These massive walls have defended against centuries of conquests. Beautiful squares are filled with flowers, food and music. The medieval towns along the Dalmatian coast of the Adriatic have been the fantasy settings for the Game of Thrones. And over centuries of history, the games have been all too real.
Every cruise along Croatia’s coast visits Dubrovnik and maybe Split, so why not get more adventurous and choose an itinerary that includes Sibenik, Rovinj or Hvar? The destinations being discovered by increasing numbers of cruise ships and each jewel-box port has its own character and centuries of history.
But with so many options, which itinerary should you choose?
Split is a spectacular example of how modern life can fit into the ruins of an ancient city. Its narrow lanes and cobblestone streets within ancient walls of white limestone and glaming marble are UNESCO-protected inspiration that some things could actually last forever.
The massive Diocletian’s Palace built more than 1600 years ago by Roman Emperor Diocletian has become a touristy community of guest houses, shops, galleries, bars and, restaurants that fit comfortably within medieval buildings. It was used as a backdrop for filming of the Game of Thrones and in season four, the palace basements were used as the setting for the dungeon where Daenerys keeps her dragons.
Outside the walls is a lively daily market with stalls piled high with everything from fresh produce to replica Roman gladiator spears (don’t try packing them on your carry-on for the flight home, though)
Split’s known for its beaches, although they’re ultra- crowded in high season. Bacvice , the nearest city beach is sandy and shallow and lined with cafes and clubs. Another popular beach Kastelet is rocky and also lined with clubs that have loudspeakers with the accent on loud. Still, it’s scenic and a short walk from the town center and it attracts a local crowd. To find a more mellow scene, consider a cab ride to Trstenik beach, which is maintained by the Radisson Blu Hotel and has loungers and umbrellas for rent.
Who visits: Celebrity, MSC, Norwegian, Oceania, Royal Caribbean, Viking, and Windstar
Rovinj is a city that while built to keep invaders away, is so beautiful, it’s always been a welcoming attraction for visitors.
Pronouced row-veen, the old town was originally its own separate island whose streets all lead upill to the main church of Saint Euphemia. Everything facing the sea was designed to ward off invaders, with narrow passages and staircases that have abrupt angles that would be tough to climb wearing armor. Once inside, though it’s beautiful stone houses that have become stores and boutiques. Its open air market is famous throught the region and its wine and truffles are international delicacies.
The spectacular church that dates to 1725 features a bell tower that’s a copy of the Campanile of San Marco in Venice. You can climb the wooden stairs to the top of the tower, for agorgeous view of the city’s terra cotta roofs. However, it’s a challenge, particularly for those with vertigo or breathing issues.
Who visits: Explora Journeys, Sea Cloud Cruises, SeaDream Yacht Club., Silversea, Star Clippers and Windstar Cruises.
Sibenik is one of the largest towns on the Dalmatian coast but it’s a comparitive newcomer, founded in the ninth century. But it’s seen volumes of history since then. It began as the royal town of Croatia’s king and was later a key trading center of the Venetian empire. It’s been through innumerable threats and occupations, including being heavily damaged by Yugoslav and Serb attacks in the Croatian War of Independence in the early 1990s.
Now beautifully restored, it’s a pleasant city for strolling or tuk tuk touring. Fun fact: Šibenik became the first city in the world with public street lighting in an 1895 test of Croatian-born Nikola Tesla’s alternating current electrical generating system.
An intriguing day trip is to one of the olive graoves in the surrounding coungtryside, where you can do lunch tastings that demonstrate the wide range of pressings and styes. Some believe the first olives were planted during the Bronze Age when ancient Histri tribes inhabited the area, but there’s also evidence olive trees have been here even longer. Cheers.
Who visits: Azamara Cruises, Sea Cloud Cruises, Star Clippers,, Seabourn and Viking .
Hvar has been a strategic port with a history that goes all the way back to 3500 BC and it has a history of regular battles forsupremecy. Due to its strategic flocation in the center of the ain maritime route, it was a key trading port for Greeks, then Romans Croats and Venetians
Today it’s particulary known for ladendar and romsmary. The oil is extracted from the flower spikes and used in perfues and also has anti-spasmotic and calming properties and is also used for wound treatment. Another local discovery is that lavendar works as an insect repellant.
Who visits: Emerald Cruises, Explora Journeys, Sail Croatia, Sea Cloud Cruises and Windstar.
Korčula is sometimes called Little Dubrovnik because it’s also enclosed by thick medieval walls and entered through soaring stone gates. Smaller luxury vessels can dock directly at the West Pier, while larger ships must anchor offshore and tender passengers to the East Dock, right at the edge of the fortified walls.
Growing powerful during nearly four centuries as part of the Venetian empire, the town of narrow lanes became a showplace of palazzos featuring carved lion statues, and elaborate balustrades
If you met Marco Polo here as a child would you believe his stories of a fantastic journey to the Orient? His actual birthplace has never been actually documented and Venice claims him as well. But his family name has been traced to this island and a small stone house on a narrow street has become the Marco Polo birthplace and museum honors the legendary traveller.
Must-sees also include the town’s central Gothic cathedral dedicated to St. Mark, renowned for its ornate honey-colored façade, rose window, and a soaring bell tower you can climb for panoramic island views. Be warned, the climb is a tiring feat on a hot summer day. Nearby is the fifteenth-century Gabrielis Palace that has become the town museum tracing Korčula’s development from an ancient Greek colony to a fortified Venetian trading center.
Who visits: Azamara, Emerald Cruises, Hapag-Lloyd, Seabourn and Sea Cloud Cruises.
Fun fact: Croatia, whose area is smaller than West Virginia, boasts 300 miles of coastline that’s studded with at least 600 islands—more than there are in Greece.
And one more fun fact: Dalmatians., the unmistakable spotted dogs that gave their name to this eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea and became media heroes in a Walt Disney movie 101 Dalmatians are favorites as guards and hunters in homes. You may have to hunt them down on your shore visit, though because by day they’re more liketly to be napping on door steps and the back of stores.
Story by Wallace Immen, The Cruisington Times
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