3 month sabbatical - Croatia & Italian lakes (1 Viewer)

[Bobby-gg]

Well, after a little discussion between us, I've officially applied for a 3 month sabbatical for May, June & July 2024 (can't this year, too much already booked) and our very lose plan is a slow meander down to Croatia, maybe taking in the Italian dolomites en-route, then come back via the Italian lakes and a slow meander home again.

Never toured abroad with the van before, but we've plenty of time to plan and read everyone else's blogs and accounts here to ensure that we are well informed.

Fingers crossed work accepts my request

 

[Landy Andy]

Are you planning a trip abroad before? Just a short (compared to 3 months) before you go, or are you happy with how abroad works (if that’s the correct term).

 

[Bobby-gg]

Are you planning a trip abroad before? Just a short (compared to 3 months) before you go, or are you happy with how abroad works (if that’s the correct term).

Nothing in the 'van, we've got benidorm and lake Garda this year - I think that we're quite happy how to go on abroad, and we've quite a long time to research and plan it out

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[Figaro]

It's a great trip, I did similar trip in 2018 same months.
Took early retirement in 2021 so not restricted so much now except for the 90/180 day thing.
Finding the right pace is key, I think we rushed a bit early on in our trip, but we had some wet weather in France and tried to escape from it.
There's so much to see, the Alps are great, Italian lakes wonderful, Croatia National Parks and swimming in the Adriatic are not to be missed.
Lots of research but there are some useful threads on here.
Edit ; Slovenia is worth a detour too, Triglav NP and Soca river valley are breathtakingly beautful

 

[Parrot Face]

Done this several times. Don't be tempted to go for the most popular areas like Garda, Dubrovnik etc . Try the lesser known places like lake Cadazonna or Iseo . In Croatia try not to overlook the Makarska Riviera stretch of coastline and try some of the ACSI sites. If you've never been to Venice it might be worth visiting that. Where ever you go try to avoid school holidays as it can be busy and noisy at those times. There are some amazing places even before you get to those two countries eg The Mosel region of Germany, the lake Bled areas of Slovenia . Here is a link to my blog which i am quite proud of but you might have to scroll around for the appropriate pages . These are the appropriate pages. I would suggest that you click on the photos to enlarge them to get the full benefit. Good luck with the sabatical.

Phil & Barbs "Lightning Tours."

lightningtours.blogspot.com

Phil & Barbs "Lightning Tours."

lightningtours.blogspot.com

Phil & Barbs "Lightning Tours."

lightningtours.blogspot.com

Phil & Barbs "Lightning Tours."

lightningtours.blogspot.com

Phil & Barbs "Lightning Tours."

lightningtours.blogspot.com

Phil & Barbs "Lightning Tours."

lightningtours.blogspot.com

Phil & Barbs "Lightning Tours."

lightningtours.blogspot.com

 

[Bobby-gg]

Done this several times. Don't be tempted to go for the most popular areas like Garda, Dubrovnik etc . Try the lesser known places like lake Cadazonna or Iseo . In Croatia try not to overlook the Makarska Riviera stretch of coastline and try some of the ACSI sites. If you've never been to Venice it might be worth visiting that. Where ever you go try to avoid school holidays as it can be busy and noisy at those times. There are some amazing places even before you get to those two countries eg The Mosel region of Germany, the lake Bled areas of Slovenia . Here is a link to my blog which i am quite proud of but you might have to scroll around for the appropriate pages . These are the appropriate pages. I would suggest that you click on the photos to enlarge them to get the full benefit. Good luck with the sabatical.

Phil & Barbs "Lightning Tours."

lightningtours.blogspot.com

Phil & Barbs "Lightning Tours."

lightningtours.blogspot.com

Phil & Barbs "Lightning Tours."

lightningtours.blogspot.com

Phil & Barbs "Lightning Tours."

lightningtours.blogspot.com

Phil & Barbs "Lightning Tours."

lightningtours.blogspot.com

Phil & Barbs "Lightning Tours."

lightningtours.blogspot.com

Phil & Barbs "Lightning Tours."

lightningtours.blogspot.com

Thank you Parrot Face

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[Riverbankannie]

Done this several times. Don't be tempted to go for the most popular areas like Garda, Dubrovnik etc . Try the lesser known places like lake Cadazonna or Iseo . In Croatia try not to overlook the Makarska Riviera stretch of coastline and try some of the ACSI sites. If you've never been to Venice it might be worth visiting that. Where ever you go try to avoid school holidays as it can be busy and noisy at those times. There are some amazing places even before you get to those two countries eg The Mosel region of Germany, the lake Bled areas of Slovenia . Here is a link to my blog which i am quite proud of but you might have to scroll around for the appropriate pages . These are the appropriate pages. I would suggest that you click on the photos to enlarge them to get the full benefit. Good luck with the sabatical.

Phil & Barbs "Lightning Tours."

lightningtours.blogspot.com

Phil & Barbs "Lightning Tours."

lightningtours.blogspot.com

Phil & Barbs "Lightning Tours."

lightningtours.blogspot.com

Phil & Barbs "Lightning Tours."

lightningtours.blogspot.com

Phil & Barbs "Lightning Tours."

lightningtours.blogspot.com

Phil & Barbs "Lightning Tours."

lightningtours.blogspot.com

Phil & Barbs "Lightning Tours."

lightningtours.blogspot.com

Just been doing some planning and reading your blogs. Thank you very much for sharing. You have made such a lot of lovely trips.

 

[PB2019]

We we’re planning to go to Croatia this year however just found out that NFU only cover the Motorhome third party, so not sure if we will go there now.

 

[Figaro]

That's odd, they're a fully integrated member of the EU and have accepted all the reciprocal trading agreements etc.
I'd be inclined to ring and speak to someone if you haven't done so already.
Who is the underwriter for nfu ?

