Just returned.

We have just returned from Dubrovnik we stayed at the Astrea Hotel in the picturesque village of Mlini which is situated halfway between the airport %26amp; Dubrovnik approx 10 kms from both. The hotel has commanding views across the bay and is virtually located on the beach. It was very clean, had good facilities and the food was adequate.

A short 2/3 minute walk from the hotel along the flat coastal road which brings you into Mlini village, which nestles around a small harbour. From here you can catch the regular %26amp; inexpensive boat service to Dubrovnik and the nearby coastal resorts and Islands.

We found the Adriana boat service the cheapest.

We found the private taxi%26#39;s the cheapest way to do tours. We had befriended two other couples during the week who also wanted to do the tours so we booked with them. The intinary was indentical to that offered by the major tour operators. We went in an air conditioned mini bus with a man(Steve) who spoke perfect English, he constantly pointed out places of interest %26amp; told us all about them. Unlike the main tour operators we were in complete control of the trip i.e. how long we spent in each resort, where %26amp; when we stopped ect. He even made a detour when asked and took us to the beautiful Kravice waterfalls in Bosnia.

Trips we would definitely recommend are;

Montenegro. My favourite!

Mostar in Bosnia.

Cavtat.

Elafiti Islands. Sipan, Lopud, Kolocep.

The Dubrovnik city walls would be my first place to visit though it%26#39;s an amazing place.

We had friends who visited Montenegro with one of our tour operators the day before, they were out for 12hrs came back exhausted %26amp; not very happy at all. The longest they had in one place was 45mins. We had 2hrs 45mins in Budva.

I%26#39;m just sorry we didn%26#39;t have two weeks, the whole area is a haven of outstanding beauty and tranquillity I would loved to of seen more.

If anyone would like Steve%26#39;s number P.M me.

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thanks for the report, makes me miss Croatia even more

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Perhaps this is more appropriate to a different forum but why was Montenegro your favourite? Where did you visit? Thanks for posting your report, very helpful.

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Read your trip with Steve and sounds very much like what we want to do. May we please have his number and all his contact information.

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Our first stop was the Bay of Kotor to take photographs of the two churches on the fjord which were very beautiful. Then we visited the medieval town Kotor which is at the head of the fjord with many pretty squares, churches and pleasant cafes to while away time. We then headed over Mount Lovcen to the Medieval town Budva which again was absolutely beautiful. It was so different to every where else we had visited it had everything old medival town, views, harbour %26amp; a really nice beach.

Of course none of them came close to the beauty of old town Dubrovnik but they were well worth visiting!

To be honest I did not expect to do as many tours as we did but we could not just sit on the beach %26amp; sun bathe when there was so much to see. I knew Croatia was beautiful but not that beautiful??

How lucky they are to wake up every morning to the peace, tranquillity and amazing views. The only thing we heard most of the time were the birds!

I cannot wait to go again!

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Hi, Steve%26#39;s phone number is ++35 (0)98 1841 841.

He really was very good, one lady seen the waterfall mentioned on our map %26amp; asked if we could visit it on our way back so he went out of his way to take us there.

On our trip back from Montenegro, he took us to see a beautiful resturant just the other side of Dubrovnik airport not to stay or eat but just to take photographs, again was beautiful.

We did ask if we could stay and have a coffee and we did, although we had been out all day.

It is used by the cruise liners for their guests to stop and have something to eat after their visit to Montenegro.

I know you%26#39;ll have a lovely time, we did.

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You are indeed right...how lucky they are to wake up every morning to the beauty of Dubrovnik....or many other Croatian places for that matter!!!

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Dont know this Steve guy but I think the proper phone number should be:

++ 385 98 1841 841

385 – code nr Croatia

(0) – not necessary when dialing from abroad

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You are right, you do take away the 0 that is why I put it in brackets.

There is a office in the Hotel Asterea reception area where Steve can also be contacted. We enquired there about the tours and they got in touch with him, that is how we found him.

I also forgot to mention on our way home we shared a mini bus/taxi with another couple back to the airport and we were only charged 150 kuna between us. So if you are travelling independently it%26#39;s well worth sharing.

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Dear Merseyside shopper, sounds like you had a great time. I%26#39;d like your opinion... my hubby %26amp; I (both 50) are heading to europe in sept 2009 %26amp; have 1 week to see a bit of Croatia.We were planning to fly to Split then ferry to Hvar then on to Korcula before going on to Dubrovnik for a few nights. After reading your post, however, we think we may just fly straight to Dubrovnik for the whole week %26amp; do day trips from there.We have been told that the islands are beautiful but we are not into lying in the sun for hours on end or just sitting in bars drinking %26amp; looking at the scenery. We prefer to be fairly active sightseeing %26amp; think it may be easier to stay in the one place for the week. Your thoughts on this would be much appreciated.

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Hi,

I have heard all the islands are beautiful and I did want to visit Korcula but we didn%26#39;t have enough time. We were only there for a week and we were out every day, I do like to sunbathe but it was so beautiful there I could not waste my days lazing on a beach.

I know when I go again (which I can%26#39;t wait to) I am planning to go to book a hotel in Korcula for a couple of nights(I%26#39;ve heard that is stunning) then Dubronik for the rest of the week.

I would recommend the Hotel Astarea though it is in a beautiful spot with amazing views. The hotel also has a courtesy bus to takes you in to Dubrovnik for a small charge but its much nicer by boat the views are amazing.

I really would recommend doing your tours to Bosnia and Montenegro with a private taxi.

The boat trip to Elafiti Islands is a full day out lunch included, is well worth the money.

I know what ever you do you will not be disappointed.