Blogs from Split, Dalmatia, Croatia, Europe

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Europe » Croatia » Dalmatia » Split October 21st 2023

Dear All Greetings from Split! This is another amazing Croatian city, though really quite different to Dubrovnik. Being Croatia's second largest city at 265,000 people, it is a large and busy urban area with sprawling suburbs filled with communist-era residential tower blocks and hulking great port and industrial areas. Dubrovnik, on the other hand, was slow-paced and deeply charming, a quaint and seriously splendid little city with a comparatively diminutive 40,000 residents. Whilst different, Split also packed a punch (almost) as good as Dubrovnik to me, most notably with its unbelievable Diocletian's Palace right in the heart of town, more on that below. I must admit, I was a little disappointed with the way I arrived there though. I had originally planned a fast ferry ride from Dubrovnik to spend three hours on the island of ... read more
View from St Lawrence's Cathedral
Diocletian's Palace
St Domnius Cathedral

Europe » Croatia » Dalmatia » Split August 9th 2023

We said our goodbyes to our sailing companions after disembarking in the morning and made our way to Split Airport for our flight to Rome. Little did I know that I would be channelling John McEnroe again. “You can’t be serious? ”Presented our flight details at check-in only to be told that the Vueling flight had departed at 8.40am. All our information in black and white had 3.45pm. The airline official checked our information, saw that we were on the flight manifest, everything was correct except … a big except … the departure time. We had received no email, no sms, no phone call, no smoke signals, that the flight time had changed … changed big time! We had to purchase tickets again … this time with Croatian Airlines leaving at 12.05pm … 854 Euros please ... read more

Europe » Croatia » Dalmatia » Split July 18th 2023

The complete opposite to yesterday. We knew it was coming … a very early rise, dress quickly, vacate and drag the luggage up the hill to a taxi, all before 5.15am, to get to the port for the ferry to Split. We had to be early as the ticket had a warning that it was the passenger’s responsibility to find the correct pier and hence the correct ferry. We succeeded. It wasn’t long before we were joined by hundreds of others. It was an interesting trip along the coast and between islands to see the use of land for agriculture on the slopes of the mountain sides which virtually ran down to the sea. The ferry disembarked and embarked passengers at its 4 island stops. The sea was calm throughout and the wind of little consequence. ... read more

Europe » Croatia » Dalmatia » Split July 18th 2023

With the weather forecast being in the negative with regards to comfort we closed the door of our accommodation behind us at 5.30am to climb Marjan Hill and reach its peak, Telegrin. With over 800 stone constructed steps and sections of gently rising flat path the climb proved to be well within our capabilities. The best part was striking up conversation with a retired Croatian photographer, originally from Zagreb, who had worked for a number of years in Denmark but was now happy to stay healthy by walking his dogs. He was very interested in Australia, particularly opal mining in Coober Pedy. I filled him in, having only last year visited there. The Kimberley region of WA, crocodiles and Uluru plus gold mining were his other interests. The volunteer lady was wonderful too, doing the climb ... read more

Europe » Croatia » Dalmatia » Split June 26th 2023

Plitvice National Park Today, we left early in the morning on our road trip to the coast of Croatia. The first stop was Plitvice Lakes National Park. Plitvice Lakes National Park is the largest and one of the oldest national parks in Croatia. In 1979, the park was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Andrea dropped me off at the entrance of the park. The park is beautiful but it took me over an hour to get in. I did not spend that much time at the park because we needed to head over to Split before it got dark. I would one day need to come back to Croatia to experience the park in all its glory. Split We arrived in Split in the late afternoon. Split is the second-largest city in Croatia after the ... read more
Plitvice Lakes
Split
Split

Europe » Croatia » Dalmatia » Split September 23rd 2022

Greetings from Split! I only have a mere 18,026 steps today, so I am behind yesterday, but today did involve yet more steps. We were up quite early this morning, to ensure we were out ready to meet the group by 7:30, with time to get a pastry and coffee first. We hauled our suitcases back down the many steps (it was a lot easier going down than it was going up!) and popped into a bakery for a breakfast pastry to take with us and the coffee shop for a nice cappuccino. We met met the group, then we walked to the dock to catch our 7:45 ferry to Split. These ferries are very efficient, and always have lots of room to store luggage. The one hour trip was smooth sailing, and after we disembarked ... read more
Split buildings
Our hotel - Hotel Slavija
Me in front of statue of Marko Marulic, just around the corner from our hotel

Europe » Croatia » Dalmatia » Split May 15th 2022

My cycling cruise, originally scheduled for October, was pushed to May of this year. And I am hoping Putin's senseless war does not interefere with my plans. If you have not heard of Croatia's Dalmatian coast, it is about time you learn more about it. From Fodor's: If Croatia’s url=https://www.fodors.com/news/photos/wow-croatias-dalmatian-coast-is-the-most-beautiful-shoreline-in-europeDalmatian Coast isn’t already on your travel radar, you’re going to want to add it immediately. Nearby countries like Italy and Greece have long reveled in the spotlight as established European beach destinations; however, Croatia only began attracting tourists after it claimed independence in 1991 following decades of quasi-communist rule. Now, Croatia’s stunning coastline is quickly becoming a European hotspot. Picturesque Islands like url=htt... read more
Split green market

Europe » Croatia » Dalmatia » Split May 14th 2022

How about this for an interesting place? Although some tourist destinations have us saying, “It’s a nice place to visit, but I wouldn’t want to live there,” you’ll never say, “let’s split,” in Split, Croatia. It’s one of those few destinations you won’t want to leave. Mountains and sea meet, making for breathtaking scenery, and when you cross the Old City Wall Gate, you’re stepping back in time. The lively city on the Dalmatian Coast offers coastal boardwalks stretching into the sparkling Adriatic waters; enough bars, shops, and restaurants to satisfy even the most snobbish of gourmands; and of course Diocletian’s Palace, a 4th-century Roman monument that forms half of Split’s Old Town. I arrive here the day before I embark on my cycling and cruise of the Dalmatian coast. I think I need to explore ... read more
Split harbor
Fabulous Riva in Split

Europe » Croatia » Dalmatia » Split May 14th 2022

This cycling trip has changed more times than an untrained baby in diapers. We started planning this trip in 2019, and (so far), the trip has been postponed at least 3 times!!! But it will be worth it, as my dear friends, Paul and Christina are great friends, dedicated cyclists, and great story tellers. The Dalmatian Coast is one of the best for cycling, beaches, historical sites, wine, and just hanging out. We start and end in Split, though I would love to visit Dubrovnik as well. Split is known for its beaches and fortress like complex at its center, Diocletian Palace, erected by the Roman emperor Diocletian in the 4th century. Once home to thousands, its sprawling remains now include more than 200 buildings. Within its white stone walls and under its courtyards and galleries ... read more
Great fun!
Great views
Great exercise

Europe » Croatia » Dalmatia » Split May 13th 2022

Most of you know Croatia is located in the Balkan Peninsula. Zagreb, the capital, sits inland in the north east portion of the country. Dalmatia, the coastal area, is where I plan to spend most of my time. Istria, on the northern Adriatic coast is the primary wine region. Croatia was part of Yugoslavia for most the 20th century, suffering from the disintegration of the Federation, until 2013 when it joined the European Union. A native is called a Croat, rhymes with goat? They make up 90% of the population, with Serbs as the largest minority group. Sadly, most experts speculate there are as many Croats living outside the country as reside inside! (It has the greatest emigration rate after Ireland) Croats are mostly Roman Catholic, and more westernized than Serbs. And the Croats speak Croatian, ... read more
Nude beach
Game of Thrones




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