Split

We travel today south towards Split, stopping for a swim stop on the way. The clouds and wind have rolled back in so we hesitate to get in this time! I can now say I swam in the Mediterranean, so I stay on board and watch others brave the cold.

We enter Split after lunch and enjoy a short guided tour of Split at 3 PM. The main attraction here is Diocletian’s palace, which is not nearly as old as some of the other buildings we have seen along the way, however, is incredibly impressive. We wander around the palace, now a lively market area, and view some bits of the original foundations, as well as the main palace entrance, the last structure still standing. It is amazing to know you are standing inside something 1700 years old, and so fascinating to know they really knew how to build things to last. We wander around the courtyard and view the columns, and the mausoleum, which also is one structure still standing inside the fortress, where Diocletian was laid to rest.  It is now used as a church, which is quite ironic as he more than most Roman Emperors hated the Christian faith and had a reputation for being especially barbaric in his treatment of Christians during his rule. 
The rest of the tour is spent circumventing the fortress to view the other gates and some interesting statues. We spend the rest of the evening chatting, wandering shops, eating delicious food, and enjoying live music in the courtyard.

We spend our last night on the boat and disembark in the morning to head for the airport around 9.