We awoke early and took a day trip to Krka National Park, about an hour north of Split. Wow, what breathtaking waterfalls await at this pristine park! We enjoyed the waterfalls almost all to ourselves for an hour before more visitors trickled in. Besides the picture-perfect natural scenery, it was entertaining to watch all the Instagram photoshoots and modeling going on. I believe I had the most full-coverage swimsuit there, making me feel very much like a mom!!!
The vibe in Split our second night was just right. I am in constant awe of how old our surroundings are and just can't walk around enough to soak it all in. On the other hand, the kids are tired of me pointing out every architectural detail and are more interested in when we are having our next treat! After our sushi dinner (we were all SO happy to have Asian food—first on the trip!!), we ended the night eating gelato on the steps of the Palace while listening to some live music and enjoying some spontaneous dirty dancing. It was awesome! To sit on the same steps that Romans soldiers from the year 400 stood on is mind-blowing!!
Fact: Split was a Greek settlement in the 3rd and 4th centuries until the Roman emperor, Diocletian, built his retirement home in 295 B.C. It took ten years to build the Palace, a walled city within a city. Over the centuries, some of the walls and structures have been modified, but the overall footprint remains the same. Its preservation is incredible. Split was conquered by the Venetians in 1420. After the fall of Venetian rule in 1797, Split was ruled by the Austrians, and briefly by the French, before it became part of the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats and Slovenes established in 1918.