Split

Split is a transportation hub for the Dalmatian Coast with ferries coming and going constantly. It is also a stopping place for megayachts - we were told that Michael Jordon and Harrison Ford had been recent visitors. And cruise ships. Our ship is at half capacity (480) and is only four month’s old. She is number 7 in a planned fleet of 10 - everything is so wonderfully new!

For the past four days we have been arriving in the new port in the morning and leaving in the evening, which allows for some spectacular views of the coast and the harbors. Hard as it may be to believe, I am finding all the pampering (twice daily room cleaning for example), the free laundry, and the ubiquitous luxury a little overwhelming. 

Yesterday we started our day in Split with a tour of the Diocletian Palace in downtown in the pouring rain - fun fact: the large Viking umbrellas would not fit through the narrow streets (we had raincoats with hoods). This place is basically a Roman ruin from 305 AD with most of the space within the four walls (only parts of two remain) taken up by retail and residential all mixed together.

We then drove out of town to Stella where we were treated to a tour and “snack” at the Ethno Agro Park, a family-owned and operated “factory” where they make by hand specialty items like olive oil, sugar-coated almonds, tapenades, and a fig cake with almonds and walnuts. A beautiful property with a great story and an olive oil museum! 

The rest of the day is a blur.



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