Bonus Vis Day!
Our original schedule for the day was to leave it at the noon ferry and make our way to split for an afternoon in the old town. However, having had a glimpse of the packed streets and comparing that to the relative emptiness of Vis, we decided to make a game time decision and go on the 6 o’clock ferry instead and enjoy one more lazy day in Vis town.
We packed up our things and left them with our super helpful Airbnb host and by 11 we were making our way into town for some last-minute gift shopping.
Before setting off into town, Tom and Tyler did a drone flight from our back deck, straight up 400 feet and made a spectacular panorama photo.
Around 12:30, we stopped at an exceptionally cute snack/bar spot overlooking the water before heading back to our local beach for one last run of ocean splashing.
Back to our same spot in the shade, we enjoyed watching the boats go by and jumping into the clear blue sea. Tom and Tyler decided to try swimming “natural” and made their way covered in Sue’s sarong to the waters edge before quickly stripping down and jumping in. Boys will be boys!
Around five we began our journey 20 minutes to our luggage followed by another 20 minutes to the ferry port arriving with plenty of time to board the 6 o’clock ferry. We got a spot on the shady side of the sundeck and immediately realized that we had made an excellent decision to travel in the cool early evening rather than in the sweltering mid day.
The 2 1/2 hour journey back to Split was lovely and at 8:30 we reconnected with Roko, our final host at our final location.
After a few minutes of navigating the narrow back alleys we were gaping that are exquisitely beautiful apartment. The final balcony overlooks the entire harbor and set up on the wall of a third century Roman palace!
Tom had kept everyone’s expectations low about the accommodations and everyone was suitably blown away. After enjoying the view and getting our bearings, we set about the task of finding somewhere to eat. The first two recommended locations were either closed or too busy so we went to Tom’s recommendation which was immediately in the center of town. Once again our meal was lovely and affordable and we enjoyed Split in the night time even more than during the day.
Somehow seeing the palace with its narrow alleys, high walls, and open squares packed with visitors and lined with an impossible number of cafés and restaurants, made it even more enjoyable. Or maybe it’s just the fact that we were returning to a familar place rather than arriving for the first time that made our visit so pleasant.
Once again we hadn’t finished our dinner until nearly 11 and by the time we made it back home to our apartment it was practically midnight. Although based on the pulsing sounds from the bars and cafés along the river, the main promenade of split, it seemed that the town was showing no signs of letting up.
That was no problem for us as we closed the shades, put in earplugs, and began to sleep our last night in Croatia.
Along the way we had spent some time reflecting on our truly amazing four weeks. Paris, St. Malo, London, Ljubljana, The Julian Alps, Trieste, Opatijia, Plitivice, Trogir, Split and Vis. Everyone had something good to say about all of our locations and they were all spectacular in their own right. It was especially nice to share the experience with friends in London and Croatia.
There was no clear winner but the trip overall was rated an A+ with great weather, great scenery, great food, great friends, welcoming inhabitants and a high quantity of English spoken, which makes travel so much easier.
Over the years we have discovered that 4 weeks is just about the amount of time we can handle on our long trips. We’ve done six weeks in the past and it just feels a little bit too long. We’re all ready for a couple of lazy weeks on the Cape visiting with friends and lounging around.
Summer 2019, it’s been a good one!