidge, on FlickrIn short, great place, with added bonus if your a game of thrones person!
Croatia is great- have been there 10 times and counting. Now in the process of buying a house there as well.
Top pic is split. Great old walled city- loads of little streets to wander around.
You can get the catamaran from split to hvar which only takes an hour. Hvar is great- busy main town that is like saint tropez but much less busy. Then the rest of the island is pretty much devoid of tourists with some lovely small towns.
Dubrovnik is great but very touristy now due to all the cruise ships that dock there.
Top pic is split. Great old walled city- loads of little streets to wander around.
You can get the catamaran from split to hvar which only takes an hour. Hvar is great- busy main town that is like saint tropez but much less busy. Then the rest of the island is pretty much devoid of tourists with some lovely small towns.
Dubrovnik is great but very touristy now due to all the cruise ships that dock there.
satans worm said:
Great place, some photos to tempt you
Split, or it could be Dubrovnik, i cant remember!
20160617-_MG_4129 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr
Pritvic lakes, or something like that
20160618-_MG_4164 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr
20160618-_MG_4206 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr
20160618-_MG_4193 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr
In short, great place, with added bonus if your a game of thrones person!
Split, or it could be Dubrovnik, i cant remember!
20160617-_MG_4129 by justin bowdidge, on FlickrPritvic lakes, or something like that
20160618-_MG_4164 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr20160618-_MG_4206 by justin bowdidge, on Flickr20160618-_MG_4193 by justin bowdidge, on FlickrIn short, great place, with added bonus if your a game of thrones person!
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