Slovenia/Croatia

[Poppy]

Thinking of going in June next year.Have the full month.Will it be very hot? Any tips?

[David Dwight]

Hi Poppy.

 

We have just returned from a 10 week trip to Slovenia and Croatia.

 

Yes I think you will find it quite hot in June, we even had some very hot days.

Slovenia might be a shade cooler due to the Mountains, croatia is a little cooler on the coast but can still be hot.

 

Both Countries a lovely especially Croatia.

 

Lots of interesting places in Slovenia around the Julian Alps.

 

Croatia 2 places not to be missed platvica National Park, a series of lakes interconected by waterfalls (slaps) the countryside is limestone so it makes for interesting features in the Valleys and consequently the falls. Platlenika National Park is also very good a few minutes from the coast.

Pag Island is interesting also Krk Island and Cres.

Pula is a must for the Roman Amphitheatre.

 

Buy yourselves some good maps for both Countries, before you go.

We did not book any camp sites, but they do tend to get full.

The facilities on the sites are generaly very good, spotlessly clean better than a lot of the sites in the UK, they dont close the toilet blocks for cleaning as there is usualy an attendant there all the time cleaning behind you, they have dog showers with hot water also the emptying point for cassette toilets have hot water to rinse out with. The sites are a tad expensive but well worth it, we only had one bad site and that was in Italy on the way home.

 

We will definately be going back in the future.

 

David.

[Brian Kirby]

Slovenia is Euro, Croatia is not.

Croatia should be covered as standard by your insurance, but there is a chance it will not be, or that the insurer will insist you take a green card, for which they will probably charge.  Croatia ends, more or less, at Dubrovnik. 

In practical terms, there are two ways to Dubrovnik, to drive via Neum, which means passing through about 15 miles of Bosnia.  Bosnia is far more difficult with UK insurance, many firms will not cover it at all, some will, subject to green card and additional premium, and most will impose a time limit on the cover.  Do check.

You cannot buy insurance for the Neum corridor at the "border" - which in any case hardly exists as a proper border.  So far as I know, if you "wing it", and many seem to, you will have no insurance whatever while in Bosnia.  If the worst happens, this could have serious consequences.

The alternative is to take a ferry from Ploce to Trpanj.  It is only about 9 miles, and not expensive.  This cuts out the Neum corridor by going round it, via the Peljesac peninsula.  Roads on the peninsula are a bit narrow, but are used by buses.  The only drawback, as we discovered, is that when the Bora blows, it piles water into the Peljesac channel and the ferry ramps become too steep for motorhomes to get on/off without risk of grounding.

Be prepared for long delays at the Croatian border when re-entering Slovenia.

Bora.  A very fierce wind that can blow at more or less any time of year.  It blows south down the Adriatic coast, but originates inland and is funnelled through valleys in the coastal mountain range with interesting effects when driving a motorhome!  There are various other local winds, usually called a Maestral, that can also liven things up a bit.  Croatia can be surprisingly windy: few breezes, but full-on winds.  When they blow, they BLOW! :-)

Motorways in Slovenia are subject to tolls, for which a vignette is required.  If you take the motorway down Croatia, which is much quicker than the coast road (the Magistrala), be aware that if the Bora blows, the motorway bridge over the Maslenica gorge (in north Dalmatia, near Starigrad) is prone to closure with ensuing delays.

Best advice on where to go is to get guide books for both countries, and look out what interests you.  We found Split far more interesting than Dubrovnik, for example, but there are a number of other interesting old coastal towns, mainly Venetian in origin.

You can get to Krk and Pag islands by bridge, for others you'll need a ferry.  Most ferries are operated by Jadrolinija.

Enjoy!

[David Dwight]

As Brian says when the Bora blows it blows we had it one day at Starigrad but it only lasted a few hours, furtunately we were quite sheltered on the Camp site there. Several vehicles were blown over on the Motorway though. We got the Bora again when we crossed to Krk we were on the Camp site just after the Bridge, and a very uncomfortable night too!

 

Safeguard issued us with green card for both countries and did not charge.

We spoke to a couple from Denmark they said they got Insurance cover for Bosnia at the Border.

 

Deisel was about £1 a litre and its the same price all over in Croatia regardless of Motorway or Towns.

 

We managed in Slovenia without using the Motorways. If you use the Motorway in Croatia you miss all the fantastic views along the Coast road, it is slower but then whats the hurry.

 

We did not get any further down the Coast than Sibinik, so cannot comment on what its like further south, thats for next time.

 

Oh and we did buy some Pag cheese (paskie sir) not like Andy Stothard but were dissapointed in it. Now honey thats another matter if yhou buy it in the Market in Pula is a reasonable price in 1kg jars, and the different types very nice too.

