Split and Trogir, Croatia

It's not a funny name!
Split, Croatia

Split was next on my list of places to visit in Croatia. I took the bus from Dubrovnik to Split (106 kn [$19], including 7 kn for luggage storage), leaving at 7:45 am and arriving at 12:15 pm. The road was very windy and close to the coastal edge (a steep drop-off), but the views were amazing. The bus passes through Bosnia (two passport checks, one on entry and one on exit) and even stops in Neum, Bosnia for a rest stop. So yes, I can actually say I have been to Bosnia, as I got off the bus and walked around for a minute ☺

I came to Split to see Diocletian's Palace (I'm a fan of Roman ruins) and was totally unimpressed. Having been to Italy, Germany, and (now) Hungary and England, this was not worth the trip.

I did love this public fountain in Split. The water comes out of the thumb of a hand in a sign-language letter t and (mostly) lands in the metal cup below.

As I had run out of free/cheap/low-energy things to do in Split, I took the bus to Trogir the next morning. While Rick Steves says the suburban bus station is a pain to get to, I disagree. It was a brief, pleasant walk. The bus to Split (#37) was 29 kn return ($5) and took an hour each way. It goes by the airport (the airport is so low-key, I didn't even realize it was an airport until the return trip) and ends at Trogir's bus station (so no need to signal to get off!).

It's not a funny name! Split, Croatia Split was next on my list of places to visit in Croatia. I took the bus from Dubrovnik to Split (106 kn [$19], including 7 kn for luggage storage), leaving at 7:45 am and arriving at 12:15 pm. The road was very windy and close to the coastal edge (a steep drop-off), but the views were amazing. The bus passes through Bosnia (two passport checks, one on entry and one on exit) and even stops in Neum, Bosnia for a rest stop. So yes, I can actually say I have been to Bosnia, as I got off the bus and walked around for a minute ☺

The bus station in Split is right across from the ferry port. When I got off the bus, I was shocked at how busy it was! I had booked a room through the Daluma Travel Agency (very easy to find, on the way into town). It was 511 kn (€72, $90) for two nights, including tax. The room had its own bathroom, TV, and mini kitchen (I only used the fridge) and was a block away from Diocletian's Palace.
I came to Split to see Diocletian's Palace (I'm a fan of Roman ruins) and was totally unimpressed. Having been to Italy, Germany, and (now) Hungary and England, this was not worth the trip.

The Peristyle Square in the center of Diocletian's Palace was my favorite part of the Old Town (other than just walking around the Old Town and along the Riva). Crowded but pretty!
I did love this public fountain in Split. The water comes out of the thumb of a hand in a sign-language letter t and (mostly) lands in the metal cup below.
	As I had run out of free/cheap/low-energy things to do in Split, I took the bus to Trogir the next morning. While Rick Steves says the suburban bus station is a pain to get to, I disagree. It was a brief, pleasant walk. The bus to Split (#37) was 29 kn return ($5) and took an hour each way. It goes by the airport (the airport is so low-key, I didn't even realize it was an airport until the return trip) and ends at Trogir's bus station (so no need to signal to get off!).

In my journal, I called Trogir the Frankenmuth of Split. It's cute, close, and touristy. The market was fabulous to walk around in, although I bought my food at the Konzum across the street. The left-hand picture is of me on the waterside walk in Trogir. They have beautiful public benches below the palms; I just sat there and enjoyed the people-watching. There were people getting on and off the boats much of the time I was there. The right-hand photo is of me in the Trogir's main square. Much of tourist Trogir was under construction while I was there. I've been to better markets (nothing will ever compare to Togo) and better medieval towns; Trogir is worth about an hour or two of pleasant strolling.
Notes on Split:
One full day in Split is more than enough for a cheapskate like me (visit Diocletian's Palace, go swimming, grab a few slices of pizza, and bus to Trogir and back). Get to the islands with more time!! I wish I had!! I bought half a kilo of cherries at the fruit market to the east of the Palace. So good!	Internet in Split is more expensive than in Dubrovnik Stamps to the USA were 5 kn (90 cents) each Split's main intercity bus station, Autobusni Kolodvor, is very user-friendly and helpful.