Stunning scenery
friendly people
not over-commercialised (this may be a disadvantage if you enjoy shopping)
not over-crowded
different places to visit
short haul flight

we went to Rovinj a few years ago and could not fault it...however, having been to the Balearics for years, we DID miss that Spanishness, somehow, so I can understand your reluctance.......

I made a resort report here
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/reviews/croatia/rovinj/

and a hotel report here
http://www.holidaytruths.co.uk/reviews/croatia/rovinj/park-hotel/

Croatia is a long, thin country; you may prefer to go to the southern end and Dubrovnik etc., I haven't been there so can't comment (we went to the northern part as we vould fly to Pula from our local airport).

We spent a week on Kortula Island and a week in Dubrovnik several years ago with Yugotours and it was one of the best holidays we have ever had.
We stayed at the Marco Polo hotel on Kortula which had the Yugotours holiday club and stayed at the Minceta in Dunrovnik.
We have been meaning to go back to the Northern resorts but as yet havent made it.

Thanks both - the research starts here.

We have been to Porec and Umag a few times and really enjoyed it. There were numerous excursions available such as the Postojna Caves, Lake Bled and a day trip to Venice or Trieste.

luci

Is it a country you'd go to for a fornight's summer holiday, or would a short break at a different time of year be best?

We went to Tucepi about 18 years ago,it was a fabulous holiday.We hired a car and went to Mostar and also went on a day trip to Dubrovnik.The scenery was stunning ,we intend to return in the next year or two ,our son is sixteen so will not want to come with us soon,there didn't seem much in the way of entertainment in the hotels but that may have changed now.T.

I've stayed in Cavtat twice and it is one of the nicest places i've been to.Dubrovnik is about 7 miles away and trips to Bosnia and Montenegro are worth doing.It's a beautiful country and it won't be too long before we return.

we went to porec and then rovinj the following year and both were lovely. the people were friendly,if a little reserved.it was very clean and the food in both hotels were very good.they still have their own currency - the kuna. the beaches were all stoney,didnt see any sandy ones. there wasn't a lot to buy if you like shopping. we would like to go back for a week because it is a short flight. i think it was about 2003 when we went.

I spent a very good week in May in Dubrovnik a couple of years ago. It is not a country for sandy beaches, as most of the coastline is rocky and 'beaches' as such are pebbly. However it is very beautiful and the water is crystal clear.

I would suggest that organised tours are a good way of seeing sights local to Dubrovnik, because with the reorganisation of 'Yugoslavia', many lovely places are now in different countries which might complicate cross-border transits with a hire car (our coach was held up for half an hour and we had to parade out with our passports and transit on foot) at an EMPTY crossing between Croatia and Montenegro for example .. and it wasn't empty from lack of staff!!).

I recommend visiting Kotor, Cetinje, and Budva in Montenegro and Mostar in.. (oh heck I think it's now in Bosnia) if you are staying in Dubrovnik. Lokrum Island (a natural park) off the coast of Dubrovnik is worth visiting for strolling in greenery and shade, and a boat trip from Dubrovnik to Cavtat is a great way to spend a lazy day.

Next time I go, I'd like to visit Split and Dioclesian's palace ...

Croatia maintains its own currency, and is still a bit prickly with its close neighbours in the former Yugoslavia, but tourists are warmly welcomed and I'd recommend it, though it's more 'laid back' than 'in your face'. I didn't find it particularly cheap, but to each his own concept of 'cheap' and 'good value' (NO judgements implied!).

Is it a country you'd go to for a fornight's summer holiday, or would a short break at a different time of year be best?

I would think that you could fill a week in Dubrovnik with the town and the above-mentioned visits, so Dubrovnik itself would be good for a short break, but if you want a fortnight, you might like to consider a two-centre holiday mixing beach/country and cities.

Makarska Riviera is a popular choice, you will find there beautiful beaches and friendly people.

I've been vacationing in Croatia for several years now. My favorite location is surrounding Zadar. Vrsi, Ljubac, Posedarje are among my favorites. Most people there speak english and are very friendly. Prices are affordable, not what you would expect from a touristic area

we have been a few times to Porec,Zadar and my favorite Podgora on the Makarska Riviera which is a good base to stay and explore the area(you can walk along coast to tucepi) hire a car and drive up the cost to Omish or Split,over to Mostar or down to Dubrovnik which is only couple of hours away which ever way you go you will enjoy fantastic scenery, like the advert on Eurosport says " the mediterranean as it once was" we have been lucky and been all over the world but Croatia still in my top 5 i dont think you will disapionted if you decide to go

EDD

Thanks everyone - it's still on my list

I am thinking of going to Croatia in June and the more I read the more confused I get. Flights from my local airport go to Dubrovnik but I can fly from Manchester if necessary.

I like to do a bit of sight-seeing and a bit of sunbathing.

In the evening I like to sit in a nice (not too expensive) restaurant, have a leisurely meal with a bottle of wine and pass a couple of hours people watching.

Any suggestions?

Patsiej

Same here i'm looking to make a visit to Croatia this year hopefully Dubruvnik.

Can anyone recommend any hotels close to Dubruvnik centre or not too far away i'd be grateful so I can look into these.

I dont mind hotels with a pool and somewhere with abit of nightlife i've heard good things about the place but have not been YET

Many Thanks

Legs

We've never been to Croatia and the more research I did the harder it got. We usually do our own thing, rent a car and travel around but this time we've booked a Saga tour. It covers a lot of ground and islands and if we like it we'll have more idea next time. Greece is our favourite short haul destination so Croatia has a hard act to follow.

Legs, quite a few hotels are on the Lapad peninsular next to Dubrovnik - slightly 'up' the coast and are linked by a frequent bus service. When I went there, you could buy tickets at a slight discount from the hotel reception (Hotel Vis but others offered this service too) so you simply hopped on and showed the driver your ticket. HOWEVER, on the return leg, from the Pile Gate in the centre of Dubrovnik it was an embarrassing shove and free for all to get the return buses ... sadly all foreign visitors pretending they were at home!

The Hotel Uvala has a pool and is close enough to Dubrovnik centre - just opposite the Vis where I stayed - on a bus route. You can also walk down to the 'beach' (pebbles). There are other hotels nearby, and there's one called the Neptune that also has a pool and bus link but might be a bit isolated, being at the end of the peninsular.

Incidentally having had a good time in Dubrovnik - visiting Mostar, Kotor, Lokrum Island and Cavtat - I'm also trying a bit higher up the coast trying to get to the area around Split. Any 'must sees' or 'avoid at all costs' advice would be most welcome.

a group us want to go to croatia in october but a re unsure where to go bearing in mind we are in our mid twenties and are looking to party aswell as be on the beach to do water sports etc.
also as we are going in october whether it will be busy or not.

any suggestions please?