Border Crossing
There are always more than one way to skin a cat - and equally, one way to get from Slovenia to Croatia, which is where we headed next.
Ljubljana, as you know, because you flew with me from Belgrade, has a perfectly good airport, and we could fly from there to Split. Or hire a car. But because I have the theory that travelling is the good, the bad and the back sides of cities, that taking the local bus to Zagreb and then flying from there to Split is a good plan. You get to hang out with other travellers, and you get to check out the countryside - and you get to experience the border crossing between Slovenia (tidy as a pin) and Croatia (get your act together Croatia). Whilst both countries are in the EU, Croatia is not yet a member of the Schengen Treaty (I think I have mentioned this before) and won't be until it agrees to the requirements of said treaty - so meanwhile you hand your passport over at the Slovenia border, drive for a minute or so in the bus, tumble out again and then hand it over to the Croatian border people.
All nicely achieved, shuttle bus to the airport - to discover that our tickets didn't include bags - which cost an extra $35 - no major issues but never buy tickets from Cheapoair! My fault for missing that, but I've been booking tickets online for years - Cheapoair also (in the fine print) charges a large handling fee on what seems cheap tickets - a fee which equalled more than a flight cost. Be warned.
And now we are very nicely in Split. I prefer Split to Dubrovnik - it is alive. Local people still live in the Diocletian Palace - it is teeming with tourists, but there are enough side alleys and ulice that you can find a quiet corner. Coffee and cocktails are great, and we have eaten some amazing food. Over the years that I have been coming to Split, the heavy local food has been supplemented by vegetarian and healthy salad options - all beautifully presented in cute little cafes - great music and ambiance, fabulous lighting everywhere in the evening.
The other night I sat in the Peristil listening to a guy on a guitar with a fabulous voice to match - people danced and sang. I stayed in the crowd for an hour so after the others disappeared and soaked it all in. (Diana, at Luxor).
Last night at dinner, a kolo group performed in the square - gorgeous! Split is a city which breathes - I feel as though Dubrovnik is holding its breath.
The hotel we are lucky enough to be staying in is beyond amazing - it was a combined 'wow' from everyone as we were allocated our rooms - stunning. Five minutes walk from the port and from the palace, in a pedestrian street - totally silent. A fabulous find.
Tomorrow, we will wander to Trogir. Looking forward to it.
Ljubljana, as you know, because you flew with me from Belgrade, has a perfectly good airport, and we could fly from there to Split. Or hire a car. But because I have the theory that travelling is the good, the bad and the back sides of cities, that taking the local bus to Zagreb and then flying from there to Split is a good plan. You get to hang out with other travellers, and you get to check out the countryside - and you get to experience the border crossing between Slovenia (tidy as a pin) and Croatia (get your act together Croatia). Whilst both countries are in the EU, Croatia is not yet a member of the Schengen Treaty (I think I have mentioned this before) and won't be until it agrees to the requirements of said treaty - so meanwhile you hand your passport over at the Slovenia border, drive for a minute or so in the bus, tumble out again and then hand it over to the Croatian border people.
All nicely achieved, shuttle bus to the airport - to discover that our tickets didn't include bags - which cost an extra $35 - no major issues but never buy tickets from Cheapoair! My fault for missing that, but I've been booking tickets online for years - Cheapoair also (in the fine print) charges a large handling fee on what seems cheap tickets - a fee which equalled more than a flight cost. Be warned.
And now we are very nicely in Split. I prefer Split to Dubrovnik - it is alive. Local people still live in the Diocletian Palace - it is teeming with tourists, but there are enough side alleys and ulice that you can find a quiet corner. Coffee and cocktails are great, and we have eaten some amazing food. Over the years that I have been coming to Split, the heavy local food has been supplemented by vegetarian and healthy salad options - all beautifully presented in cute little cafes - great music and ambiance, fabulous lighting everywhere in the evening.
The other night I sat in the Peristil listening to a guy on a guitar with a fabulous voice to match - people danced and sang. I stayed in the crowd for an hour so after the others disappeared and soaked it all in. (Diana, at Luxor).
Last night at dinner, a kolo group performed in the square - gorgeous! Split is a city which breathes - I feel as though Dubrovnik is holding its breath.
The hotel we are lucky enough to be staying in is beyond amazing - it was a combined 'wow' from everyone as we were allocated our rooms - stunning. Five minutes walk from the port and from the palace, in a pedestrian street - totally silent. A fabulous find.
Tomorrow, we will wander to Trogir. Looking forward to it.
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