Split, Croatia

Well, Split is a big disappointment - sorry Rick Stein.  He gave it a big wrap in his Venice to Istanbul cooking series.  Nobody has heard of the two restaurants he visited.  But we did have a nice meal somewhere regardless.  It is a city full of tourists with little charisma that we could discern, especially having just experienced the small town charm of Mostar the day before.

The main attraction here is the Diocletian Palace which is supposedly one of the most imposing Roman ruins in existence.  It is a strange phenomenon as it is not really a palace or a museum but a living heart of the city, packed with people, locals as well as tourists, bars, shops and restaurants and people living in the buildings.

It was built as a military fortress, imperial residence and fortified town, with walls reinforced by square corner towers.  There are 220 buildings within the palace boundaries, which is home to about 3,000 people.

Dalmatian singers in one of the atriums, selling their CD.  They were pretty good to listen to.

The view down from the bell tower and also views of the city.

Us on the balcony of our lodgings, the Villa Ana.  Accommodation is not cheap here even though September is no longer the height of the tourist season.