Croatia, Slovenia & Montenegro
May 10, 2003 - May 23, 2005


(page 5) The next day we were off to Split, the biggest city in Dalmatia. Along the way, we drove through Bosnia for about an hour and stopped for a coffee break in Neum. The next short stop on the way to Split was at the beautiful seaside town of Makarska for lunch. After an overnight in Split, more traveling with a stop in Trogir and Zadar.

  
Makarska
 

For lunch, Jason had a Margherita pizza (thin-crust and fresh as usual) and for me, it was a delicious salad!

Split - the cultural and economic hub of Central Dalmatia.

 

Our trip guide, Brane (pronounced Bron-é), gave us an introduction to the city.





A blending of old and new. In 295 AD, the Roman emperor Gaius Valerius Aurelius Diocletianus built his palace in Split. Within the walls of Diocletian's huge palace is a bustling city, where people today live and work in the structures that were built 1,700 years ago.
 

We entered the Palace through the basement, which is actually the best preserved part of the palace. We couldn't view the upper floors as they were inhabited by the city's residents!

The church within the city walls.

 

After seeing the Sphinx in Egypt, Diocletian had two smaller duplicates made for his palace.

Our city guide used to play basketball for Croatia's professional team.
 

A bronze statue made in the 20th century.






Another mix of old and new. The floors in this modern bank are the original stone floors of the old city (in other words, it's basically four walls and a roof resting on the ground). It's strange because modern ergonomical chairs rest atop ancient Roman drainage systems.
 

This status looks like Merlin, but it's actually of a bishop. You're supposed to rub its toe and make a wish.

Modern city street in Split and site of the first McDonalds we saw in Croatia.

 

More sidewalk cafes.



As we left Split, we drove by the ancient Roman aqueduct system that brought water to the Diocletian Palace - amazing engineering.
 

Entering the old city walls of Trogir, a center for artistic activities.

It had the cutest open-air market.

 

One of the best things about Croatia? Bread, gelatto and pastries EVERYWHERE! Here, a chocolate pastry roll.




 
  
We also made a stop in Zadar, the oldest Slavic city on the Adriatic. On the right, St. Donat Church.

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