Ancona-Split or Zadar ferries

Thinking of going to Croatia via Italy next year so I would welcome any comments about going this way, particularly:

Is the Adriatic coast of Italy worth visiting particularly down as far as Ancona. Rimini  is noted as a tourist hot spot, is it worth a stop off or is there anywhere else you would recommed especially campsites on this coast? I am not interested in the Venice area having been there a couple of times. We are really looking for pastures new.

Has any one used the ferries from Ancona particularly to Split or Zadar and have you any comments about them good or bad?

peedee