Split - Final destination for our travel companions Iz & Ali

Split, Croatia. This is probably one of my favourite places to reminisce, for many of the same reasons as our previous locations. However, this one has so many perfect memories attached: memories of amazing friends, in a city of grand history and stunning views.

The first treasure of the trip was the catch up that we managed to orchestrate with the inspiring and ever encouraging Tim Belcher. He only enriched the gorgeous town even more, as we dined and caught up on our adventures. The nightlife was an absolute buzz! Crowds of people were swarming the main strand as we weaved our way through to find some of the best gelato after our European dinner. It didn’t take long to locate the gelato, however, it did take a little longer to choose the flavours… there were so many!

Scouting out a perfect swimming spot is a refined skill that I believe we have now mastered, after proving ourselves along the coast of Split. We found ourselves this abandoned concrete surface with a small bridge providing us with a jumping/lookout platform. The day could not have been more enjoyable. Hours of soaking in the sun, laughing our heads off, and trying too many times to capture golden moments. It was totally worth it – we got some cracking shots on the camera. These are in particular some of my favourite photos, as for once my husband actually features in them, rather than being the man behind them (unashamed self credit for the glorious photographs).

No doubt, it has evidently become expected that I will eventually go on to describe our dining experience… this one was bloody good! We were recommended by our accommodation hosts to go to a particular restaurant that was hidden in the backstreets of the Old Town. After getting lost in alleyways, we finally stumbled across a stunning little open restaurant that was subtly complimented with fairy lights, purple checker tablecloths and art pieces hanging on the concrete walls. We forked out a little more for this meal, but I would do it all over again, and again, and again!

The mouth-watering seafood that was cooked by the open fire was presented just in time, before the amazing aromas drove us to starvation. We feasted and then raved about the fantastic feasting for the remaining of the night. It did not end here. Nay! The insatiable appetite of my husband and the sweet-hearted/sweet-toothed Ali decided that they were going on a “dessert crawl”. We went from one dessert stand to the next on the main strip, and purchased the aromatic cinnamon doughnuts, Nutella crepes, coconut and hazelnut gelato….

Summer loving, at its best!

Unfortunately, this was the last destination that our amazing travel companions Iz and Ali will be joining us on.  From here we dropped them at the airport in the morning and said our goodbyes :( and continued on our coastal road trip to Rovinj.  This next post is a real treat!!!

Korcula - The bar is set high...

If ever roaming the landscapes of beautiful Croatia, it will be expected of you to indulge in the stunning Dalmatian coast, known for its intense, picturesque, breath-taking scenery. This is best done when ‘island hopping’. And so we did… From Dubrovnik we set off in our hired car and journeyed our way alongside the coastal line. The summer heat was blazing, however the inviting turquoise sea amended this, as we were able to pull the car over whenever we pleased and walk into the heavenly, refreshing water.

The road trip was heart-throbbing as the landscape never failed to flirt, taunt and tease until we fell in love over and over with the countryside. Israel and Ali were always such pleasant company; we were never short of laughter and Tim and I were constantly grateful for another life-long friendship in the making.

We boarded the car ferry and headed for the first Island: Korcula. It took us a while to locate our camping spot, however I am still convinced that it was the best one on the Island. We met a lovely couple who owed a small vineyard, a few goats and a house that had been in the family for 500 years! It was on the land next to this house that we pitched our tents, with orange and pink brush strokes across the vast canvas overhead. We slept on the rich soil, which was embedded with history, love and adventure. Israel made a new friend in the hilariously bleating goat.

Still, to this day, my most treasured memory from all of my travels includes the day that we hired a small, motorised boat and set sail for the small islands that lay close to Korcula. It almost wasn’t destined to happen; all of the boats were booked out for the day, when all of the sudden the lady at the desk decided to call her friend who lived 100metres down the road. Shortly we were met with a huge smile from a small-framed man riding his bicycle, waving ferociously at us. He took us to his boat, gave the boys a few words of advice and then waved us off from the shore. If I had realised then the gift that he had just given us, I probably would have squeezed him for an uncomfortably long time before boarding his dinghy. I am unable to describe the glorious escapade of the stunning water, the white rocks, the textured islands, all offering us their very best displays. Forever banked in my mind for whenever I need to go to a happy place!

Whilst we felt nothing could beat those stunning moments, we managed to be invited back into our boat owner’s house whilst he gave us free homemade shots and gave us all the time in the world to answer our questions about his hometown. Us girls put on a brave face and sipped the first shot with tiny wee sips, trying not to choke up. The boys, or men I should say, managed to finish ours and happily accept his offer for seconds. We left feeling very jolly and cheery. However, we didn’t leave without his best recommendations of where to eat. Yep, we did it again. We discovered the delicacies of this gorgeous island, and continued where we left off in Dubrovnik – fresh seafood, hot buns and balsamic vinegar, local wine and grilled veggie platters. Mmmhmmm…

Before departing the island, we popped into the Old Town and enjoyed some more sun with a touch of historical wonders; The House of Marko Polo!!

Enjoy the amazing photos by my talented Tim, and please oh please let them pull on the strings of your heart, as they still do for us.