Split

 The Second largest city in Croatia, and the largest city in the Dalmatia Region.

Home to the Diocletian's Palace, Split was founded as a Greek colony of Aspalathos around 3rd century BC. It is situated along the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea and is a popular base for doing island hopping.

View of Split town from Marjan Forest Park

How to get there

You can reach Split from Dubrovnik (and vice versa) either by taking the ferry or riding the bus. It will depend on which experience you would like, but the travel time one way is relatively still the same. For us it took a whopping total of 6 hours.

Approaching Split port

Ferry

Take a ferry from the port in Dubrovnik. Be sure to check out the most updated timetables online. There are 2 ferry companies that run daily: Jadrolinija and Kapetan Luka. They have one trip a day during the high season. The boats will stop on the main islands to let passengers alight/board and that is the main reason why the whole journey is long. But travel time is roughly 4.5 hours. Better go to the port early so that you get to choose your seats. You can buy food on board.

1 way adult Fare: 230 Kn

Bus

If you take the bus from Dubrovnik bus station, travel time should be roughly at least 4 hours. Dubrovnik is about 215km from Split following the coastal road. There is a check point when crossing the border (briefly) of Bosnia and Herzegovina in which officers will board the bus to check your passport/travel document So you better have them ready in your bag and not on the hold. During our time, one of the passengers had his passport on the hold so it took us time before we can go through the border. There is a 15-minute stop-over for toilet break/refreshments while in Bosnia.

1 way adult Fare: 120 Kn

Things to do

1. Swimming

We went to have a dip in the sandy Bacvice beach, which was the closest one to our accommodation.

Bacvice Public Beach

2. Explore the Old Town

Walk around the small charming streets of the Old Town.

Pjaca or People's Square

Pass through the city's smallest attraction and narrowest street, Let Me Pass street (aka Pusti me da prodjem).

Let Me Pass Street

Street signs

Go through the different gates and entrances.

Entrance to Old Town from Riva

Golden Gate

3. Dine/People-watch along the Riva.

A restaurant along the Riva

Benches along the Riva

4. Diocletian Palace

This 30,000 sq.m. fortress-like palace served as a residence of the Roman emperor Diocletian and the military garrison in 4th century AD.

Entrance to the palace is free.

Diocletian Palace

At night time, Peristil square gets particularly busier and filled with people and street performers.

Peristil square

5. St. Domnius Cathedral

Built in 305 CE, this cathedral is dedicated to the city's patron saint, Saint Domnius, and has a characteristic tall Romanesque bell tower. It is the oldest Catholic cathedral in the world.

Dome

Entrance fee is 15 Kn, plus an additional 15 Kn to climb the bell tower. Since it is a place of worship, proper attire is observed. A covering will be required for those wearing sleeveless tops and shorts/mini skirts.

Inside the Cathedral

You can write and leave a letter inside the crypt, which is now a chapel dedicated to St. Lucy. It is cool inside and is a good short respite from the heat during summer.

Inside the crypt

6. Game of Thrones Filming Locations

- Basement of Diocletian's Palace as Daenerys' throne room or the dungeons where she kept her dragons. 

Basement shops

It is filled with shops for souvenirs and other dry goods.

Basement of Diocletian Palace

- Papaliceva street as one of the streets where they filmed the Slave rebellion scene.

Papaliceva Street

- Klis Fortress as the City of Meereen.

7. Marjan Park

Wander around the massive Marjan Park.

Marjan steps

Marjan Park is a forested hillside park with jogging/walking trails, look out points, botanical gardens, and picnic sites.

Gospe od Betlema: one of the chapels in the park

Venezia

Day trip in Venice

Quick itinerary for a short Venetian experience: literally just a photo-op day and not entering any of the establishments. 

When in Venice, one can easily lose track of time because of the charming canals/streets of the capital. So for those who would like to see more within a limited amount of time and not be distracted, here's a quick day trip itinerary.

Venetian windows

Getting There:

It is so easy to get to Venice as it is only a train ride away to its station - Station di Venezia Santa Lucia. I suggest to book the tickets online, even on the day itself, as it is way cheaper than purchasing them at the train station.

Going Around Venice:

Upon arrival at the train station, since this is a quick day trip, it is practical to buy the 1-day Venice Tourist Travel Card (also available for 2, 3, or 7 days) which includes unlimited travel on the ACTV water and land buses, from the water bus station immediately in front and outside of the station.

Gondola ride

Make sure to validate the ticket by tapping it against the white electronic card readers every time before boarding the water bus or inside the land bus to avoid being fined.

