Dalmatian Coast

A friend of mine who grew up in Serbia shared her sweet memories of spending family holidays on the coast of Croatia when she was a little girl. The Yugoslav wars in the 1990s significantly changed the dynamics between these countries, leaving my friend with only mental snapshots from her youth as she hasn’t returned since. However, she enthusiastically mapped out the “must sees” before Ken and I left for the Dalmatian Coast.

Dubrovnik went above and beyond anything we anticipated. It oozed old world charm from every narrow, cobbled lane and took our breath away as we scaled the ancient walls circling the pedestrian friendly city. Red terracotta tile roofs gave the city a distinctive look, almost taking us back in time as we gazed across the landscape. Seeing unrepaired damage from bombs and missiles reminded us, though, that this beautiful haven experienced quite a lot in the not so distant past.

Another rewarding place came on our stop to Split and nearby Salona with its Roman ruins and giant palace remains built for the Emperor Diocletian. The modern city has simply incorporated itself within the old walls of the enormous palace complex. Shops and business now run throughout the passages that Diocletian’s guests and servants once wandered.

Transporting ourselves to an age long ago side by side with fascinating new cultures left us grateful for the childhood memories of my Serbian friend...and we even found a little Ken and Heidi just as intrigued as us.