After 8 days of travelling, both Mark and I finally reached Split, the second biggest city in Croatia. However, Split is known for something else – it’s the gateway to destinations in the Adriatic Sea. So here’s the question,
‘Where should you go from Split?’
With a variety of different types of destinations on hand from Split it was pretty hard for Mark and I to choose where to go. We had islands, historical cities, beach hotspots and nature walks to choose from, we were completely torn as we tried to figure out the rest of our trip to backpack Croatia and beyond.
We needed help and we needed it fast. Luckily, we had the advice of the seasoned air crew from Monarch Airlines. They provided us with a map of European destinations along the main Mediterranean Sea and revealed to us their secrets. From this map, we were already inspired to see the Croatian National Theatre in Split reputed to be biggest of theatres in Southern Europe housed in a beautiful and grandiose building.
So with that in mind, we narrowed down our options below:
1. Dubrovnik
With just a four and a half hour bus ride away down the coast of Croatia, lies a beautiful city called Dubrovnik. Its marble streets and baroque style buildings housed in the grand fortress and surrounded by the ancient city walls on which you can walk on, you can look out at the glimmering display of the blue Adriatic Sea and feel you have arrived in heaven. According to Monarch, you must visit the nearby island of Lokrum, supposedly cursed and steeped in history.
However, it’s the most southern major destination in Croatia. Could we go further and into the Balkans?
2. Hvar
Split is the gateway to the islands of the Adriatic Sea. Perhaps we can island hop throughout the region, sunbathing our brown tanned bodies and sipping on thirst-quenching cocktails starting in the island of Hvar. As the sunniest place in Croatia (2724 hours of sun a year), Hvar Island is the most luxurious, dripping with wonder as visitors wander the winding stone streets before wading our into the scented lavender fields from Hvar Town. Only 2 hours Jadrolinija Ferry Ride away from Split, Hvar makes is the perfect getaway destination.
But as Hvar is also a party island, would we be missing the historical and culture of Croatia? We would find out…
3. Mostar
Perhaps we could call to an end to backpacking in Croatia and venture out into the Balkans starting with Mostar in the bordering country of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Only a 3 and a half hour bus ride, we would arrive in the Ottoman era city set in a deep valley with a placid river coursing through underneath the city’s world famous Stari Most Bridge. Mostar also lays claim to be one of the most photogenic scenes in Eastern Europe and in this setting, you’ll find out more about the devastating 1990s Balkan Wars. This is culture and history at its best.
But would we have seen enough of Croatia to leave the country?
So thanks to tips from fellow travellers and secrets from travel companies, both Mark and I came to a decision where we should go from Split as we shouldered our backpacks to leave the city. Can you guess where we went? Watch this space…
Want to read more Croatian Adventures? Check out the following:
Day 5: Hitching Croatian Airlines to Zadar
Day 5 (Continued): The Lurking Monster of Zadar
Day 5 (Continued again!): The Wild Fig Hostel’s Crazy Night In
Day 6 (Continued): Zadar Nightlife: An Evening to Remember
Day 8: Diocletian’s Palace: A Walking Tour in Pictures
Day 8: Where is the Best Place to Party in Split?
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