Need to spend less than £10K on summer holiday this year. Anyone been to Croatia

[hmcAsWas]

Had been looking at a fly drive around Quebec, Montreal etc but some rather hefty unexpected bills are clipping our wings this year and so we're now looking at Europe. We've done villa holidays before in South of France, various locations on mainland Italy (and also Sardinia and Sicily), Spain, Greece etc and so now we're thinking perhaps Croatia? If you have been, what did you like / what would you recommend?

We are a family of 4 (kids will be 14 and 16 by the time the holiday comes around). They enjoy some sightseeing but not wild about too many dusty cathedrals. They will happily do places of historical interest however (particularly if they relate to stuff they have studied at school). We are not uber beachy (probably would go a couple of times in a week), but do like a well appointed villa with a pool. They also like adrenaline type outdoorsy stuff and appreciate beautiful scenery.

(and there has to be wifi)

Also, probably this line didn’t help but some rather hefty unexpected bills are clipping our wings this year and so we're now looking at Europe.

It screams, my diamond shoes are too tight and my wallets too small for my fifties’

Not jealous. Just pointing out the line which mighta done it.

Someone we know said last year they were really struggling with unexpected bills and they were having to resort to 2 weeks skiing instead of 3.

😂😂

We stayed in a villa few years ago near Monopoli in Puglia - it was 15 mins from the beach so we had to have a hire car but there were so many villas in that area or converted Trullis. But I’ve read so many articles about people staying anywhere in Puglia and having a great time.
I’ll try to find the link to the villa we stayed at.

we only paid 1100€ for 10 days in sept but it rises to about 2700€ a week in August

* just start a thread on anyone holidayed in Croatia?*

‘I’m after a week in Croatia. Luxury. No set budget - what/where did everyone do/go/how much?’

But the OP DOES have a budget. It’s under £10k

The problem is that that figure is unpalatable for some!

Had the OP done what you suggest, the very first question would have been “what is your budget?” Because quite honestly it is easy to blow £10k. First class flights for example for 4 would take by £6k.

Can you even fly first class to Croatia? I've only ever been by budget airlines as we have very little other choice without trekking to the south. But if you go on BA, Air Croatia etc, do the planes have a posh end?

This is the holidays section of the talk boards. People are allowed to talk about holidays here surely? And the OP needs to say what her budget is, so people would know if 5 star AI is an option for example - that is pretty pricy - I don't do AI because I don't like the buffet version and I don't want to pay for the a la carte version, but people happily post about going to the Ikos Olivia and Princessa Yaiza without apology, how much do people think that a fortnight there for a family in the school holidays costs? A very significant portion of the OPs £10k budget as it happens.

If you can afford first class flights you can afford to go to a posh travel agent. Having 10k for a week is a bit too niche for mumsnet

Croatia is very interesting, food not cheap however. I think many of Game of Thrones sets were filmed there so you all might find that interesting. Split has Diocletian’s palace which is very interesting. I would not venture into the too far from the coast, the countryside seems very sparsely populated and when we were there a few years ago it had an uneasy atmosphere and there were still damaged buildings from the war.

The Plitvic lakes are amazing but near Zagreb and get very busy with tourists

I love Croatia! Most of the action is focused on beaches but usually plenty of water sports.

Zagreb is a beautiful city with great restaurants, sightseeing, museums, St Marks Church but most of Zagreb leave for the seaside in the summer so quiet other than some tourists.

What about sailing? Do some island hopping?

Some lovely villas on this website including ones in your price range that I can only dream about. But if I could I definitely would!
www.homeaway.co.uk

Why are some just so rude and judgemental..money really does bring out the green eyed monster. Jealous playground behaviour. The op isn't asking for your judgement on her chosen amount just helpful suggestions of where to stay.

Op, no help on Croatia but I hope you all have a fantastic time!

