What about taking a night train from Budapest to Ljubljana to save time?

We gave Ljubljana a day, seemed like a lot less to see than Belgrade or Sarajevo. Nice city, however, good bars and cafes.

Two days in Bled should be good, the hostel is great and eating in Slovenia is a real treat – some of the best eats I have had in Europe.

How about spending one day in Bled and one day in nearby Bohinj? Both are lovely!

As for Split, that seems about right, you may even want to leave the same day you arrive if you can get a night connection down south. Split is certainly easy to split.

Hopefully that is a late flight to Vienna and you sir (or maam), have a good itinerary.

I wish more were this refreshing to read.

*I mean staying in Bled both nights and taking a day trip to Bohinj (it is close)

Some damn good bars with damn good food right near that hostel – wish I remembered the names!

Sickboy, this ma’am would like to thank you for the quick response. I wanted to take a night train from Budapest to Ljuljana but unfortunately could not find one on www.bahn.de. The only ones that were showing up, took about 17 hours and that is way too long for a train trip that can be done in about 8 hours. So, I opted for the early morning train instead. But if anyone knows of a possible night train or budget flight, please let me know.

I am not too sure about even spending time in Split because I have heard that it is not that great of a town, though the guidebooks recommend it. That is why I am a bit torn about it. I was thinking of taking that day from Split and adding it to visit Lake Bohinj in Slovenia. Does anyone have preferences out there?

Also, what about Korcula or Hvar… Is either-or, prettier than the other?

By the way the flight to Vienna leaves at 3:00 p.m. So, it gives me the morning to enjoy Dubrovnik a bit longer.

Your itinerary seems kind of rushed to me, but if whirlwind travel is your style, it will work. Some of the distances are long (or at least it takes a long time to get from A to B) and overnight bus rides aren’t all that restful. Personally, I’d spend more time in Slovenia and less in Croatia — but I’m more into mountains that sea coast.

My guess is that you’ll wish had more time to spend in each and every one of these places and that you’ll find the we-have-to-get-to-the-next-place travel style exhausting. We spent 2+ days in Ljubljana — one in town/castle and one on a day trip to Postojna and could easily have spent another day there. We spent 2 days in Bled — one in town/castle/lake/island and one out to various waterfalls, gorges, hikes, ski lifts, mountain vistas etc. and could easily have spent another day there. We had a car, which meant we could get to more places since we didn’t have to work out the logistics of meshing train and bus schedules.

We spent 2+ days in Split, I think a day is fine there — wish the logistics of plane and ferry would have worked out better so we could have spent a day in Hvar/Korcula or gotten to Dubrovnik.
I think you’ll have an absolutely wonderful time and love all of these places.

First off…for sure you are going to have an awesome trip. Just a great area to travel in….Kudos to you on that.

Now my nitpicky little recommendations….

Scratch Split, if possible. Or use it as a transit stop as suggested.

Go to Lake Bohinj, near Bled. It’s awesome and very wildernesslike. Take some time to hike from Bohinj’s bus depot all the way to Mt. Triglav. It’s like a 4-6 hr hike from the bus depot up the Mt. to an overnight hut, but it’s worth it. BTW, I’m not a hiker at all, and not in that good of shape and I loved it. Just bring enough water. We almost didn’t, and I almost died.

Ljubljana deserves some time, if just to experience the "Ice Cream Garden" in all it’s glory. Those who have been know, and know what I mean. The Cokolada Kupa is fantastic. Sorry, you are making me reminisce here, I lived in LJU for a summer and worked there. The bars in the center of town are pretty cool in the summer, there is a neat little alley, quite near to the Triple Bridge.

Also, there is a Cuban bar/club/restaurant a tad out of the center. Don’t remember the name, but really how many Cuban bars can there be in Lju. Check it out, fun place.

