Victoria's Voyage

Yesterday saw us packing up our bags once again, and this time heading through the gorgeous countryside to the city of Split in Croatia.

Along the way, we had a short stop at a small town called Trogir, to get the opportunity to see another part of Croatia. It’s a small place and there isn’t a lot to do, but it boasts a beautiful harbour and historical narrow streets, and is really just a nice place for wandering round.

But then it was on to our final destination. Arriving in Split, we soon ventured into town to start exploring. As usual, we branched off into our smaller groups and went in search of some grub. There are a hell of a lot of eateries in Split, most offering some kind of seafood option. We ended up settling on a quaint Olive Tree cafe on the waterfront after wandering the streets in search of somewhere we all wanted to go. The food was good and the views relaxing, but honestly it’s the rest of the day that sticks out more.

Split is a very interesting town, full of rich history among its more cosmopolitan areas. Walking down the narrow passageways of the old town, you leave behind the ships and the shopping and instead get a sense of entering another world. It’s a slight maze, but getting a little lost could mean stumbling across a new thing to see.

If you’re a geek in a number of fandoms, look out for a quirky specialty shop within the labyrinth for merchandise including Game of Thrones, Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings.

You can tell Split has been hit by Roman influence, and it also features the seemingly obligatory tall clock tower in its centre. You can walk through a large palace and visit some old ruins, looking over the water and highlighting the stark contrast between old and new that this city offers.

The evening saw our whole group congregating for our final dinner together, hosted in the hills. It was a great, traditional experience as we dined and laughed over meat and wine, while taking in the stunning countryside views.

Then it was on to the biggest party on my trip so far. The music started up and people were singing and dancing as we took our final bus drive together back into town. It was such a buzz, and while it mean saying goodbye to some new friends, it also marked the start of a cool night out.

There are plenty of places to eat and drink around Split, and we visited a bar down a quiet side street to begin. What I didn’t necessarily expect was that there would also be an open-air club with a large stage where we could party an entire night away. If you’re in Split and looking for a good night spot, Inbox seemed to be the place to be.

Enter this morning, a slow start to the final few hours of my time in Croatia. I headed back into town with a few of the girls so we could ascend the clock tower for aerial views of the city, something we didn’t fit in yesterday. The way up is very steep and certainly not suitable for loose flip-flops, those with claustrophobia and those afraid of heights. Still, if you can handle a slightly dicey walk up stone and metal steps, you get a really great view over the city, and at 20 kuna it’s not too expensive either. Just don’t go up right on the hour unless you want to be deafened by the bells!

However, you can also get amazing views from a viewpoint not too far away from the town centre along the waterfront – if again you don’t mind steps! If you’re looking for a cheap and tasty snack after your walk, stop by Buffet Fife on the way back down.

Refreshed and fed, it was time for me to say goodbye yet again, only this time it really was the final farewell. Stopping for a few souvenirs along the way, the hotel awaited my bag collection to take on to the airport. I made this journey in a taxi, as taxi travel, while more expensive than other bus and walking options, is super easy and streamlined in this region. If you’re on a budget, explore other options, but it is certainly the quickest and most convenient way to travel locally.

This trip has been a huge eye opener and a great experience. Take it from someone who’s tried; if you feel anxious about travelling alone but want to get about, don’t discount a solo travel tour. Exploring Budapest on my own was great, but honestly, one of the best parts of this journey was the company that came later on. I did this trip through a company called Contiki, for 18-35 year olds. And I would definitely do a second trip!

Watch this space, and if we were on tour together, I look forward to someday seeing you again! x