[Don Madge]

Poppy - 2010-10-31 10:55 AM

 

Thinking of going in June next year.Have the full month.Will it be very hot? Any tips?

For in depth info on Croatia see http://www.langdale-associates.com/croatia_2008/croatia.htm

 

For slovenia see http://www.langdale-associates.com/Slovenia%202004/slovenia.htm

 

More info at http://www.magbaztravels.com/content/category/8/19/30/ and http://www.magbaztravels.com/content/category/8/21/30/

 

That lot will give you some ideas.

 

Safe travelling

 

Don

 

 

[Poppy]

Thank you all very much! Will be ordereing the ACSI card as well.

[Guest JudgeMental]

Thanks Don for the links, as we are thinking of Croatia for the summer...unfortunataly can only go school holidays July/August *-)

 

Only want to visit the northern part, Istra and the islands? would it be necessary to book campsites in high season? (have done the coast road down to Dubrovnik many years ago on way to Greece)

[Don Madge]

JudgeMental - 2010-11-01 10:04 AM

 

Thanks Don for the links, as we are thinking of Croatia for the summer...unfortunataly can only go school holidays July/August *-)

 

Only want to visit the northern part, Istra and the islands? would it be necessary to book campsites in high season? (have done the coast road down to Dubrovnik many years ago on way to Greece)

 

Hi Eddie,

 

it's a long time since I had to holiday in July/August. I just don't know what to say, you will most likely find a pitch somewhere, it might not be to your liking. On the other hand you might end up with the same pitch if you book in advance unless you know or have a plan of the site to select a pitch.

 

I should think the popular sites on the Istrian Peninsula will be crowded especially the naturist ones.

 

Anyway all the best pitches will have been booked way in advance anyway.

 

We were in Croatia this year, May for the Bayern school holidays and in the sites we stayed at all the front row beach/water side pitches were all taken by caravans well dug in for the season.

 

We had plenty of room further back and it was quieter, for some reason some people like to get there wheels almost in the water.

 

If you plan to visit the islands be prepared to have long waits for the ferries.

 

Safe travelling.

 

Don

[David Dwight]

Your Honour

 

I think it would be advisable to book sites in advance at that time of the year especially Isteria as I think it would be very busy.

 

This year there were more Germans in Croatia than in their own country me thinks!!

[Brian Kirby]

Is that Wisteria, Listeria or Histeria, David?  :-) 

Seriously, I think there were more Germans everywhere than in Germany!  Was certainly true in Greece.  In fact, I think the whole European camping trade would fold without the Germans.  They even outnumbered the Dutch!  French next, followed by Belgians.  Brits wayeeeeeeeeeeeee behind.

So annoying having the most buoyant economy of all the EC countries, don't you think?  Or have our politicos now dropped that (always spurious) claim?  :-D

Practical issue.  Most campsites in Croatia are on the coast so, in the summer peak, there is very little alternative inland where pressure on space might be expected to be lower.  I think you'll have to book.  Research carefully, as some of the sites are well away from towns, shops etc, leaving you to drive out, or resign yourselves to being a captive market.  If you want a nice beach, research very carefully!  Istria will, from memory, be easier, but much of the coast south of Rijeka has little in the way of beaches, some resorts existing with just concrete aprons in lieu of anything natural.  Tito just wanted to pack'em in, and many places seem to exist only as rental apartments, hotels, restaurants, and campsites, with no character and a skeleton winter population.

In 2008, we stayed at Camping Lucija, in Portoroz.  Just in Slovenia, on north coast, not far from Trieste, close to Croatian border, with a good supermarket within walking distance, and with a bus to Piran, which is largely Venetian and very attractive.  No real beach so far as I can remember, but quite presentable.  Facilities elderly, but entirely acceptable and very clean.  Not a glamorous site, but functionally satisfactory.

A few others.

Autocamp Porton Biondi is near Rovinj (West coast of Istria), which is also Venetian and also very pretty.  Site is within walking (just) distance of town, where all shops, restaurants etc live.  Was another acceptable site with perfectly usable facilities.

Autocamp Stoja is near Pula, yet more Venetian influence, but not, IMO quite so attractive, nor so handy, but there is a bus in.  Facilities were quite good, as I recall.  It occupies an isthmus, so water all around, but not that many good bathing places as generally rocky.  Spiny sea urchins a potential hazard.

Autocamp Sirena, at Novigrad (Istria, west coast) was quite good and had, from memory, about the best beach of the lot.

Autocamp Medveja (Medveja, East coast of Istria) is pleasant enough, and there is a good beach, but Medveja itself is pretty much non-existent.

I think I've got them the right way round, but have to go to eat, so no time to complete checks.

[mirage]

From my limited experience of only having been as far as Rovinj in Croatia, the Euro Zone was cheaper especially for food in shops etc with far less chance of being ripped off.

