Split, Croatia.... Where Locals Make Life Joyful

If you visit Croatia, a trip to Split, the country's second-largest city, should be added to your travel itinerary. The city offers some wonderful sights, both modern and historical, has fantastic beaches, great shopping, nightlife, and plenty to see and do. Or you can simply relax and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere.

Locals say food, wine, and great company make life joyful. Indeed, you will find many fine restaurants to test the theory, with some chefs serving up their grandmother's recipes with a unique twist, along with a generous splash of olive oil. Fresh dishes featuring oysters, calamari, fish, and shrimp will delight seafood lovers, and pasta, pizza, and breads are fond favorites for locals and tourists alike.

Diocletian's Palace was built for the Roman emperor Diocletian and covers about half of the old town area. Locals say tourists are often looking for the palace before realizing they are already inside it. The Palace dates back to the turn of the fourth century AD and was used as a military fortress, imperial residence, and fortified town. Today, the harbor-side palace is a busy area with shops, restaurants, and cafes, as well as a residential area. Diocletian imported marble from Italy and Greece and 12 sphinxes from Egypt - what an amazing place to live!

Split Gallery of Fine Arts has housed masterpieces by Croatian artists since 1931. Spare a few hours to see artwork from the 14th century to modern times with over 5,000 works of art on display.

Drop by Saint Domnius Cathedral and the bell tower to admire the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world, dating back to the 7th century. It is a real treasure, and they ring the bell loudly every hour, so brace yourself if you are close.

The Riva is Split's harbor, and it's a nice area to walk around in the evening with plenty of places to grab dinner with epic views of the water. There's often live music and other entertainment around this area. Here is a good area to sample some Croatian national wine or you can do a wine tasting tour and visit a vineyard a short way out of Split.

Croatia is famous for epic sailing, and many departures from Split offer day trips or longer trips. A day at sea can be a luxurious way to spend a day, and there are lots of gorgeous islands to explore. You also have several beaches in Split that are nice for a lazy afternoon of sun-worshipping.

If you're ready to add Split to your travel list, I'd love to help you plan an itinerary that is perfect for your travel style. Click the link below to learn more about my services and to schedule a complimentary consultation with me.

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