You really don't have any limitations with a budget of £10k, surely surely you knew that? That's what we spent on a 3 week luxury honeymoon including safari in Richard Bransons place in South Africa. We really didn't scrimp. I'd say you'll be hard pushed to find anyone who has been wasteful enough to spend £10k on a week in Croatia to give you ideas.

You really don't have any limitations with a budget of £10k,

Seriously?

This thread is fascinating. Particularly the posters who are so desperate to prove they aren't at all askance at spending 10k in Croatia!

I think zombie has it - you'll be hard pushed to find anyone that wasteful. I am friends with a very famous business person who went for 2 weeks a couple of years ago. His villa only cost 6k for 2 weeks, although they did have nice flights and a boat so I am sure pushed it up to 10k, but that was a fortnight so not relevant!

WE will be holidaying in Croatia for the 4th year this year. We stay outside Dubrovnik in a villa in a little village. It's not posh, but it's clean and has everything you need..the beach is the best in the area (for me), the water is amazing, clean, clear, full of fish and very safe. The villa has the no1 restaurant in Dubrovnik attached to it, and the food IS cheap and utterly delicious. The service and the love and care is impeccable and utterly priceless. We get two weeks B &B for £1700 between the two of us (last week August/first week September), and probably spend £2000 further while there. It's not the cheapest (for us, we aren't rich), but it's worth every penny and we always want to go back.

OP, if I had the dosh, I would hot foot it to the Sani Resort in Greece: it looks absolutely gorgeous & lux all the way.

Never been to Croatia and generally go to Cornwall most years.

However, my DB lived in Montreal and I had an incredible holiday to Canada so if that is still on the cards I can't recommend it enough.

Hithere, of course there are limitations but they will be able to fly pretty much any dates (not firstclass though), stay in pretty much any accommodation (but not the presidential suite at the top 5 star) and eat at any restaurant every night with that budget for the week. We could afford that budget but why would we waste it for a week in Croatia when you could have and amazing, luxury time for £6k. Use the £4K to go skiing in the winter.

CampariSpritz

It’s amazing. Been 3x
Sadly now divorced won’t go back!

However no culture. None. Zero. Nada.

Wasn’t a problem with us as very young children but now maybe I’d like a bit more variety.

In terms of family luxury, unbeatable

Thank you @ComeOnGordon ☺️ I appreciate it.

I shall spend a good part of today researching the area! That villa looks gorgeous!

We were worried that we had been scammed but the villa was that lovely but a bit isolated so you really need that hire car.

But it was the owner who really made our holiday - he was a local who gave us recommendations of places to eat, towns to visit, the best beaches and we took his recommendations and none of them disappointed. It’s a very Italian part of Italy which we loved. As opposed to Croatia that has lost some of its charm to the swarms of German & British tourists

With 10k you could have an amazing holiday, just about anywhere in the world! Especillay if you only want a week!

I have booked my summer holiday in august, flights, accommodation and car haute for under £1100. Oh the things I could do with £10k.

Sorry, car hire.

Hithere, ha ha culture is wasted on me (particularly on hols when the key decisions are which cocktail & when) so Sani sounds ideal. Just need to raise the loot!

I’d do this cruise
Fly to Corfu, board ship, 2 cabins, all inclusive. Under £6k so budget to upgrade flights/cabins or add excursions (though I’ve been to all the places and done it without paid for trips)
Koper in Slovenia, Venice, split and Dubrovnik (for your Croatia hit) and Kotor in Montenegro (beautiful sail in).
Plenty of spends for drinks or lunch ashore. The ship has lots of bars and restaurants (some are extra - I’d recommend the specialty Indian!), a big screen over the outdoor pool, indoor pool, jacuzzis, spa, rock climbing wall, mini golf, entertainment from quizzes to full evening shows all on a take it or leave it basis. They have a teen specific lounge and nearby games rooms for when they want to be away from you.

That cruise looks pretty darn good - thanks Wait4nothing

That's the cruise we did, although we had a week around Greece before that.