A Week in Croatia 2004

Travellers: Tano and Caterina

Destination: Croatia

Booked: Through the travel agency we booked a week's flight + half board at the Hotel Medena near Trogir

22 July – 28 July 2004

For lack of time and through inexperience we entrusted ourselves to a travel agency, which suggested a package of flight and half board at the Hotel Medena near the town of Trogir

22 July 2004

The Palermo – Split flight is a few hours late. The transfer takes us from the airport to the hotel, which is about two km from the centre of Trogir. We hired a scooter to get to Split (about 35 km away). This was a huge blunder, considering how dangerous the roads are and how little attention the trucks on the highway paid to our 50 cc scooter. The beaches near Split aren't worth noting, but the town is very nice and well kept. Besides the usual photos, we looked into the possible excursions and the ferry times departing from Split. From the very first evening we realise how badly you eat at this hotel, and we regret not having opted for breakfast only. After dinner we took a walk along the seafront.

23 July 2004

Having hired a car (a Lupo), we decide to reach the Krka waterfalls. The spectacle is magnificent and evocative. Once the walk along the path is over, you arrive at a large open area where you can swim (the water is freezing cold). Before heading back to the hotel we visit the town of Sibenik. In the evening we go to see the lovely Trogir, jewel of the Dalmatian coast and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town's historic centre is surrounded by walls with two ancient gates. On one side a bridge links it to the mainland and on the other a second bridge connects it to the island of Ciovo. The town is full of little places, so we decide to skip the hotel dinner and enjoy some local dishes. We ordered a meat-based menu and were very satisfied.

24 July 2004

After breakfast we decide to reach the Makarska area, about 85 km from Trogir. The sea here is particularly clear. We chose the pebble beaches and the fragrant pine woods a little before the town. On the way back we went to the Cetina area, where we ate in a truly characterful place near the little river. We decide to do the trip to the Kornati islands the next day.

25 July 2004

Early wake-up and departure for the boarding area. The Kornati islands are uninhabited and unfortunately the excursion involves sailing around the islets with only 30 minutes allowed for swimming (a bit little for 5 hours of sailing there and back).

26 July 2004

Departure for Split and boarding at 10:30 for the island of Brac and the town of Bol. This town owes its fame to the wonderful Zlatni Rat beach. The beach is beautiful but crowded, so you risk some farcical scenes. In the afternoon the wind lets the windsurfing enthusiasts show off and forces us to move to the more sheltered parts of the beach.

27 July 2004

We stay on the beach below the hotel and hire a little boat for a short excursion around the area. We find a stretch teeming with sea urchins. Full and content with the day, we go back to return the boat. In the evening we decide once again to head to Trogir and skip the hotel dinner.

28 July 2004

Packing the suitcases and departure from Split airport.

Final thoughts: Croatia also allows freer travel, since there are rooms for rent in every area. Along the various roads it's not rare to see entire families with signs (10.00 € per person). We didn't inspect them, but we certainly weren't happy with the choice of a half-board hotel (too restrictive to be able to get around). The hotel food was terrible, whereas whenever we went to the various little local places we always did very well and spent little. Tano & Caterina tanocognata@libero.it