Episode 5: Is Croatia Europe's Most Beautiful Destination? 4K

After a restful night at Hotel Batuda in Split, we checked out at 8:00 a.m. and headed into the heart of the city to explore Split’s Old Town. Although our visit lasted only two hours, it was enough to appreciate why this coastal city is one of Croatia’s most treasured destinations. At the centre of Split lies Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the living heart of the Old Town. Built between AD 295 and 305 as the retirement residence of Roman Emperor Diocletian, the palace occupies nearly half of the Old Town and remains one of the most impressive Roman monuments in existence. Unlike many ancient sites, it is still woven into daily life, with homes, shops, restaurants, and cafés operating within its ancient walls. Walking through its narrow stone streets felt like stepping back in time. We explored ancient courtyards, arches, and passageways while learning about the palace’s history. Diocletian was one of the few Roman emperors to retire voluntarily, spending his final years tending vegetable gardens here. Originally designed as a fortified complex with military barracks, temples, and residential quarters, the palace gradually evolved into the unique living monument visitors experience today. After exploring Split, we continued south along Croatia’s Adriatic coastline towards the historic town of Ston. We crossed the 2.4 km Pelješac Bridge over Mali Ston Bay, linking the Croatian mainland with the Pelješac Peninsula. Upon arrival, we stopped for lunch and learned about one of Croatia’s lesser-known treasures. Ston is famous for its defensive walls, often called the “European Wall of China.” Built by the Republic of Ragusa (modern-day Dubrovnik) during the 14th and 15th centuries, the walls stretch more than five kilometres between Ston and Mali Ston. Constructed to protect valuable salt pans, once considered as precious as gold, they remain among Europe’s longest preserved defensive wall systems. The walls climbing across the surrounding hills create a striking landscape. Ston is also famous for its seafood and salt. The town is geographically well-positioned for salt production, and its local saltworks—one of the oldest in Europe—remain operational and are open for visitors today. The bay of Mali Ston boasts a fertile environment for shellfish cultivation, particularly oysters. After lunch in Ston, we resumed our journey to Dubrovnik, Croatia’s most famous coastal city. Upon arrival, we checked into Hotel Akademis Academia before setting out again at 4:20 p.m. for a guided walking tour of Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” Dubrovnik is renowned for its preserved medieval walls, limestone streets, and seaside setting. In recent years, it gained worldwide fame as a principal filming location for Game of Thrones. Dubrovnik’s Old Town served as King’s Landing, with many iconic scenes filmed around its walls, forts, staircases, and ancient streets. Fans can easily recognise locations such as Fort Lovrijenac, which doubled as the Red Keep, and the Jesuit Staircase, featured in one of the series’ most memorable scenes. As afternoon sunlight illuminated the city’s golden stone buildings, our local guide brought Dubrovnik’s history to life. We wandered through centuries-old streets, admired elegant palaces and churches, and learned how the city survived earthquakes, sieges, and centuries of maritime competition to become one of the Adriatic’s great cultural treasures. We had a group dinner in one of the restaurants inside the Dubrovnik Old Town. We had pasta bolognese and cuttlefish ink risotto, known in Croatia as crni rižot (black risotto), one of the most iconic dishes of the nation's culinary tradition. It left me with a black tongue and lips which my friends were laughing about. The highlight of the evening was the optional Dubrovnik Cruise and Dinner aboard the Karaka which we do not want to miss. As we boarded the reconstructed wooden vessel, we were welcomed with drinks and traditional hospitality. We met two Filipino crew members of the Karaka who were serving drinks to everyone on board. The Karaka is a replica of the merchant ships that once sailed under the Republic of Ragusa during Dubrovnik’s golden age of maritime trade. With its towering masts and historic design, stepping aboard felt like travelling back to the Age of Discovery. As the ship sailed along Dubrovnik’s coastline, we enjoyed views of the ancient city walls rising directly from the sea. The gentle breeze, sparkling Adriatic waters, and sunset-lit scenery created a magical atmosphere as the sky turned shades of gold, orange, and pink. The evening combined history, fine food, and unforgettable scenery into a memorable experience. Watching the sunset from the deck of the Karaka while sailing along the Adriatic coast was the perfect way to end another remarkable day on our Croatia & Eastern Delight Tour and one that will remain among our fondest travel memories.