[Guest JudgeMental]

Do you think 3 weeks on the Peloponnese would be a better bet (allowing one week travelling) alternatively I could travel down alone and Mrs M fly over and that way we could have the full month in Greece.....

 

although we would like to tour down through Black forest, Austria etc.. and then some beach time in Croatia and the islands, before heading up to Lake Garda to meet the kids and friends for a week

 

decisions, decisions.......:-D

[lennyhb]

We did Slovenia in August 2008, no problem getting pitches wasn't very warm only mid 20's.

Great country, campsites expensive and not many Aires, wild camping is illegal but plenty of places off the beaten where you won't get any problems.

Loads of Brits there far more than you get in southern Germany.

 

 

[Guest JudgeMental]

well that why we invested in the roof top a/c unit as well as the cab a/c because due to my wifes profession we are always forced into going away high season :-S

[malc d]

My tip for visiting Croatia is to get a good map and avoid any 'short cuts' on minor roads.

We left the coast and went inland to visit the Plitvice Lakes ( well worth a visit) and decided to take a shorter route back to the coast.

Following what appeared to be, what we would call 'B' roads, we ended up on gravel tracks that were little more than bridle ways !

 

( And at that time - about 4-5 years ago - there were warnings of mines in the forests on either side of the track ).

 

Would certainly go again.

 

 

[Petra]

Your honour

 

Are you crazy, the Pelopnese in July and August!! Greek campsites aren't the best sites in the world or anywhere to be honest but in July and August, never mind the Germans it will be full of Italians and their grandmothers, kids, aunties, dogs, rubber boats and everything else they can carry. Just a warning!!!

[Guest JudgeMental]

and whats wrong with Italians? lovely people, we have visited Italy every year for last 4 years (only to be surrounded by Dutch*-))

 

We used to tour all the time before the kids, and always found somewhere with out booking, weren't really that fussy then, but children start to skew your thought processes with "Oh! daddy we cant stop here!" (if less then 5 stars and no other English kids:-S)

 

So I think we may just go and see what happens... Unless someone can recommend good Croatian seaside sites with decent cycling?

[Petra]

There's nothing wrong with Italians, they are a great bunch of people but they tend to be incredibly noisy but if you've got kids ....... :-D :-D :-D

[Guest JudgeMental]

Noooo this will be our first holiday without our teenagers...Daughter oft to India and son of for his first trip with mates after A levels. But a campsite without children's laughter and play? you can keep it

[JeffersonCampervan]

Many Thanks to the contributors to this thread!

We are planning a 6 week loop starting June 27 Romania-Bulgaria-Macedonia-Albania-Croatia- Slovenia.

 

Lots of good info here - maybe we'll run into some of you in July (we're hard to miss, with Canadian license plates on the RV).

[chris]

As we too have to go in August then I can assure you that I would not book again.

 

Last year we left 23rd July and went through Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria (off Motorway too), Slovenia and stayed at lake Bled for 5 days where we had made our first booking and there were spaces every day BUT GET THERE EARLY as tenters were squeezing in any space as the evening went on so you had to mark out your pitch. We then had 1 night unbooked and we called into campsite just before and just after Plitvicca Lakes and both were half empty on 31st July. We then went to omis JUST south of Split at Camping Galeb. Again there were spaces there each day (August 1st-4th). We had booked in and it wasnt cheap. We then went to Camping Rozec on the Island Of Trogir just North of Split and as it was a small site we had booked here.........you will not get in here in August if not booked as they were turning people away.

After this we just drove up the coast (as the kids flew back from Split airport) and looked for pitches. We called into 2 where there were spaces but we thought them pricey and moved on. A nice small orchard site sounded good but they were so good they were booked up so we ended up on a more commercial site where there was plenty of room again. We went up the coast again and found a great site and again they were really empty before midday and filled up after 3pm but the owner never turned anyone away

We then went to Novigrad and there were 3 pitches available about 11am so we stayed there.

 

Generally the pitches for 2 with electric can be from £24 upwards and there is no wild camping. Nearly all sites are on the coast and there are some narrow entrances to drive down to them and you are unsure if you will get through or not so we drove passed those.

We took about 8-9 days to get back to Calais which was a bit of a rush to be honest but it depends on your ability to drive long distances.

 

The autoroutes in Slovania and Croatia are brilliant and the main roads are good too so don't be put off. The coast north of Zadar is a bit slow and we were warned off that coast road as we have a 7metre van and needed to get from A to B quickly.

 

If we go again in August I would never book again if its just the 2 of us but it is worth planning out a couple of campsites that you might use.

Chris

[Guest JudgeMental]

Thanks very much Chris...

 

I suppose now the next question should be is there any sites worth booking in advance?

[chris]

It was this year we went not last year sorry.

Chris