I've also read from other travellers that it is indeed still worth to ride a gondola even just for half an hour. So if you're willing to shell out some euros and have a couple (30 minutes or more, that is) of time to spare, try riding a gondola and enjoy the sights of the capital in a romantic and relaxed pace.

Venetian street/canal

Ponte Rialto

Board a water bus to get to Ponte Rialto - the oldest out of the 4 bridges that cross the Venetian Grand Canal. The ornate-covered 16th century stone footbridge connects the districts of San Marco and San Polo, and is one of the city's hottest tourist attractions.

Rialto Bridge

Grand Canal

The Grand Canal is a 3km channel in Venice forming one of the major water-traffic corridors of the city. It is considered as the city's bustling 'main street' lined with restaurants and shops in old Venetian buildings and palaces.

Grand Canal

Piazza San Marco

Piazza San Marco, or simply, la Piazza, is Venice's main and largest public square. All the other squares in the city are known as 'campi'. Being at the heart of the city, here you'll find St. Mark's Basilica and the Doge's Palace, Torre dell Orologio, and the San Marco Campanile.

Piazza San Marco

The piazza has an extension towards the lagoon in its southeast corner and is called Piazzetta.

St. Mark's Basilica

St. Mark's Basilica is the cathedral church of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Venice. The Italo-Byzantine styled cathedral is the most well-known church of the city.

St. Mark's Basilica

Entry to the basilica is free but expect a long and 'processional' queue  to get inside the cathedral. Pre-booking is required.

St. Mark's Basilica

Doge's Palace

A Venetian Gothic style palace which served as the residence of the Doge of Venice, the supreme authority of the former Republic of Venice, but is now a museum since 1923.

Regular ticket is €20 (combined ticket for entrance to other tourist attractions in Venice).

Torre dell Orologio

This is the city's 14th-century clock tower located on the north side of St. Mark's Square at the entrance to the Merceria. The huge face of the clock shows the hours of the day, phases of the moon, and movement of the sun through the Zodiac signs. It is also known as the Moor's Clocktower.

Moor's Clocktower

Regular ticket is €12.

San Marco Campanile

The 98.6m tall campanile is the bell tower of St. Mark's Basilica. 

Campanile

The original tower used to serve as a lighthouse for the sailors, and a belfry. The belfry house 5 bells - each being rang for different purposes during the Republic of Venice.

Regular ticket is €8. Climbing the tower provides panoramic views of the city. But we weren't able to go up during out visit.

Bridge of Sighs

Built in 1600, the Bridge of Sighs (also known as the Hertford Bridge) is an enclosed bridge made of limestone. The bridge has windows with stone bars, passes over Rio di Palazzo, and connects the New Prison to the interrogation rooms in the Doge's Palace.

Bridge of Sighs

Venetian  Lagoon Islands

Apart from the Venetian capital, it is possible to explore at least 2 of the islands in the Venetian Lagoon (in our case, we chose Murano and Lido) in the afternoon.

If you do plan to explore the islands of the lagoon, make sure to check the boat timetables so as not to be stuck unnecessarily in the last island you're at.

Murano

Murano is known as the glass-making centre of Venice. The most visited site in the island is the Museo del Vetro - the museum which tells the story of the island's glass-making through the centuries, and features a souvenir/gift shop.

Murano

Other points of interest include the the churches of Santa Maria and San Donato. The two churches were built in the Romanesque style, with the latter featuring a colourful mosaic floor and supposedly housing the remains of a slain dragon.

Mosaic floor

Lunch at B Restaurant

Abacus-like

We had a delightful seafood lunch at B Restaurant known for affordable seafood with big servings. You will find this restaurant with an iconic glass piece resembling an abacus placed in the small square in front of the restaurant.

Seafood for lunch

Lido di Venezia

Lido is an 11km long sandbar in the Venetian Lagoon. Lido hosts the Venice Film Festival every September, and is the only island in the lagoon where there is a public beach to go to for a swim.

Lido's Free beach

Verona Ohh-nana

48 hours in Verona

Walking tour of the city

Piazza Bra

Piazza Bra is the largest and main square in Verona, and for some, it is also one of the largest in Europe. Like Piazza delle Erbe, it is also lined with restaurants and old buildings with notable architecture. The square is cemented with pink marble from the Valpolicella region. In the centre of the square is a statute of King Vittorio Emanuel II, the first ruler of united Italy. The fountain found in the square is known as Fontana delle Alpi which was built by the Germans to celebrate Verona's pairing with Munich. The fountain is commonly referred by locals as Lemon Squeeze because it looks like one.

