Roadboy in Croatia - Days 1-3
Croatia was pretty much unknown to me prior to this trip. But every time I mentioned my intention to travel there friends all volunteered how much they or friends had loved traveling there.
Sort of like Portugal, Croatia has become a hot spot for travel. And it is easy to see why with its pristine beaches, great food and spectacular examples of legacy architecture. It is also pretty easy on a traveler's budget.
I was also warned though that it is very hot in the summer and that its top destinations (such as Dubrovnik) are overrun with tourists June, July and August.
So scheduling a bicycling trip for late September / early October on the Islands of Brac and Hvar seemed like a perfect introduction to the country.
Day one began with a visit to Croatia's second largest city Split. Split is a thriving modern city with a picturesque Old City located at waters edge. It has lots of energy. Seemingly everywhere you go there is an urban soundtrack complete with young hipsters and pulsing music.
Waterfront Old Town Split
The Waterfront Farmers Market
The first stop for most visitors is the palace that Roman Emperor Diocletion built in the fourth century for his retirement. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the building is the centerpiece of the waterfront. And, like seemingly every historic site in Eastern Europe, the palace was used as filming site for Season 4 of Game of Thrones.
Music is Performed in Diocletion's Palace at Night
Diocletion's Palace
In th morning before leaving for Trogir (pronounced trogeer)I hiked up the stairs of Marjan HIll to enjoy the spectacular views of the Split waterfront.
The Views From Marjan Hill
Day Two I took a water ferry from Split Harbor to nearby Trogir to rendezvous with the bicycle touring company.
Looking Back at Split From the Ferry to Trogir
Approaching Trogir
Day Three we began the tour with a ferry to the island of Brac (pronounced "Bratch"). We got fitted for our bikes, took a short warm up ride to get the bugs ironed out, unpacked in our lovely modern hotel and then convened for the trip briefing and finished the day in the mountain village of Dol with a hearty Peka welcome dinner.
Making Traditional Peka
("cooking under a bell")
Peka may be focused on one meat (a lamb peka is common), a combination of meats (a meat peka with lamb, veal and chicken) or seafood (octopus, etc.). In with the meat goes vegetable and some seasoning and then it is overed with a metal dome that is loaded with hot coals. When it is done everything is moist and fall-off-the-bone tender.
Finished Meat Peka
Roadboy's Travels © 2018
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