Very concerned re itinerary ( 19days) depending solely on public transport.We fly into Zagreb early March and fly out of Zagreb 27March.( tickets already purchased)
We hope to spend about 3/4 nights in Ljubljana,(Slovenia) highly recommended by others and the rest in Croatia.The problem is getting around during the Easter period (21March - 24March) and trying to get back to Zagreb the Tuesday after Easter Monday.
We are hoping not to have to back track all the way in Croatia going from and back to Zagreb.Is it better to go to Slovenia towards the end of the trip as I understand that there is a train direct to Zagreb.Will we have problem with lodging during Easter period if we do not make any bookings yet in Ljubljana? Will accommodation and living expenses be more costly in Slovenia as compared to Croatia.Hoping alco to include Plitvice Lakes ( 2 nights. Will the place be too cold ( lakes frozen?) in March.
All suggestions most welcomed.
|||
Have you considered Lake Bled?
Could easily catch a bus from Ljubljana as the journey is only 1hr 30 min. It is possible to visit Bled for the day but I would recommend an overnight stay if possible. Either two or three nights in Ljubljana and a night in Bled is about right.
Have a look at www.bled.si for further information.
ps - If you need further information about Bled let me know as I visited for a week last Summer.
|||
Thanks for the suggestion about Lake Bled - will certainly do it.
Can%26#39;t decide whether to go to Ljubljana from Zagreb or to leave trip to Ljubljana to the end of the trip after visiting Croatia so that it is easier to travel to Zagreb to catch the return flight.Will it be a problem getting lodging during the Easter weekend and getting public transport to Lake Bled too during that period?
|||
Hi Excited Australia,
According to my diary, Slovenia has a bank holiday on the 24 March 2008. The bus service usually runs on a reduced timetable during bank holidays. I would recommend reserving your hotel reservation during the Easter period. I was in Bled for a week last June and we stayed at the Hotel Pension Mayer which was very nice. I think this has to be the prettiest hotel in Bled. Will have to reserve in the Mayer as it is extremely popular.
Have a look at the reviews for further information. Good luck, enjoy your stay!!
|||
Thank you again for the information.As we will be depending solely on public transport it might be wiser to go to initially to Slovenia after 2 nights at Zagreb and then make our way down to Croatia.By the way is there a possibility of leaving from Lake Bled itself to overnight at the nearest interesting place in Croatia enroute to Dubrovnik depending solely on public transport?What about a stopover at Plitvice Lakes?
All advice welcomed.Thanks.
|||
I am not sure about the transport links but Plitvice Lakes is a very good option. I am sure this is located on the old main road from Zagreb to Split. Alternatively, you could consider Venice for one day as it is located close to the Slovenian boarder. Visiting Split and Dubrovnik will involve too much travelling for one night. Hope this helps, happy planning!!
|||
Have done the Italy.... boat to Croatia Split....Hvar.....Dubrov.....trogir....Rovinj... Ljubjlana bit all by bus. Can send a travel report if you send me an email address as is a large file.
Roscoe
|||
It looks logical to me to go: Zagreb-Ljubljana (Bled)-back to Croatia through Istria, towns Rovinj, Pula, Opatija/Rijeka.
Or you can avoid Istria and go straight to Rijeka (train from Ljubljana) and then from Rijeka to Plitvice by bus; then more toward south: Zadar, Sibenik, Split, Dubrovnik (all by buses).
You can include an island (Brac, Hvar) from Split – or even take a ferry via islands from Split to Dubrovnik – mind that this need some additional planning due to not so frequent ferry rides off season.
As for coming back from Dubrovnik to Zagreb, taking a bus would be a waste of time – check out Croatia Airlines, they offer cheap flight within Croatia, from Dub. to Zagreb as well. It should be affordable and fast (1 hour flight).
http://www.croatiaairlines.com/
|||
You have already received good replies, but I wanted to mention the Plitvice Lakes. We spent a week in Croatia last year, which wasn%26#39;t nearly enough time. We are going back in September, sailing down the coast to Dubrovnik, then hiring a car to make our way via the Lakes, to Zagreb. You must see the Lakes, as they are described as stunning. It would be ideal to stay for a night as there are 16 lakes in all. Check out the weather on Go Croatia. I doubt it will be warm. We found Croatia generally to be inexpensive, including accommodation. A 2 lt bottle of beer in a supermarket was $2.50. Food cheap as well. Good luck, and do some surfing.
|||
Thank you all of you for your wonderful responses and your time.At least I%26#39;m not as worried knowing the good options to consider.Should there be anymore tips from travellers I%26#39;d be glad to read about them.So far I haven%26#39;t made any bookings for lodging as I feel I am hoping to keep to a more flexible itinerary so that we can stay longer at a place we might happen to like.Incidentally I have not found many private and more affordable bed and breakfast sites on the internet for Croatia and Slovenia.
|||
Coastal Croatia and Plitvice Lakes surroundings offer pretty good choice of BnB options (though some, especially along the coast, are closed off season).
Check out this online booking site (it offers all kinds of accommodations and is reliable)
http://www.adriatica.net/home/home.htm
Be SURE the place you stay has heating.
