Trogir, Split and Dubrovnik

20.08

After goodbyes and exchanging ‘contacts’ we left Tisno via the coastal beach resort town of Marina and onto the little village of Segret Vranjica and Camp Belvedere (36 euros).  We  decided to base ourselves here so  we could bike into Trogir before continuing onto Split. 

We've a pine tree shaded site overlooking the water and islands.  We recced the camp and village then swam in the rocky bay enjoying the crystal clear water.  There's a regular ferry service here to Trogir.   

21.08

Found a great bike path through another camp site and followed the rocky inlets for the 8kms to Trogir.  This town is considered to be one of the best preserved Roman Gothic towns in central Europe.
 

 

Crossed the bridge onto the island where the beautiful Old Town is situated, parked our bikes and went for an explore.  The core of the town is the castle and fortress surrounded by city walls. 

Walked to the Marina then back inside the walls along the narrow, quaint cobbled streets, the Square, shops and great eateries.

Back to camp and more swimming!

 

 

22.08       

Continuing our journey along the coast, backed by mountains, through the industrial area around the outskirts of Split. We found Camping Stobrec (40 euros), 8 kms from the centre of Split in the beach town of Stobrec.  A little more expensive than we’re used to even in a non-ACSI period, however it’s a well organised camp in a great location on the beach.

 

No sooner had we parked Lefty, our ‘New Zealand' sticker with its silver fern’ was spotted by Nick, a Kiwi who we invited over for drinks later on.

 

 

 

Spent the afternoon swimming and exploring the camp and surrounding area.  Walked  the beach along the promenade into the village with it’s eateries and up, around the headland.

 Had a nice evening with Nick and Michelle from Alex but living in London for two years.  They’ve biked through France, Italy and Slovenia to get here.

23.08

Followed the cycle path down through the beaches into the city centre. The city is dominated by Diocletians’s Palace, built by Emperor Diocletian in 293 and one of the best preserved monuments of Roman Architecture in the world and on the UNESCO heritage list 

 

We can see that this amazing city’s vivid history has given it a mix of styles, ‘old and new’.  We followed the cafe lined promenade to the ‘Marjan Park’ and walked up the hundreds of steps through the forest to the top for a spectacular panorama.

 

 

We explored the town behind the walls where the Roman architecture stands out amongst the  chic shops, boulevards and eateries. 

 

 

 

 

Ate lunch on the promenade over looking the water on one side and the Palace walls and eateries  on the other.

Another nice evening with Nick and Michelle at the local Pizzeria.

 

24.08

 

Our late nights are catching up on us so we decided to stay an extra day and enjoy the beach.  Nick and Michelle rode off late morning, we may catch them in Dubrovnik.

 

 

 

 

25.08

After paying our bill and receiving a great souvenir from the camp, we followed the coast, mountain range on one side and the clear blue Adriatic on the other. 

 

 

 

 

 

Little resorts among rocky inlets and lots of apartments and rooms for rent, through the pretty, old town of Omis with it’s busy market. There are still a lot of tourists about which this part of the coast is clearly geared up for. 

 

Through another stretch called the Makarska Riviera, overlooking the islands of Brac and Hvar.  Seems to be greener as we head further south with camps tucked amongst the pine trees. 

 

 

 

Had a picnic lunch over looking the sea and Peljesac Peninsula then travelled inland.  Our panorama changed and we were surprised to see lakes near Bacina and then we were following the Noretva River and passing tempting fruit and vegie stalls with fountains spraying water over watermelons.  Rows of vineyards on the slopes of the hills and irrigated trees and crops in the valley.  

 

 

At the Bosnia Herzegovina border we were waived through passport control and travelled a bizarre 12kms before another border check back into Croatia.  Here our passports as well as our International Driver’s Licence were ‘glanced’ at. 

 

 

 

 

  

Our coastal drive particularly around Dubrovnik is spectacular with some gorgeous little towns and rocky coves like the northern coastline which overall we prefer, then a breath taking view of the walled Old Town of  Dubrovnik as we looked down from above. 
 

 

On passed Sebrano to Mlini 6kms south of Dubrovnik where we found a cute little family camp called Camping Kate (18 euros).  Chose our site and headed down the stairs through the restaurant and café to the beach for a swim.  

 

26.08      

Up early and caught the 9.30 ferry (21 euros for two return) from the beach below our camp to Dubrovnik.  It's great to be on the water and beautiful as it is, there are sad signs of the past war, a couple of 'bombed out' buildings and a guarded 'no go' area.  Twenty five minutes later we were in the old walled town. 

Dubrovnik is among the ten best preserved medieval walled cities in the world.  It was demilitarised in the 1970's to protect it from the war.  However in 1991 after the break up of Yugoslavia it was besieged by the Serbs and Montenegrin soldiers gathered in the Yugoslav People's Army and for seven months suffered significant damage from the shelling. 

We walked the inner town and paid 26 euros for two, to walk the Old Town walls, stunning views of the Old Town, the sea and islands.

Most of the war damage is now repaired.  It's up there with the best for the sheer wow factor One of the wonders of the world! 

Left the Old Town and walked hundreds of stairs up to the coastal road for an incredible panorama!  Back down to the Old Town and a wonderful fish lunch and more exploring. 

 

 

 

Caught the 4.15 pm ferry back to camp and threw ourselves into the water!

 

 

 

 

27.08

Beach, swimming and catch up day!  Met Dave and Jackie from Manchester, Hans and Ulrika from Germany and the fit sixty-something year old Slovakian chap that spends his days running and trekking in the hills.