7 days, 7 adventures! Back in: Split, Croatia

Well we made the jump across the pond about a week ago - and a busy week it's been! 

Leaving Vancouver, BC is never one of our favourite things, but arriving in Split, Croatia definitely is! So its always a bit of a bittersweet trip! Except this time...when many of our friends & family are due to arrive in a just a few short weeks to celebrate....our wedding! 

That's right you may remember us mentioning a while back that we are getting married this summer in beautiful Split!  Only a month or so away now, and still so many preparations to do!  We did manage to squeeze in a bit of fun our first week back amongst it all!

A send-off from one of my favourite people, my little cousin!
And what a sweetheart she is!!! 

A fully stocked fun pack for our 
24hr trip over!!!! 

A day trip to the City of Omis, Croatia - 30 minute drive from Split 

A day spent on the beaches of Markarska Riveria - a popular destination for locals & tourists.  Only a 50 minute drive from Split!  And for you Europeans - 45kms. 

Cooling off in one of the many cafes lining the Makarska promenade!

Back in Split - dinner at one of our favourite spots - Dalmatino Here an appetizer calamari salad.  Absolutely delicious!

Newest addition to the family!

A day picking fresh, organic peaches in the hills of Podstrana - 10km out of Split.  You North Americans, its about a 15minute drive!

And a road trip to the capital city of Zagreb.  Pictured here is the National Theater. 

And now we're back on this beautiful Dalmatian coast, ticking things off the errand list in Split as the wedding approaches!

Hope you're all enjoying your summers...wherever you may be!

xo

CROATIA

We had a few posts before how Croatia is becoming a more and more popular tourist destination! Here is more evidence, check out what the Huffington post has to say!!

xo

CROATIA IN DIFFERENT VIEWS & DIFFERENT PLACES

Here are a few pictures of Dalmatia in Croatia with views of a few different places...

View of Stari Grad on island of Hvar

View of Split from Gornja Podstrana - Split is preparing for sleep - When Split is going to sleep - Vancouver is waking up :) - you see, they are like brothers, they are taking care of each other :) - Let's Split Vancouver

Ivan's grandfather's car!  VW Bug (Buba) 
- this car will drive forever - has over 800,000 km!

Beautiful stone house in Gornja Podstrana

City of Omis - 30 km from Split

Opatija, a small city at the northern tip of the Adriatic Sea in Istra, Croatia

City of Supetar on the island of Brac

Omis - a road cutting through a cliff, this is the route to the city of Radmanove Mlinice

Podstrana - #1 place in the world :)

Popular beach Ovcice in city of Split - beautiful!

View of island Brac from the island of Hvar

Supetar Riva (promenade) - island of Brac

The beach Zlatni Rat in the city of Bol on the island of Brac

:) such a classic car

xo

LET'S MEET MENTALITET

Why do people love Europe so much?

The idea to write about a country and it's mentality came about this week. Each country has its own mentality, which people either like or they don't! When you go traveling, how do you pick your destination? Why do you go?  Because you like visiting a new city, meeting new people, experiencing a new culture, relaxing and taking a break from the daily grind & work, or some other reason! Why do you like a country?  What makes it appeal to you more than another?

Everyone in this world is different; some live for their job & working 12h per day, some like winter sports, some like water and water activities like swimming, sailing & fishing, some like traveling for fun, or traveling for business....each of us is different!

But there is one thing that connects us all!  PASSION & EMOTION!  With these two words we are all connected! Some of us have a passion for sailing, some of us have a passion for working, some of us have a passion for sports, for winter, for summer, some of us have a passion for traveling, and some of us have a passion for partying!

Everyone has passion for something! But its emotions, that connects us all! Connecting us because each passion can be different, depending on each person's likes & dislikes, but the presence of an emotional experience is the same!

Europe has a past. A long & colourful past. A past that has created a certain culture. A culture that breeds passion and emotion. Passion and emotions that you can't see, but that you can feel! Who experiences emotions? People! People have emotions and feelings! People learn how to express their emotions & feelings! This is such an important part of life. In relationships between friends, in sports, a love for a city or place in the world! Why? Its simple, because the emotions are so authentic & passionate! 

That's why people love Europe so much. Because Europe has a past, a culture, a heart and a spirit! People visit Europe because they want to be a part of the buzz, to experience first-hand the passion & emotion that haunts every cafe, every street corner, every major attraction and always, every bus, train & railway station!

Split, the Croatian coastal city in Dalmatia (and a lot of people who have been there, even for only one day, will agree with me!) has a PAST. a CULTURE. a SPIRIT. and a HEART. Each corner of Split is full of locals & tourists all buzzing with passion, with anger, with excitement, with amusement, with joy. All of the feelings co-exist amongst and within each other, and just walking down the promenade or touring the market you can't help get swept up by the authenticity and passion of it all! 

Here is just one example of Split's mentality. The past & culture of this city! Maybe a lot of people will not understand the words in the song, but take a second to watch the video.  Just see the emotion in everyone's faces, the devotion, the love and the passion for Hajduk.

