Croatia – Split 17/8/16 – 20/8/16

We arrived by taxi at the bus station in Dubrovnik for our 11am bus. Not a good time to start a journey as it was packed. People pushing and shoving in all directions, many languages spoken. However we got our bags stored under the bus and found our seats on a full bus, (great idea to purchase your tickets a few days in advance), and don’t be surprised to pay the driver extra money for your bags, it happens all the time in these Balkan countries.
The coastal road continues to be beautiful along Croatia, with stunning scenery everywhere. We were told the journey would take 2 ½ hours, we arrived in Split 4 ½ hours after leaving Dubrovnik. To our surprise we even went through Bosnia and Herzigova for 15 minutes or so along the coastal road. So had to stop at customs, thankfully we had our passports in our hand luggage.
We were dropped off in the bus station at Split, which is on its promenade next to the train station and the port for ferries, very central. A taxi ride later and we were dropped off at the end of a road. Our taxi driver said our apartment was 200m along this road. What he didn’t say was that it was 200m up a very steep hill with what seemed 200 steps. At the top we were met by our land lady. We’re staying at Apartment Victoria, a lovely 1 bedroomed apartment. Everything you need is here, apart from an oxygen tank to help you regain your breath after the walk up hill. So after half a day on the bus, (with 2x 5 minute stops), we were starving so ventured out for something to eat. It took us 10 minutes walk, down hill, to find the promenade. It’s really lovely, restaurants and bars everywhere, with 1 street leading off this where you can find lots of shops. A little later and we walked around and found the “old town”. Again a lovely place for what we could see, and will walk it more tomorrow.
So after a breakfast off we went. It only took us 15 minutes slow walk to get to the old town, which is known as “Diocletian Palace. It’s size is smaller than the others we’ve seen, but still as spectacular. It is very easy to find as many of its entrances a are in the port, along with the bus station along the water front. Speaking of which, Splits promenade is very spacious with no vehicle so easy to walk along. It’s devised into 3 sections, there’s the area closest to the buildings where all the restaurants and cafes have tables and chairs outside, next to this is a beautiful tree lined walkway, full of palm trees which give instant shade on the hot days, then next to the edge of the sea, is a walkway where all the “touts” are placed, giving advice and selling tickets for different boat rides. We got caught up in one of these and booked a full day 3 island trip, lunch and wine and beer included for the following day. As beautiful as it is, you can’t get passed the odour of the place, it stinks. Not sure if it’s old fish, or the pong of sewerage! But in the mid day heat it can be over bareing.
Walking along the promenade and round the bay. Split port, (where everything is), is relatively small, and easy to walk around, and as we walked we spotted brass plates in the pavement. Looking at these closer we found that each plate was a tribute to all of Croatia Olympic medallist, dating back to 1948 and the London Olympics. What a cool idea and very apt at the moment as the Rio 2016 Olympics are currently on.
That evening we decided to go back to the old town, and we were glad we did. In the evenings it transforms itself, lots of bars and restaurants with great music playing and the old walls are brightly lit up. We found a great small courtyard, where 3 bars merged as 1, with a DJ playing in the centre. What a trendy place this is at night. Also at the moment where ever you are in the port, there are large screens playing the Rio games, and although it’s in Croatian, it’s still great to watch.
Up early next day, as our 3 island trip was setting off at 9am. Firstly we took the normal ferry over to Trogir Island. What a great little place this is, again a medieval town, with port and an old town. We had an hour here before we then boarded our sailing ship Enroute to ……… Along the way we stopped off at a third ship where we had lunch, BBQ fish, chicken or vegetarian, with a great salad and of course alcoholic beverages. Our next destination was the “blue lagoon” so called because of the colour of the sea, very clear and so many beautiful shades of blue as the sun beats down onto the sea bed. We had a dip, but the water was freezing, so we soon got out. Again here for just over an hour before setting off to our 3rd and final island called………This was an even smaller island as compared to the others we’d seen today, but still as impressive. Beautiful turquoise seas, perfect blue skies with the rays of the sun shimmering and reflecting off the waters. This tiny fishing village was as quaint as anything else we had seen on our trip, with only half a dozen cafes and not many tourists around it was gloriously peaceful. The days trip is totally recommended as it only cost €42 per person. We arrived back in Splits port around 8pm, so a full days tour for a great price.
Split has been a great city to visit, Croatia a great country, however quite expensive. It’s coastline matches the magnificence of that in Montenegro and the locals have been very friendly. English was widely spoken and getting around is pretty easy.