Add fly-drive holiday options
New fly-drive section with 3 destinations: - Portugal Algarve: £1,600-2,150 (10-12 nights) - Mallorca Spain: £1,710-2,350 (7-10 nights) - Croatia Split: £1,800-2,000 (10 nights) All include: - Flights from Manchester - Car hire - Pool access - Self-catering - Child-friendly activities - Sample itineraries - Budget breakdowns
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fly-drive-options/03-CROATIA-SPLIT.md
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fly-drive-options/03-CROATIA-SPLIT.md
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# Option 3: Croatia - Split & Dalmatian Coast 🇭🇷
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## Why Choose This?
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✅ **Stunningly beautiful** - crystal clear Adriatic Sea
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✅ **More affordable** than Italy or France
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✅ **Short direct flights** (2h 55m)
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✅ **Great for exploring** - islands, historic towns
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✅ **Less touristy** than Spain/Portugal (in places)
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✅ **Good pools** - many apartments have them
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✅ **Child-friendly** culture
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✅ **Easy island hopping** by ferry
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---
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## Overview
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| Detail | Information |
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|--------|-------------|
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| **Destination** | Split & Dalmatian Coast, Croatia |
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| **Airport** | Split (SPU) |
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| **Flight from Manchester** | 2h 55m direct |
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| **Airlines** | Jet2, easyJet |
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| **Car Hire** | Useful for exploring |
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| **Best bases** | Split, Trogir, Makarska, Hvar island |
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---
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## Flight Options (Manchester → Split)
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### Airlines & Typical Prices (July 2026)
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| Airline | Typical Price (return, family of 3) | Notes |
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|---------|-------------------------------------|-------|
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| **easyJet** | £280-420 | Direct, summer only |
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| **Jet2** | £320-480 | Direct, summer only |
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**Estimated Cost:** £350-450 for family of 3
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**Important:** Split flights are **summer seasonal** (April-October only)
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**Flight Times:**
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- Duration: 2h 55m direct
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- 2-3 flights per week from Manchester in summer
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---
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## Car Hire (Split Airport)
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### Prices (10 days, July)
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| Car Type | Daily Rate | 10 Days | With Insurance |
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|----------|-----------|---------|----------------|
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| Economy | £10-15 | £100-150 | £180-230 |
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| Compact | £15-22 | £150-220 | £250-320 |
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| Family | £22-30 | £220-300 | £340-420 |
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**Estimated Cost:** £200-300 with full insurance
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**Note:** Croatia drives on the right, good roads along coast.
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---
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## Accommodation Options
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### Option A: Apartment in Split/Trogir (Shared Pool)
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| Location | Price (10 nights) | Pool | Notes |
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|----------|------------------|------|-------|
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| **Split (city)** | £600-900 | Some have pools | Historic centre, walk everywhere |
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| **Trogir** | £500-800 | Some have pools | UNESCO town, near airport |
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| **Podstrana** | £550-850 | Most have pools | Beach resort, 15 min from Split |
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### Option B: Beach Resort Apartment (Private/Shared Pool)
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| Location | Price (10 nights) | Pool | Beach |
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|----------|------------------|------|-------|
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| **Makarska** | £700-1,100 | Shared/private | Pebble beach |
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| **Brela** | £650-1,000 | Shared | Famous beaches |
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| **Omiš** | £600-950 | Shared | River + sea |
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### Option C: Split City + Island (5 nights each)
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**Split city (5 nights):**
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- Apartment: £250-400
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- No car needed
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**Hvar island (5 nights):**
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- Apartment with pool: £400-600
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- Ferry from Split: ~£50 return (car + family)
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- **Total accommodation:** £650-1,000
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---
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## Budget Breakdown (10 nights)
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### Option A: Split Base with Day Trips
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| Item | Cost |
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|------|------|
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| Flights (easyJet) | £400 |
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| Car hire (10 days) | £250 |
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| Apartment (Split outskirts, shared pool) | £700 |
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| Food (self-catering) | £300 |
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| Activities | £150 |
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| **TOTAL** | **£1,800** |
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✅ **Under budget!**
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### Option B: Makarska Riviera (Beach Resort)
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| Item | Cost |
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|------|------|
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| Flights | £400 |
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| Car hire (optional) | £200 |
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| Apartment (pool, 10 nights) | £850 |
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| Food | £350 |
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| Activities | £200 |
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| **TOTAL** | **£2,000** |
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✅ **On budget!**
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### Option C: Split + Hvar Island (2-Centre)
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| Item | Cost |
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|------|------|
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| Flights | £400 |
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| Car hire (mainland only) | £150 |
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| Split apartment (5 nights) | £350 |
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| Hvar apartment with pool (5 nights) | £500 |
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| Ferry to Hvar (car + family) | £60 |
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| Food | £350 |
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| Activities | £180 |
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| **TOTAL** | **£1,990** |
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✅ **Just under budget!**
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---
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## Child-Friendly Activities (Age 6)
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### Beaches
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| Beach | Location | Why It's Great |
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|-------|----------|---------------|
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| **Bačvice Beach** | Split | Sandy, shallow, water polo! |
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| **Kašjuni Beach** | Split | Pebble, quieter |
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| **Punta Rata** | Brela | Famous "Brela Stone" beach |
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| **Nugal Beach** | Makarska | Beautiful, naturist section (avoid) |
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| **Hvar beaches** | Hvar island | Clear water, pebbles |
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**Note:** Most Croatian beaches are pebble, not sand. Water shoes recommended!
