Suggestions for Trip in May

[barbie]

We are planning a trip to Croatia end of May and have some parts in place but others not sure and would appreciate feedback.  To start we are an older but active couple 70 and 77.  We arrive in Dubrovnik on May 23 and will be there till May 27 when we will board a small ship that will take us around the islands between Dubrovnik and Split.  This is where they will stop and tour each day Dubrovnik  Šipan/Slano – Mljet – Korčula – Vis – Biševo – Hvar – Trogir – Split.  I want to do a day tour to Montenegro while in Dubrovnik and the first day of the boat trip is the afternoon in Dubrovnik after lunch. So I will have some time in Dubrovnik on that day as well and they will do a tour of old town which may be odd having been in Dubrovnik for four days prior. I was thinking to do other things and leave some of Old town to that tour day. So any suggestions around that would be helpful in addition to where might be the best area to stay. I was going to stay in old town but since its car free any place we go to we will have to drag our luggage to the apartment from wherever a taxi can drop off. I don't mind the stairs but not with luggage even if not a lot. So thinking better to stay just outside within walking distance.

Then when we get to Split, we plan to spend several days there and do a bunch of Day trips. We don't plan to rent a car just do day trips. Plan to visit  Plitvice Lakes National Park, (I know its closer to Zadar but I am trying to avoid too many stops.. but might consider it)  Also Mostar and possibly Krka National Park so thinking 5 nights here as one of the days from the boat is a full day in Split so that gives us 6 days and with 3 trips and 3 days to explore Split.. not sure if that is too much time but we don't like rushing around anymore.  
The plan at this point, is to fly to Pula and explore Istria.  We may rent a car there or possibly do day trips from Rovinj. Here is where I am still trying to decide. I got the impression that Istria has a different feeling that other parts of Croatia being so close to Italy.  So we thought it would be a good contrast.  The plan was to spend about 6 or 7 days there and then go to Zegrab for 2 days and fly back to NY from there. 
I welcome any feedback. At this point I am locked into the boat and my flight to Dubrovnik on the 23.  
BTW, we love to hike, love nature and architecture, not really looking to hang out at a beach.  If that helps at all. 
Thank you in advance. 

[Anna]

For things to do in the Dubrovnik region, you may like to visit Ston (more very impressive town walls, and also famous for oysters) and/or do a winery tour on the Peljesac Peninsula - this can be organised from Dubrovnik.

You can easily enter the Old Town from Pile Gate (where a taxi can drop you off) step-free BUT you will likely be staying in an apartment in the Old Town (there are only 2 hotels in the Old Town itself) which may well have a number of steps up to the floor of your apartment. There are a number of hotels just outside the Old Town, close to both entrances (Pile Gate and Ploce Gate) which would mean easy walking distance for sightseeing. Alternatively, there are also many, many accommodation choices on the Lapad peninsula, but this would mean a bus or taxi ride over to the Old Town.

Plitvice Lakes from Split is a little on the long side - perhaps a 6-hour round trip? - so the whole trip might be 12 hours. Is there any chance you could shift one of your Split days to Zagreb and do the Plitvice day trip from there? Krka would be a must from Split, I would say, and definitely Trogir too (an easy trip). I personally don't think 6 days is too much...it seems like you've got a pretty busy trip overall, and I would definitely leave some days to simply do some strolling/leisurely lunches and so on!

I would certainly suggest renting a car for Istria - it would be really to do lots of mini day trips exploring the region, especially the little towns and villages of the interior, and perhaps popping into wineries and similar.

[justdavid]

I’m glad you’re planning a trip to Croatia. It’s a beautiful country with a lot to offer. I can help you with some tips and suggestions based on your itinerary.

First of all, I think you have a good amount of time to see the main highlights of Croatia. You’re traveling in the shoulder season, which is a great idea to avoid the crowds and the heat1. You also have a nice balance of coastal and inland destinations, which will give you a taste of the different cultures and landscapes of Croatia.

For your stay in Dubrovnik, I recommend staying outside the old town, as it can be very crowded and noisy, especially during the day. You can find some nice apartments or hotels in the Lapad or Pile areas, which are close to the old town but also have their own charm and amenities. You can easily walk or take a bus to the old town from there. If you want to do a day tour to Montenegro, you can book it online or through your accommodation provider. It’s a scenic and interesting trip, but be prepared for a long day and some border crossings.
For your boat trip, I think you’ll enjoy visiting the islands between Dubrovnik and Split. They are all unique and beautiful, with plenty of history, culture, and nature to explore. Some of my favorites are Mljet, which has a stunning national park with salthingyer lakes, Korčula, which is the birthplace of Marco Polo and has a charming medieval town, and Hvar, which is known for its lavender fields, nightlife, and fortress. You can also visit the Blue Cave on Biševo island, which is a natural phenomenon that creates a magical blue glow inside the cave.

For your stay in Split, I think you have enough time to do some day trips and also see the city itself. Split is a vibrant and historic city, with the impressive Diocletian’s Palace as its centerpiece. You can also visit the nearby Marjan hill, which offers panoramic views of the city and the sea. For your day trips, I suggest visiting Plitvice Lakes National Park, which is one of the most beautiful places in Croatia. It has 16 turquoise lakes connected by waterfalls and surrounded by lush forests. You can also visit Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina, which is a charming town with a famous bridge that spans the Neretva river. If you have time, you can also visit Krka National Park, which is similar to Plitvice but allows swimming in some areas.

For your last part of your trip, I think Istria is a good choice. It has a different vibe than the rest of Croatia, with more Italian influence and cuisine. You can fly to Pula from Split or take a bus or train. Pula is a lively city with a Roman amphitheater and other ancient monuments. You can rent a car there or take public transportation to explore other parts of Istria. Rovinj is a picturesque seaside town with colorful houses and narrow streets. You can also visit Poreč, which has a UNESCO-listed basilica with stunning mosaics, Motovun, which is a hilltop village with truffle hunting opportunities, and Hum, which is the smallest town in the world with only 30 inhabitants.

Finally, for your return flight from Zagreb, you can spend two days in the capital city of Croatia. Zagreb is a lively and cultural city, with many museums, galleries, parks, and cafes to enjoy. Some of the highlights are the Museum of Broken Relationships, which displays objects and stories from failed romances, the Zagreb Cathedral, which is the tallest building in Croatia and has a Gothic style, and the Dolac market, which is a colorful and bustling place to buy fresh produce and local delicacies.

I hope this helps you plan your trip to Croatia. I’m sure you’ll have an amazing time there. If you have any more questions or need more information, feel free to ask me. Have a nice day! 😊

[garitransfer]

Hey! hope you are doing well, Dubrovnik, Croatia can be your best place to visit in May. You will love their scenic island tours and the adventure of boats.