The song is about Hajduk, Split's soccer team, and in the end it is not important how this club will play in the future or how its playing now, it is more about the tradition.  A tradition started and passed on by our elders, our grandfathers, grandmothers, our fathers! And this devotion and tradition to Hajduk is not just about winning, it is more about people who we love and who we respect!

These moments & feelings are the reason we are happy! 

And this is one of the reasons why everybody loves Europe.  All of Europe has a spirit and a heart.  It varies drastically amongst countries, amongst cities, even between small towns. But it is a heart, and this heart is what people like, its authenticity, innocence and presence!

You can check out the song here.

In the video you might notice a donkey!  The donkey is the symbol of Dalmatia.  Dalmatians are famous for their stubbornness & their determination....what was a joke has become a standing symbol of the coastal region.  Sidenote: Donkey's also played an important role in transportation on the coast before cars were invented.  It is these traits that make the Dalmatians unique, entertaining and authentic.  They carve a path and follow it relentlessly, listening to nothing but their heart (this is a key to success). If you want be happy, tune out the noise around you and listen only to your heart but remember to always respect the others around you! :)   

  

By the way: Good luck to the Croatian soccer team at EURO 2012!!!!

xo

HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS.

Let's Split Stories

 

 You must be wondering what is written above??

"I still remember the words

my father always use to say

don't go anywhere my son,

your home is...

....but always love Dalmacija!"

WHERE IS YOUR HOME?

People are always in a rush, buying and then selling houses, moving to a new city for THE job, running away, trying to figure out where might suit them, what they like or don't like!

 But sometimes it is enough to stop, take a minute, breathe in, think and just to ask yourself  'What do I really need, and what makes me happy?' 

And how to figure that out?? To answer such a hard and BIG question?? Likely starting from the past and reflecting on things you've accomplished, things you've tried, places you've visited, people that have made you smile no-matter the situation!

I know sometimes it is hard to find the answer.  The right answer.  The true answer.  Any answer. Some people search for it their entire life. Home. Where you belong.  Whether it be a house, a place in the world, or for some, a person.  Doesn't matter if, when and how you come to it, but finding that answer is important!

Some say "Home sweet Home" , or "Everywhere is nice, but at home is the best!" We say 

"Home is where your heart is".

WHAT DOES YOUR HEART SAY? WHERE DO YOU BELONG?

Split with us your stories! We are listening!

xo

MAKARSKA.

Fresh photos from the city of Makarska! Makarska is located between city of Split and city of Dubrovnik.

We have talked about the beauty of Makarska & Biokovo before but here's a few more pictures!

Makarska Riva (Promenade)

Beautiful boat moored at Makarska Riva (Promenade)

I miss driving scooters! The absolute best way to see the Dalmatian coast!

 Makarska 

In the background you can see mountain Biokovo (read more about Biokovo here)

CLEANEST WATER - CROATIA

Reminder:

For everybody who has already decided to go and spend their vacation in Croatia, on the Adriatic coast, one more confirmation that you have made a great decision!  :)

Some more European statistics about how the Adriatic Sea has been rated one of cleanest waters in Europe!

You can take a look here!!!

What do you think?? Is it blue enough? :)

BIOKOVO.

A nice, hot, sunny day - perfect for heading to the beach and spending the day swimming in the refreshing Adriatic seawater or maybe just napping on a lounge chair soaking in the rays! OR maybe today you are not up for another beach day? you want to spend some time exploring, hiking, taking in a new perspective on the Dalmatian coast? maybe you'd prefer more of a day in the mountains? Exploring nature?

                                                               Excellent!!!!

  

Are you traveling down the Dalmatian coast? Maybe close to Split? Perfect. Then take a day, an afternoon, or a only a few hours and head to Mountain Biokovo.  Only a 1hr drive from Split, Mt. Biokovo is close to the small coastal town of Makarska.

Biokovo is one of our favorite mountains in Dalmatia! You probably want to know why right?  In a country full of mountain ranges, both coastal and inland, what makes Biokovo that special? Well, its hazardously windy narrow road to the very top is an exhilarating drive. It's small church at the very top of the cliff is one-of-a-kind.  It's views of the Adriatic Sea & the islands that dot along the coast on one side, with views of the neighbouring country of Herzegovina and hilly countryside on the other, are absolutely unbeatable.  The higher you go, the views just get better and better.  And the drive back down gives you an almost out of body cartoon-ish experience, as if you've been inserted into the most perfect of postcards.  Convinced yet?  Well the best view is at Sv. Jure at a height of 1762 m (5, 780 feet)!  And to help you savour this trip, halfway down the mountain is one of the best restaurants in southern Croatia serving authentic Dalmatian specialties at incredible prices. How about now? Convinced? Thought so.

This is a perfect, off-the-beaten-path, day trip and an excellent stop if you're driving down the coast from Split to Dubrovnik.  And a great excuse to spend a vacation day breathing some fresh air and being active, living the healthy life!

An original, real-stone house on Biokovo

Peeking over the side!

Views of island Hvar & Adriatic

Can you spot the road??

5,700feet - no big deal...!

And a true Dalmatian will always say, "Whats a trip up the mountain without good food and wine?? (tip: don't drink and drive.  and especially don't drink and drive at Biokovo.)

xo