Best of Croatia

This trip was exactly what I needed. After years of family holidays and work trips, doing something like this — just me, my wife, a car, and no daily schedule, felt like a throwback to how we used to travel. The best part? We weren’t herded around or stuck waiting for a big group. We just got in the car and drove. Some days we were super active, other days we just wandered and sat in cafes. Croatia’s charm is obvious, but Slovenia really caught us off guard. The nature is pristine, the towns feel like no less than a fairytale, and even the touristy places don’t feel overwhelming. Also, it’s worth saying the roads were great, parking wasn’t a nightmare, and the car rental process was straightforward. That stuff matters when you’re not 25 anymore. If you want a bit of culture, nature, good food, and a proper break from the usual routine this is your tour. We’re already talking about doing another self-drive next year. Portugal, maybe?

We’ve done a few self-drive trips before, but this one across Croatia and Slovenia? One for the books. First off, the route is genius. You start strong in Dubrovnik — the kind of place that just knocks the wind out of you. That view from the city walls? Unreal. The rental car setup was smooth, and driving in Croatia was easier than we expected, thanks tp great signages. Split was a big favorite, felt lively and ancient at the same time. And Plitvice Lakes? We thought we'd seen some beautiful parks in our time, but those waterfalls are something else. Just go early.. the crowds are real. Slovenia was a lovely surprise. Postojna Caves felt like another planet and Lake Bled too. Ljubljana and Zagreb had that easy-going charm we weren’t expecting. We liked having the freedom to stop when we wanted. Tiny roadside bakeries, scenic detours, coastal towns we hadn’t even heard of. That’s the magic of a self-drive tour. All in all, great mix of history, nature, and freedom. If you like doing your own thing but with a solid plan in place, this one’s a winner.