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### Attractions
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| Attraction | What It Is | Cost (family) |
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|------------|-----------|---------------|
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| **Diocletian's Palace** | 1,700-year-old Roman palace | Free to wander |
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| **Klis Fortress** | Game of Thrones filming location | €30-40 (£25-35) |
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| **Krka National Park** | Waterfalls, boardwalks | €60-80 (£50-65) |
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| **Blue Cave** (Biševo) | Blue grotto boat trip | €60-80 (£50-65) |
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| **Hvar island day trip** | Ferry + explore | €50-70 (£40-55) |
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| **Aquapark Dalmatia** | Water park | €70-90 (£60-75) |
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### Free Activities
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- Exploring Diocletian's Palace (Split)
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- Beach days
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- Pool time
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- Walking Split old town
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- Markets
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- Harbor watching
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---
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## Vegetarian Food
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### Croatian Dishes (Vegetarian-Friendly)
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- **Pasticada** - ask for vegetarian version
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- **Rižoto** (risotto) - many vegetarian options
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- **Povrće na žaru** (grilled vegetables)
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- **Salata** (various salads)
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- **Palačinke** (crepes) - sweet or savory
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- **Sir i vrhnje** (cheese and cream)
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- **Pečeni krumpir** (roasted potatoes)
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### Self-Catering
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- Konzum, Lidl, Tommy supermarkets
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- Fresh produce at markets (Split market is great)
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- Bakeries everywhere
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### Restaurants
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- Split has many vegetarian-friendly restaurants
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- Look for pizzerias
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- Mediterranean cuisine - lots of vegetable dishes
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---
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## Sample 10-Day Itinerary (Split + Day Trips)
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### Days 1-5: Split Base
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**Day 1 (Arrival)**
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- Morning: Fly Manchester → Split (2h 55m)
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- Afternoon: Pick up car, drive to apartment
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- Evening: Explore Split old town, Diocletian's Palace
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**Day 2 (Split Exploration)**
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- Morning: Diocletian's Palace, Peristyle square
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- Afternoon: Bačvice beach (sandy, child-friendly)
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- Evening: Riva (waterfront) stroll, ice cream
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**Day 3 (Day Trip - Trogir)**
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- Morning: Drive to Trogir (UNESCO town, 30 min)
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- Afternoon: Explore medieval streets, castle
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- Evening: Return to Split
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**Day 4 (Beach Day)**
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- Morning: Drive to better beach (Kašjuni or further)
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- Afternoon: Beach, swimming
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- Evening: Split old town dinner
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**Day 5 (Day Trip - Krka Waterfalls)**
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- Morning: Drive to Krka National Park (1 hr)
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- Afternoon: Waterfalls, boardwalks
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- Evening: Return to Split
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---
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### Days 6-10: Coast/Island or Continue Split Base
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**Option A: Stay in Split, more day trips**
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**Day 6:** Klis Fortress (GoT location, great views)
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**Day 7:** Beach day (further afield)
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**Day 8:** Boat trip to Blue Cave or Brač island
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**Day 9:** Split markets, shopping, pool time
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**Day 10:** Fly home
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**Option B: Move to Makarska Riviera**
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**Day 6:** Drive to Makarska (1.5 hrs), check in
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**Days 7-9:** Beach days, relax, pool time
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**Day 10:** Drive to Split airport, fly home
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**Option C: Split + Hvar Island (2-Centre)**
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**Day 6:** Ferry to Hvar island (2 hrs), check in
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**Days 7-9:** Explore Hvar, beaches, pool
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**Day 10:** Ferry back, drive to airport, fly home
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---
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## When to Book
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| Item | When to Book |
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|------|-------------|
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| **Flights** | 4 months ahead (limited summer flights) |
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| **Car hire** | 2-3 months ahead |
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| **Accommodation** | 3-5 months ahead |
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| **Ferry tickets** | Book in advance if taking car |
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---
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## Pros & Cons
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### Pros
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- ✅ Stunning scenery
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- ✅ Historic towns (Split, Trogir)
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- ✅ Clear blue sea
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- ✅ Less touristy than Spain
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- ✅ Good value
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- ✅ Island hopping possible
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- ✅ Direct flights from Manchester
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### Cons
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- Pebble beaches (need water shoes)
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- Fewer sandy beaches
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- Hot in July (30°C+)
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- Some walking involved in historic towns
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- Limited direct flights (seasonal)
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---
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## My Verdict
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**Best for culture + beaches combination.**
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Croatia offers something different - Roman history, medieval towns, and stunning coastline. Split makes a perfect base for exploring.
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You can easily stay under £2,000 for 10 nights with a pool, especially if you stay in one place and do day trips.
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**Best for:** Families who want more than just beaches - history, culture, exploration.
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---
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*Created: 15 March 2026*
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*All prices estimates - verify before booking*
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