Piazza Bra

Also located in the piazza is the Arena di Verona - a Roman amphitheater which is now being used today for large-scale theatrical/opera performances. 

Castelvecchio

Castelvecchio

A castle in Verona, Castelvecchio was regarded as the most important military construction of the Scaliger dynasty that ruled the city during the Middle Ages. The castle is connected to the city by the Castelvecchio Bridge, both characterised by imposing M-shaped merlons running along the bridge and the castle walls.

Castelvecchio Bridge

The castle is now home to a the Castelvecchio Museum. Regular ticket price is €6.

Arco dei Gavi

Built by the Gens Gavia, an illustrious and noble Roman family who had their hometown in Verona, Arco de Gavi is located at the beginning of the Roman road, Via Postumia, which leads to the city. The gate is made of white Veronese marble and used to serve as a gate to the city in the Middle Ages.

Arco dei Gavi

Piazza delle Erbe

Piazza delle Erbe at daytime

Once the town's forum during the Roman Empire, Piazza delle Erbe is a square in Verona now lined with cafes and buildings with quaint architecture. At day time, a market is set up in the centre, and at nighttime, it becomes a meeting place for people for drinks and evening meal as the restaurants occupy the sides of the plaza with their outdoor seating.

Piazza delle Erbe at night

Porta Borsari

Dating back to 1st century AD, Port Borsari is an ancient Roman gate in Verona. People used it as an entrance to the city if coming from Via Postumia.

Giulietta's House

Juliet's House

A Gothic style 1300s house with a stone balcony overlooking a small courtyard, Juliet's house is said to have significantly inspired William Shakespeare, and it is in this balcony where Romeo promised his beloved Juliet eternal love.

Rubbing Juliet's bosom

It is now a museum and every day, hundreds of tourists flock to see this house and rub the bosom of Juliet's statue for a stroke of good luck in finding the love of their life. Regular admission costs €6.

Juliet's Balcony

Romeo's House

Now a private home, Romeo's house is a bit tricky to find. Built in the 14th century, Romeo's house is made of crenelated walls with a Gothic door marked by a Shakespeare inscription.

Outside Romeo's House

Torre dei Lamberti

An 84 meter high tower near Juliet's house, Lamberti's Tower is the highest building in Verona. It was originally a tower house in the 12th century. With a lift or about 368 steps to reach the top, one can enjoy panoramic views of the city with a ticket (regular price of €8) that also includes entry to the Gallery of Modern Art. 

Piazza dei Signori

Located behind the busy Piazza delle Erbe, Piazza dei Signori is another large square in Verona which is dominated by a statue of Dante made in 1865, and hence, it is also known as the Piazza Dante. Two buildings built by the Palladio are also located in the square, the Palazzo degli Scaligeri and the Palazzo del Comune.

Scaligeri Tombs

Scaligeri Tombs

Situated next to the Piazza dei Signori is the Scaliger Tombs built by the Della Scalla family. It consists of five Gothic funerary monuments celebrating the medieval Scaligeri Family who ruled Verona from the 13th to the late 14th century. The tombs are separated from the street by a wall of iron grilles and are situated next to the church of Santa Maria Antica.

Verona Cathedral Complex

Verona Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral in Verona dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary. The cathedral is known by the name of S. Maria Matricolare.

Inside Verona Cathedral

It is the episcopal seat of the Diocese of Verona. The complex consists of the Duomo, Baptistery, Church of St. Helen and archaeological excavations. Regular ticket price is €3.

Verona Cathedral

Verona Cathedral - altar

Ponte Pietra

Ponte Pietra

Also known as Pons Marmoreus, Ponte Pietra (Italian for "Stone Bridge")  is a Roman arch bridge crossing the Adige River in Verona, and is the oldest bridge of the city.

Teatro Romano

Teatro Romano is an ancient Roman theatre set on a hillside in Verona constructed towards the end of the 1st century BC. It now has a museum which houses important artefacts of Verona's history. In summer, the theatre hosts various music shows. Regular ticket price is €4.50.

Castel San Pietro

City views from Castel San Pietro

Saint Peter's Castle is situated on top of the hill above the Teatro Romano. It can be reached on foot by a couple of staircases starting from Ponte Pietra and passing behind the theatre. During the Roman times, the hill had a religious function and was known as the Monte Gallo. Because of its high strategic location, it offers great panoramic views of the city and is perfect to be visited during the golden hour. 

Panoramic views from Castel San Pietro