Split
Discover the amazing history of Split, a city that grew within a Roman Emperor’s palace, and its Jewish community, hidden inside its walls.
We visit all the important sights that are both stunning and have a historic and cultural significance for the development of the city and the Community. In fact, the general tour of Split cannot go without mentioning the role that the Jewish Community has played in the cultural and economic development of the city. The first synagogue of Split, most likely dating from Roman times, was destroyed in a great fire in 1507. Soon after that, in another part of the city that later became the Jewish ghetto, a new synagogue was created by combining and converting the second floors of two medieval houses.
The tour continues with the visit to the 1700-year-old Roman Palace.
It is the home of most of the city sights like the Basements, beautiful Roman squares and statues, The Bell Tower, Jupiter’s temple, the former Jewish ghetto, the synagogue, the City Museum and many more. Throughout the Palace there are plenty of details that could keep you occupied for hours. Within few minutes walking distance of the Palace there are a few Renaissance squares, the City Promenade and some interesting markets.
A bit further is the Old Jewish Cemetery, up on the Marjan hill, from where you can view the whole city. It takes about 10-15 minutes to reach it.
Krka I Šibenik
Krka national park is another nature wonder in Croatia that attracts many visitors every year. The karst river, rushing through the sediment rock, with beautiful waterfalls and abundant wildlife are a perfect place for a 2 hours nature walk. After we will visit Trogir and arrive to Split, the second-largest city of Croatia and the largest city of the region of Dalmatia. It lies on the eastern shore of the Adriatic Sea, centred on the Roman Palace of the Emperor Diocletian.
Hvar
The sun always shines in Hvar, the sunniest island in Adriatic and we will bask in its rays from the moment of arrival. Hvar’s location at the center of the Adriatic sailing routes has long made this island an important base for commanding trade up and down the Adriatic, across to Italy and throughout the wider Mediterranean. It has been inhabited since prehistoric times, originally by Neolithic people whose distinctive pottery gave rise to the term Hvar culture, and later by the Illyrians. The ancient Greeks founded the colony of Pharos in 384 BC on the site of today’s Stari Grad, making it one of the oldest towns in Europe. They were also responsible for setting out the agricultural field divisions of the Stari Grad Plain, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In medieval times, Hvar (city) rose to importance within the Venetian Empire as a major naval base. Prosperity brought culture and the arts, with one of the first public theatres in Europe, nobles’ palaces, and many fine communal buildings, making Hvar the perfect setting for a magical walking tour. The most beautiful modernist villas built in the 1930s (many by Jewish architects) are found in the Križni Rat street and we will make a brief stop at Villa Ladany, designed by famous Croatian Jewish architect and WWII veteran, Stjepan Gomboš
Zadar i Nin
In Zadar there is a guided tour of the city which is the center of the region and was the metropolis of Dalmatia region for many centuries. The rich cultural heritage is visible at every turn: The Roman forum which dates to the 1st century CE and the church of St. Donatus 9th century CE – the most famous Medieval basilica and the symbol of the city. The imposing and mighty city walls with representative Port and Land gates are from the 16th century, and there are numerous palaces and villas of former noble families. This is where Jewish merchants and moneylenders once greeted the visitors to Zadar. Great restaurants, coffee shops and galleries bring life to the waterfront and the city centre. Famous, contemporary creations are the Zadar Sea Organ, and “The Greeting to the Sun” light installation. Not to be missed! Zadar is a place where Adriatic ancient history, bubbling present and thrilling future mix perfectly in a seamless package. Here, the historic peninsula hosts the famous, modern-day work of artistic wonder The Sea Organ – a perfect background music for “the most beautiful sunset in the world”, as claimed by no other than Alfred Hitchcock. It was a bittersweet evening, the guests remarked as they evoked the indelible memories acquired through this journey and the inevitable farewell looming a day or two ahead.
Trogir I Klis
Dubrovnik
Today you have a whole day to enjoy this magical town. After breakfast we will take out our sandals for an unforgettable walking tour through Dubrovnik’s Old City, especially its Jewish part. Jewish merchants from Albania are mentioned in the local archives as early as 1368. After the Spanish expulsion in 1492, Dubrovnik became an important transit center for refugees travelling to Balkan cities under Turkish rule. Jews were allowed to settle in Dubrovnik and were given customs privileges to encourage transit trade. Jews dealt mainly in textiles, silk, wool, leather, and spices. They were allowed to live inside the walls in 1538, but in 1546 a ghetto was established in a small street (still called the Jewish street) enclosed by walls, and the gate was locked at night. Our visit to the Jewish museum, located in the second oldest Sephardic synagogue in Europe will be an opportunity to truly travel back in time. The well-preserved Jewish cemetery, on our way, contains 200 gravestones, including that of Rabbi Jacob Pardo, who died there in 1819. Embracing the sunset on our walking tour continuing through Stradun, we will encircle the millennia long story of Ragusa and its Jews. Seen from the vantage point of the famous city Walls, Dubrovnik will appear as if covered with a golden, sunset dew… a magical prelude to the effervescent life it gains once the sun comes down.
Plitvička jezera
A trip to Plitvice lakes National park is usually one of the highlights on anyone’s visit to Croatia. 16 lakes, numerous waterfalls (how many will you count?), a pleasant walk along the lakes in the lush European forest, endless “Kodak moments”, local food on the road. The drive takes us through some of the most beautiful landscapes and cleanest rivers of Croatia. We disembark in the morning, and take a bus ride to our next stop – Plitvice Lakes! Topping all the lists when it comes to natural wonders, this UNESCO protected National Park is a fascinating maze of both flora and fauna. Its 16 terraced lakes, joined by waterfalls, extend into a limestone canyon with walkways and hiking trails winding around and across the water. And as of recently, it also hosts an extremely rare form of life– freshwater medusas! The several hours we spend here hiking lasts for a lifetime of indelible memories. Have your cameras ready!
