Slice of Split!

Welcome to Split y'all!....and our first stop on the Dalmatian Coast. The bus trip from Plitvice to Split was the most beautiful highway on the planet! Peppered with little coastal towns and miles and miles of ocean and islands. Thank the Lord we got a seat in the front so I was very content looking out the window. 

Split Croatia

I love this pic! And I love my sweet husband for letting me drag him all over Croatia!

Split was only a one night stop which I was bummed about once we arrived. I really really loved this city. As soon as we arrived into town it felt manageable, was clean, and absolutely beautiful. Mr.R was really excited because this town held so much history....get to that in a bit.

I have to share our awesome room! After Plitvice we felt a little defeated with the no AC and dated decor. I found our Split accommodations through my traveling bible and had no problem contacting Kaleta Apartments through their really well done website. Located inside the palace walls you could not get any closer to all of the action. We actually had two little cafes right below our room. A little loud at night but the windows kept out the majority of the noise. And, I found it very easy to fall asleep after traveling all day.

 Exposed bricks and beams. The bed was so comfortable and the best part was the air conditioning! There was also a kitchenette and a sweet little table. This little apartment was so perfect and I wish we would have stayed an extra night here.

Bright bathroom with a crazy modern shower.

Map of the original palace. Loved these!

Split is literally built in and around Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace. Walking through the narrow streets it was easy to get turned around. What was so amazing is that they had turned this ancient structure into and outdoor mall of sorts. Really upscale stores with your usual tourist souvenir shops. Up above were all of the homes. Loved this town!

Cathedral of St. Dominus

Palace walls

Bell Tower

Mr. R really wanted to go down into the palace cellars and since it was a million degrees outside I thought that might be a cool (as in temperature) thing to do. The cellars were pretty impressive. They were almost scary. There were not that many people down there and so at moments it was just us. Some rooms were totally dark with just the sound of dripping water. If you are picturing a torture chamber from The Thrones you are on the right track. We kept thinking we had walked into a restricted area or something.

This flowering vine hung everywhere!

So before Split we hadn't been to a town that had any real nightlife....like a club. And NO we did not go to a European club. But we did walk the Riva along with everyone else in the city. It had a very Miami, in a good way, feel. I could have sat out there all night. So many beautiful people of all ages just strolling along. What was so great about Split is that it wasn't just tourist. Locals were intermixed everywhere.

Front of the palace at night on the Riva.

So after an awesome evening and cozy night sleep we booked a late afternoon ferry to our next stop and spent the rest of the day eating and walking around the city. We fell into the National Art Museum and were really blown away by the collection. I was expecting something small but was very impressed with their mostly Croatian collection. The gallery is located in the towns old and now renovated hospital.

Sculpture in the courtyard.

Saying goodbye the Split.

Split was my favorite city! And we definitley fell in love with the Dalmation Coast. If you are headed to Croatia this needs to be on your to do list. Ok, two more cities to go...phew! 

Split!