Planning a trip to a beautiful place in Croatia?

I have been travelling since my young age. I am now at mid age but still love to travel a lot. Recently, I had a chance to travel to Split (in Croatia) and Kotor, (in Montenegro) with my wife. We wanted to go there since 2019 but due to COVID restrictions and flight cancellation, we did not make it. Thankfully, there is no COVID restriction flying to Croatia anymore, not even wearing face musk in the flight. However, this time we booked a flight from Heathrow Airport to Dubrovnik and from there we rented a car driving to Split. We could have booked our flight to Split directly but fare was more reasonable to Dubrovnik destination than that of Spilt. Besides that, we had in mind, driving from Dubrovnik will give us more opportunity to see the greater part of Croatia. Our flight time was very early morning, and we booked a local taxi from Reading to Heathrow Airport. Our flight was little delay due to illness of a passenger, but we finally landed in Croatia. 

Our Flight was landing at Dubrovnik Airport; Video: Russo aka Roni

From outside of the Dubrovnik airport, we rented a car that we booked through Kayak. You will also be able to rent a car from various car rental companies that are just outside the Airport. During the peak time, car rent is much higher than we paid in the first week of October 2022. On top of car rental cost, you also need to put a deposit of €900 for the car but they will release this fund once you will return the car without any damage. They might also ask you to take insurance if you drive the car to Bosnia or Montenegro. This insurance was required until October 2021 but recently this was scrapped by their government. If you still want to be in safe side, you need to bear in mind that different car rental company charge different amount for this insurance that may cost you from €45 to €125. Montenegro and Bosnia are not the part of EU hence this insurance will cover if anything happens to the car in those territories.

We also wanted to pay for Satnav/GPS separately but one of the staff there advised us to buy a mobile phone SIM card from a local shop in Dubrovnik which is few miles away from the airport. The price of renting separate Satnav/GPS is little more expensive than that of buying a local mobile phone SIM card. Thus, I bought a SIM card from a local shop, and it cost me Seventy-Five Kuna. Although, Croatia is part of EU but not in EURO currency zone currently. Hence, they use their own currency name Kuna. However, they will become the member of EURO currency zone from January 2023. So, if you travel to Croatia before 1st January 2023, don't forget of buying some Kuna from your local currency exchange shop. At the airport you may not get the best exchange rate. I bought Kuna from local Western Union currency shop in Reading, UK.

After having our lunch in Dubrovnik, we started heading towards Split. While driving through Dubrovnik, along the way, I was enjoying the breath-taking coastal and alp views of Croatia. The journey from Dubrovnik to Split is quite enjoyable if you love the stunning sea and mountain views. It took us about four hours reaching to our hotel Hotel Plaza Duce in Split from Dubrovnik Airport. 

Hotel Plaza Duce is quite expensive but during off peak season the price we paid was little cheaper. The staffs were very welcoming, and they upgraded us to a premier room that have a sea and roof top swimming pool view. The hotel staff even offered us to take our luggage's to our room but as I always carry very light weight bag, did not bother to take that service. Besides that, there lifts were quite spacious and frequently available. We stayed three nights in that excellent beach front hotel in Split. The food of the hotel was delicious, and price was reasonable. They provide buffet breakfast, lunch and dinner. They also have pool bar restaurant and room service which also provide the similar service that they provide in their buffet restaurant. Restaurant staffs were very helpful and provided top rated service. Most of the time, we had our breakfast and dinner at the hotel.

A view from the hotel balcony in Split; Image: Russo aka Roni 

The beach in front of the hotel was across the road and is really beautiful. They provide bar, Jet Ski and boating service at the beach. There are many small and large Sandy, Concrete and Pebbles beaches all around the Split. Among them, Beach Bacvice is the most popular which is mainly a sandy beach. It has also concrete part. You will be able to swim and jumping into the ocean. Beach Znjan is the biggest pebble beach in Split and they have large free car parking space. Oceans water in Split is crystal clear and not very cold even in off peak season.  If you are a beach lover and want to do some video or photography, Croatia is one of the best places to go.

Stony Beach in Split; Image: Russo aka Roni

A pebble beach near by the hotel; Image: Russo aka Roni

Although, most of the time we had our breakfast and dinner in the hotel restaurant, but we also dined out in some other restaurants in Split. There are many restaurants and some night clubs in this tourist spot. Food cost may be little pricy as most of the restaurants are close to seashore. But if you go to old town, food prices are more reasonable than the seashore restaurants. Entry to the night clubs are free and drinks prices are not that pricy.

Local street food shop in Split; Image: Russo aka Roni

On our 2^nd day in Split, we have decided to go to Krka National Park which is an hour and half drive from our hotel location. Krka National Park is a beautiful place you do not want to miss when you are in Split. If you do not have car, it is better you book a tour bus operator to take you to this magnificent Krka National Park. Parking is free and the entrance fee to the waterfall is 110 Kuna per person which includes a short bus trip. This bus operates every twenty minutes from the park entrance gate that will take you to the nearest point of the waterfall.

Krka National Park; Image: Russo aka Roni

You can also walk from the park entrance gate if you know how to get to the waterfall, but I will suggest you take the bus ride as the price difference of the entrance fee is only Ten Kuna. Krka National Park is famous for its stunning waterfall scenery and its incredible nature in all over the park. Do not forget to take your video and SLR camera, if you want to take some breath-taking shots in front of those beautiful waterfalls. If you are lucky, you may get chance to swim in the Krka River. I used my GoPro Hero 11 camera that I bought to do some excellent shots and videos.

On our third day, we booked a five-island Viator Blue Cave Tour for the whole day through my favourite online tour operator Viator but unfortunately the tour was cancelled due to strong breeze. I was little disappointed to hear this weather news and miss the opportunity to swim in the blue cave. Nevertheless, Viator staffs were so helpful, and they refunded our money on the same day. As the tour was cancelled, I have decided to buy my laptop adapter (charger) that I forgot to bring with me and left it at home. On weekend, most of the computer shops are closed in Croatia but fortunately it was Monday. So, we drove to the old city of the Split and bought some great stuffs from local computer shops for my laptop and GoPro Camera. The price of the computer and electronic products are quite reasonable in Split if you buy it from local shop.

We also drove to Marjan Forest Park on the same day where you will be able to see the world-renowned waterfront of Split Riva. I climbed up to the hill from where Split city can be seen. Travellers from all over the world will have a chance to experience the majesty of this park-forest as well as the stunning view of the Split city and nearby island.

A part of old city in Split; Image: Russo eka Roni

There are many other places to see in Split but as we stayed there for only three nights, we were not able to visit all the places. Few more tourist spots we wanted to explore are Dioclatian’s Palace, Golden Gate, The Split Peristyle, Split Riva, Marmon Street, Prokurative, Split Market (Piazza) etc. I will recommend you stay few more days if you want to discover more tourist spots in Split. 

On our last day in Split, we have decided to relax and spend time in the hotel as we had a long journey ahead to Kotor, Montenegro that I will write about in my next blog post. 

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