Final Port Call - Split, Croatia

South Entrance to Diocletian Palace
Split, Croatia
May 22, 2024

Our final port of call for our cruise was Split, Croatia. We had a light schedule with a scheduled three-hour tour of Diocletian's Palace and a wine tasting. It was our best excursion of the cruise because it was focused and a small group--six participants. 

Our ship arrived early in the morning to a very busy port and was expeditiously tied up. Chris and I did not have to be ready to go until 8:45 AM which gave us a lot of time in the morning to get ready. 

Duck Botiique
Split, Croatia
May 22, 2024

The tour of the palace was excellent; one of the best talking tours we have enjoyed on this cruise. We learned a lot about Split, the palace, Diocletian, and the subsequent Christian movement which occupied the palace following the death of Diocletian. 

We walked the medieval village that subsequently occupied the interior of the palace and enjoyed some a cappella music. 

We also found another Duck Boutique amongst the shops of the old town. We had also seen one in Dubrovnik. Amazing! Ducks! Who knew?

Croatian White Wine
Split, Croatia
May 22. 2-24

Of course the highlight of the morning was the wine tasting of local Croatian wines. They were excellent and I would like to have brought some back with us, but the suitcases are already full and wine is heavy. 

The wine tasting was really one of the highlights of the trip, probably due to the fact that we were in a group ion six and had some access to the staff for questions and discussions of the wine. As we departed the wine shop a group of about 25 were preparing for a tasting. I am sure they did not receive the same level of service that we enjoyed. 

Split is a very enjoyable city and a place that we definitely need more time to explore. 

Done with the wine tasting about noon, Chris and I found a gelato shop and enjoyed a cold delight. Then we explored Split a bit more before heading back to the ship. 

The view of the Adriatic Sea from the ship was stunning. We were invited to a private sail away party on the helicopter pad on the forward deck as the ship departed the quay and headed off into the Adriatic for Venice. It was cool and windy, but very enjoyable to get a few of the ship that most passengers never enjoy. Tomorrow is a sea day, allowing us to get packed and everything prepared for the final portion of our journey--time in Venice thence to Rome and finally Miami on Tuesday. 

I find it hard to believe we are winding down with only a few days remaining on this complicated and aggressive vacation. The cruise portion was always the easiest once we boarded the ship. Soon it will be back to my planning to complete the final days. But, we have one full day remaining on the ship to enjoy. 

Panoramic View from our Veranda
Split, Croatia
May 22, 2024

We were blessed with great weather and are looking forward to the weekend in Venice!

-- Bob Doan, Celebrity Constellation in the Adriatic Sea headed for Ravenna, Italy