-A

Thanks so much for all the help! I am feeling more confident about this portion of the itinerary. I going to scratch off Split, just because I am not that convinced in it being worthwhile and adding that extra day to spend around Lake Bohinj. I love the mountains so it should be fun! Unfortunately, from Ljubljana I only found a night bus that goes to Split and no night trains. If anyone knows of a night train or a flight please let me know! The bus idea sounds long and exhausting but at least it doesn’t take up a day to get there. I am not too worried about the rapid pace, I have spent quite sometime traveling in other areas of Europe and we usually go at this pace. I feel that at least two nights in one place is usually good enough. Sure, I would love to spend a week in most places but unfortunately I don’t have the time or money to do that. I look forward to the day in Ljubljana. Auher, your suggestions while there sound great. That Cuban bar sounds cool… I am actually Cuban. I don’t live there obviously because if I did I would not be allowed to travel but it would be interesting to see what their idea of a Cuban bar is.

We took the train from Ljubljana to Zagreb and then flew on Air Croatia to Split — would have preferred to fly to Dubrovnik but we had to be in Rome on a specific day and could not work out off-season ferry/train/plane connections from Dubrovnik.

quote:
Unfortunately, from Ljubljana I only found a night bus that goes to Split and no night trains. If anyone knows of a night train or a flight please let me know! The bus idea sounds long and exhausting but at least it doesn’t take up a day to get there.

As far as I’m aware, there is no night train between Split and Ljubljana . I did the night bus going the opposite direction and it wasn’t too bad. The driver did blast some Croatian folk music at odd times of the night, but it certainly wasn’t my worst transportation experience.

I haven’t been to Slovenia but I spent 2 weeks in Croatia and it wasn’t nearly enough!

I agree with others that Split doesn’t require an overnight. Both the bus and the ferry are right near the market and Diocletian’s Palace. There is a place for you to check luggage at the bus station while you wander around for a few hours. It is worth 1/2 a day but I would not overnight. The ferry from Split to Hvar will take about 1 1/2 hours.

We stayed on Hvar and loved it. I haven’t been to Korcula yet but I think Hvar may have better night life. Anyone know for sure? Hvar town is beautiful and there are great restaurants and bars in town. The ferry from Hvar to Dubrovnik will take 8 hours.

I am surprised that no one suggested more time in Dubrovnik! I fell in love with Dubrovnik and had a hard time pulling myself away, after 5 days, to go to Rome (I had been to Rome and it is one of my favorite cities).

Enjoy your trip!

Eurotraveler: I have heard great things about Dubvronik. Do you think I should take out Hvar or Korcula for more time spent in Dubvronik? Because I can just go straight from Split to Dubrovnik and spend all my time there.

Sorry I haven’t replied sooner. I am planning a trip to Turkey and it seems that very few people here have travelled around Turkey so I am spending time on other forums.

As much as I enjoyed Hvar, I would save that for your return trip because I am sure you will want to return to Croatia some day!

Since you have such a short time in Croatia I would focus on Dubrovnik.

Cheers!

I just got back from Turkey a couple weeks ago. Spent time in Istanbul & Cappadocia (LOVED Cappadocia!!).

Let me know if you have any specific questions. I’ve got a recommendation of a GREAT place to stay in Cappadocia if u go!

_A

I thought Hvar was really pretty and there are some great bars and restaurants and it’s more of a party town but I loved Dubrovnik so much more. Another option instead of the ferry to Dub is to go back to Split (1 hour on the katamaran) and then get the bus to Dub – 4 hours of spectacular scenery!

another transportation possibility: you can take the train (very comfortable!) from Ljubljana to Rijeka for about 10-12 EUROs. It’s only 2 hours. Then from Rijeka you can spend the night in a very comfortable ferry that makes its way to Split (about 12 hours), Hvar, and Dubrovnik.

I think that the train to Rijeka and then the ferry is the best idea if you can work out the dates (there isn’t a coastal ferry every day). You may even be able to bypass Split and stay on the ferry until Hvar or Korcula. Both are beautiful stops but Hvar is best for nightlife.

Jeanne
http://www.croatiatr…