Barbara's travels continue 2018

The final days of the tour were jam- packed with fantastic places to visit, incredible scenery and delicious tastings of wine, seafood and local meats and cheeses. Add to that some perfect weather and good company and you can't go wrong. The journey from Split to Dubrovnik, 280 km on great roads, was stunning and full of variety, starting with views of Croatia's highest peaks, over 1750 metres, and then descending into one of the greenest, lushest and most fertile areas of the country. Currently, although the roads are magnificent almost everywhere, to get to Dubrovnik it is necessary to cross the border into Bosnia Herzegovina and drive around the coast for 30 kilometres. The Chinese are apparently funding a new bridge across the narrowest part of the inlet so that in years to come, there will be no need to pass into another country. This will mean certain bankruptcy for the many restaurants and hotels in BH. It is a very beautiful area so perhaps visitors will still go there

It felt strange leaving the hotel on my own and heading across the bay to my new accommodation in a simple, but super friendly B and B. Shared bathroom, breakfast in the room and a small shared balcony with garden view. It is perfect. I enjoyed the luxurious places we stayed in on tour, but honestly feel at home here. I am very close to the pier, so I quickly found the little boat for my three island tour. It is to the left of this photo, taken in Lopud. The all day tour was great value for 39 euros, with visits to three islands , lunch on board and an open bar.  The weather was perfect with virtually no wind, and apart from when I was walking up hills, the temperature was really pleasant and the skies clear, sea calm! First stop was the little island of Kolocep. I actually walked across it and back, not really getting great views, but I did find this lovely church in the middle of nowhere. Next stop was a more picturesque island, larger than the first, Sipan. We stopped at  a very sm

Why start the Split blog with an ATM? Well, as the guide explained, there is an epidemic of ATMs here in Split and Trogir. In Split alone, there are over 50 machines, with more springing up weekly! They can be found in virtually every street, on street corners, anywhere where there is space for someone to rent them out! How lucky we were to be in Split when no cruise ships were in. Apparently there are over 300 per year and the number is set to increase. We thought we had problems in Akaroa with 70. It seems to me that something must be done to curb numbers, but I guess the hundred plus cafes which line most of the streets and alleys in Split, would not exist without them.  Tourism is booming here and Airbnbs are opening all over the city, even in the city walls ( little windows in historic walls!) Much of this ancient city dates back seventeen centuries. It has been torn down, rebuilt, remodelled and repaired and a living museum has been created within the magnificent walls of the Di