Same here. I have not visited but have heard nothing but wonderful things from those who have visited.

My son went 2 years ago and my nephew went last summer and they all loved it. My son is away for the weekend skiing but when he's home I'll ask him for some suggestion.

How long are you going for?

My daughter visited last year and said it was the best vacation she'd ever had, not to mention the delicious seafood she and her friend ate every night. I can also ask her for suggestions.

Croatia's greatest national resource is its stunningly beautiful coastline - extensive islands and beaches dotted with little villages. And relatively inexpensive prices compared to other places in Europe. While on vacation there, you can look forward to enjoying meeting fellow tourists from many different countries because it is a popular destination for vacationing Europeans.

I spent brief moments while on a cruise with stops in Split and Dubrovnik. I felt both were overrated from a touristism standpoint. People go to the Balkan coast for the weather and sea access, not necessarily for culture or cuisine. I'm sure you'll have a great time.

We only have a week. We didn't really plan to go to Dubrovnik since it is way down (up?) the coast, and Split only to fly into. Have heard good things about Korcula, also. I wish we could play it by ear and just drive the coast, but being as it's peak summer travel I think we should plan a little better. BL and Sjerin, I would appreciate what your family members have to share. We will be traveling with son and girlfriend, daughter, a friend of ours, and hubby and I, so twenty-somethings and fifty-somethings.

Split is home to Diocletian's Palace. Diocletian was one of the later Roman emperors who had this palace constructed as a retirement home. Over the centuries different parts have been repurposed, which is why an old Roman Temple is now a Christian church. They've been digging out the old foundations which are really neat to take a tour of.

From Split I'd recommend a trip to Trogir. Trogir occupies pretty well all of the tiny island it is built on and has some amazing ancient buildings. There is a very good walking tour on offer from the tourist office.

Along the coast, you could stop at Krka which is similar to Plitvice but different enough to be worth visiting IMO.

Then on to Zadar, which is really interesting and has the Sea Organ and the Tribute to the Sun. This is a large plaza at the edge of the sea, which has little lights embedded in it. The Sea Organ is pipes under the plaza which are open to the sea and which are tuned so that when the waves push air up them they make a sound. The lights light up at night and make random patterns depending on the sounds generated by the Sea Organ. It's really neat, and to sit there and watch the sun go down is a magical experience. Apparently Alfred Hitchcock said they were the most beautiful sunsets in the world. We visited a church there which was built around the year 1000 and is clearly made from chunks of old Roman buildings.

Form Zadar you go up to Plitvice Lakes, which are amazing, and huge. You could easily spend two days wandering around in there. The scenery and waterfalls are just gorgeous.

We did this trip in reverse a few years back and I would love to do it again. If you like cheese do try the Pag cheese which is delicious; it's a huge pity we can't get it here. Also try the Prsut, which is like Prosciutto.

I really envy you :-)

Perfect, Colleen, that's exactly what I was looking for! Sounds wonderful!

when are you going? just as long it's not in august...mother made that mistake once and said never again...it's like all of Europe was on vacation...

Daughter answered with this: (I only told her you were visiting Croatia in general.)

Hmmm....for some reason I cannot paste her answer here--even tried to put it in a Word document first. Will try again.

So sorry for the big print, but am now able to paste: (Edited to add I guess the print size fixed itself.)

Hvar is awesome!!! Beautiful beaches and great food and beautiful lavender fields, I would highly recommend it (I wish Kelsey and I had stayed there longer instead of Split. Split is okay but the beaches aren't nearly as nice and there's not as much to do.)

I also loved loved loved Dubrovnik. The Old City is incredible - you can walk the walls on top of the city, it's right on the coast with the most beautiful beaches you will ever see and plenty of rocky beaches you can use for swimming and sunning and kayaking and the like.

I hear the Plitvice lakes are incredible- wish I could have seen them!

Also- she should make sure she tries their dish of mussels in white wine tomato broth. SO GOOD.