Originally Posted by jbcarioca

Assuming you want to stay in Croatia and want a superb experience I'd go to Split, which has the Emperor Diocletian's Palace, which is even more what Dubrovnik is meant to be than Dubrovnik is. It also usually has many fewer tourists. There, http://vestibulpalace.com/ the Vestibul Palace is inside the vestibule of the palace itself and is an absolute gem. The restaurant services outside in the palace and is also a delight. Split is about 225 km from Dubrovnik and takes from 2-4 hours depending in traffic, but the drive itself is along the coast and is beautiful.

If I were making the trip I'd probably spend one day in Dubrovnik and two in Split, allowing a day for the leisurely travel between the cities that is deserved.

Montenegro is mildly entertaining but is no match for these two cities. Now, were you to take more time and go to the Istra peninsula you could have wonderful plentiful truffles and enjoy another magnificent side of Croatia, albeit stuffed full of Italians at all times.