Blogs from Dalmatia, Croatia, Europe - page 68

Split’s main selling point in the brochure is the Diocletian Palace but it seems to be the hub for everything in the area. You can go on trips to the Krka waterfalls or Plitvice lakes (which is what I did). Plus there are the nearby islands of Hvar, Brac and Vis Split is also one of the oldest cities in the area, and is traditionally considered just over 1,700 years old. Split is very much a beach destination and doesn’t seem to attract the normal backpacker community. Most of the residents of the hostel had suitcases and spent the day on the beach and the night in the clubs. I’m not one for sunbathing but took advantage of the nightlife!! On my second morning I was up at 05:00 to go on a trip to Plitvice ... read more

A Bus and Boat tour to Peljesac and Korcula was again an United Nations wonderful day. With various nationalities on board. Ston the main city of Peljesac has a Medieval stone wall (14 th century) reputedly the largest in Europe, 5.5 kilometre long and no, no walking this one. It also has the oldest salt gaining production of the world but seeing the only half an hour time we had, we missed that and had a very important coffee instead. Passing it later on we saw it is the same way done as we do in Australia. The water flows over the land and the sun dries it out and there is the salt. The Adriatic is very salty. Peljesac is also the wine producing area since ancient times. The promise was that on the way ... read more

12 June-15th June Caught train to Ancona via Prato Centrale and Bologna, then the overnight ferry to Split. Had a really lovely breakfast before shopping for the boat and sailing out of the marina. Winds were fresh gusting to 22 knots. With full sail up we made around 10-11 knots and the boat (Lagoon 38 cat) sailed beautifully. We moored at a beautiful village called Stomorska on the Island of Solta. This was my first attempt at “Mediterranean mooring” which involves reversing into the dock without hitting boats either side , tying the stern lines while picking up lazy lines which are submerged lines that you grab from the dock and are attached to mooring lines (also submerged) which attach to the sea floor about 15 metres out from the dock. Someone grabs the lazy line ... read more

A quick note to say we are happily cocooned in our 38 foot cat and spent first night on an Island about 20NM from Split. Winds were brisk at around 20 knots, and we managed 11.5 knots out of the Lagoon 38 with all sails on and Skupper Bill at the helm. Some rough water saw us partially flying the windward hull - all very exciting and I couldn't get the smile of my face!! Interesting method of mooring required here (if not anchoring) where one needs to reverse into the dock squeezing between other boats and picking up lazy lines from the dock which are connected to moorings about 15 metres from the dock. You need to control the boat while picking up the lines and walk them forward to the bow to tie off ... read more

Imagine 4 days in a beautiful hotel on the coast, crystal clear blue water, sunshine and a surroundings of a truly historic place dated from 7th century.....Sounds like an ideal escape place to wander around, taste gorgeous food and relax..... Yes it does;-) .....And it would have been if not the fact that these 4 days I spent in Dubrovnik (and Cavtat) were just a business trip for a distribution conference and therefore this isn't really a true travel journal of Myself and Tomek exploring Dalmatian coast ;-( Nevertheless, I decided to share some photos of this astonishing, postcard perfect place and keep a memory of it ;-) We both have been to Croatia before but separately. I visited Istria region together with my family where we explored Medulin and Pula with the amazingly preserved Roman ... read more