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[jameswrice007]

Well, after a little discussion between us, I've officially applied for a 3 month sabbatical for May, June & July 2024 (can't this year, too much already booked) and our very lose plan is a slow meander down to Croatia, maybe taking in the Italian dolomites en-route, then come back via the Italian lakes and a slow meander home again.

Never toured abroad with the van before, but we've plenty of time to plan and read everyone else's blogs and accounts here to ensure that we are well informed.

Fingers crossed work accepts my request

The Dolomites is heaven on earth. Also Slovenia (around Lake Bled) is beautiful as is Austria. I’d drive through Croatia and head to Bosnia (the best of all). Happy sabbatical.

 

[Claire Ambler]

Well, after a little discussion between us, I've officially applied for a 3 month sabbatical for May, June & July 2024 (can't this year, too much already booked) and our very lose plan is a slow meander down to Croatia, maybe taking in the Italian dolomites en-route, then come back via the Italian lakes and a slow meander home again.

Never toured abroad with the van before, but we've plenty of time to plan and read everyone else's blogs and accounts here to ensure that we are well informed.

Fingers crossed work accepts my request

You will love Croatia. The scenery is to die for, prices for food and fuel are good (even with the Euro) The scenery will make your jaw drop and the people are generally friendly. Camping in the summer is expensive though. Have a wonderful time

 

[PB2019]

That's odd, they're a fully integrated member of the EU and have accepted all the reciprocal trading agreements etc.
I'd be inclined to ring and speak to someone if you haven't done so already.
Who is the underwriter for nfu ?

Agreed call them yesterday and that is what they said. Not sure who the underwriter is.

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[Anjistar]

Don't forget your ESTIA, which will probably be up and running by November. Based on previous experience of new systems put in place, I would apply in good time!

 

[Brains]

We we’re planning to go to Croatia this year however just found out that NFU only cover the Motorhome third party, so not sure if we will go there now.

Get a new insurer!

Croatia is a full member of the EU, inside both Schengen and Euro zones.
So if they cover France and Germany they should also cover Croatia

 

[Mad dog]

We we’re planning to go to Croatia this year however just found out that NFU only cover the Motorhome third party, so not sure if we will go there now.

You're quite correct. Been with the NFU Mutual for a long time, we're in South Germany now & heading that way. We've switched to Caravan Guard because for an extra £25 we can get cover there & in Montenegro & Albania too, so we can get to Greece & over to Italy. The EU breakdown is cheap at £45, but I've had to have a tracker fitted.

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[clanjones]

So last year we strayed from out usual French cycling areas where we never have any issues with just rocking up to sites/aires and headed to Italy and Germany. Be very careful around German school holidays, Bavaria 1st 2 weeks in June I think and Pentecost. The Germans head en mass for Italy ( We know that for sure!) and I believe Croatia! ACSI membership is useful as well and you may have to book ahead.

 

[Geistguy]

Agreed call them yesterday and that is what they said. Not sure who the underwriter is.

The underwriters name will be at the bottom of your certificate of insurance.

 

[Victor And Margaret]

Wholeheartedly agree with Parrot face - if you can, visit Slovenia. Bled is gorgeous, very touristy but there are also some fantastic areas nearby. Bohinj is superb and the Vrsic pass from Kransjka Gora over to the Trenta / Soca valleys is out of this world.

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[PB2019]

Wholeheartedly agree with Parrot face - if you can, visit Slovenia. Bled is gorgeous, very touristy but there are also some fantastic areas nearby. Bohinj is superb and the Vrsic pass from Kransjka Gora over to the Trenta / Soca valleys is out of this world.

Thanks, we are covered for Slovenia so may head there.

 

[Landy Andy]

Croatia is lovely but now fear the prices will massively increase as they take on the €.

 

[wp1234]

Well, after a little discussion between us, I've officially applied for a 3 month sabbatical for May, June & July 2024 (can't this year, too much already booked) and our very lose plan is a slow meander down to Croatia, maybe taking in the Italian dolomites en-route, then come back via the Italian lakes and a slow meander home again.

Never toured abroad with the van before, but we've plenty of time to plan and read everyone else's blogs and accounts here to ensure that we are well informed.

Fingers crossed work accepts my request

We did a 6 month tour of Croatia , Northern Italy etc las year . My tips- are avoid late July / August in coastal Croatia and the National Parks ( rammed with Germans and expensive on sites), tour Slovenia don’t just pass through it like most folk seem to do, stick to the quieter Italian lakes.

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[Bobby-gg]

Well guy's, great news, my sabbatical has been approved (I'm the first in the company to do so, hence the delay) April 15th - July 15th 2024! Scary.

We're in Northumberland, so the initial planning is North Shields to IJmuiden Ferry, night or two around Holland, haven't got much planned for Germany at the moment but I'd like to visit the VW museum at Wolfsberg, then head over to Auschwitz & Krakow, through Slovakia, Hungary, and into Croatia.
From Croatia, up to Lake Bled and plan to get to lake Garda for early June so we've around 6 weeks for the above tour.
We're catching up with the youngest daughter in Garda so plan on spending three weeks or so around Garda/Como etc, then up through Switzerland and head for the romantic Road with maybe a detour to the Porsche museum at Stuttgart and continue heading north west back towards IJmuiden first week of July.

That's the plan for now, and need to start looking into each individual country to check where to go and what not to miss - got a notebook and an road atlas here plus everyones blogs and trying to put a final/flexible plan together

Phew

 

[Chasnam]

The VW museum in Wolfsburg is fantastic well worth a visit.There is also a smaller unoficial one with some incredible vehicles on view ,can't remember the name though sure you can find it online
Chasnam