Balkans Itinerary - June 2016
June 13th - depart JFK on Aer Lingus to Dublin
June 14th - arrive Dublin; overnight at Maldron Airport Hotel. Ask for a quiet room and for detailed directions on where to catch the free shuttle from the airport
June 15th - fly Aer Lingus from Dublin to Dubrovnik. Rent a car from the airport and drive 1 hour 30 minutes to Kotor, Montenegro. Spend two nights at Apartments Radulovic for 100 Euros per night.
June 17th - drive from Kotor, Montenegro to Dubrovnik and return car. Spend two nights at the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik. Ask for a lower rate if you pay in advance (440 Euros per night for a family suite on the concierge floor). Book a day with Pepo Klaic to tour Dubrovnik and Mostar, Bosnia.
June 19th - book Korkyra Transfers to pick you up and drive you, via ferry, to Korcula (we did not like our driver, ask for someone cautious and experienced). The transfer takes about 2 1/2 hours. Spend three nights at Adriatic Pearl Korcula for 120 Euros per night. Book a day on Paulina and Antonio's boat from Korcula Waterfront Accommodation. Use Taxi Jerry to take you to the beach.
June 22nd - take Jadrolinija ferry (book online in advance) to Hvar (1 hour 45 minutes). Book Secret Offroad Tour to see the island properly, which includes an hour at a beautiful beach and an authentic lunch. We stayed one night at Park Hotel Hvar, which I thought was convenient and friendly, but overpriced (355 Euros).
June 23rd - take Jadrolinija ferry (book online in advance) to Split. Drop your luggage at the Split Walking Tour Company office. Join a walking tour of Diocletian's Palace. Pick up a car in Split to drive to Plitvice. Stay one night at the Plitvice Miric Inn (126 Euros).
June 24th - after hiking Plitvice National Park, drive to Rovinj in Istria. Stay two nights at Hotel Monte Mulini if you can snag an early booking discount and afford it. We paid 657 Euros per night for two connecting rooms.
June 26th - drive from Rovinj to Ljubljana (stop after you cross into Slovenia to buy the highway toll sticker called a "vignette"), and stay overnight at the Adora Hotel (we stayed in the hotel's apartment building around the corner for 120 Euros).
June 27th - drive one hour to Lake Bled. We stayed at the Pension Mayer, which was just okay but affordable at 109 Euros, and one of the few guesthouses that permitted a one night stay.
June 28th - drive through Austria (buy the highway toll sticker at a gas station called a "vignette") to Munich. Drop off the car at the train station. Stay two nights at the Hotel Platzl, conveniently located and very comfortable, although pricey for a family as two rooms are required, each at 280 Euros per night.
June 30th - fly from Munich to JFK via Dublin on Aer Lingus.
- If you have a couple of extra days, add a night in Hvar or Rovinj, and a night in Salzburg since you are driving through on the way to Munich.