What a spectacular hotel, ultra modern and 7 min boat ride away from old city. We went in around 5, walked around until we found the seaside bar Buza 2. Got waterfront seats for wine. Pizza dinner at Oliva. Boat back at 8:15 for good night sleep.
Sun 9/20 rain predicted so rain gear and umbrella for 10 am bus to meet our walking tour guide. Great hour and half informative walk thru old town. There was that hour of rain and windiness tore up Laura's Mucha. 200 Kuna tip! (Kuna 7 to $1) lunch on terrace Kuvana Dubrovka. Pleasant temp, no rain and hung out.
Shopping walk around town and checked out dinner options. Ice cream at 5 followed by 2 km walk around city wall where my second camera battery died! Rain on horizon drove us to covered nearby terrace Zvonik. Laura disappointed overcooked scampi and my scallops were not what I expected. Did love the location and weather.
Home by K225 taxi and off to bed by 9:30 for big sleeps that continued after breakfast next morning!
Mon 9/21. Another fine hotel breakfast, included w many fine selections. Rushed out to take advantage of lighting to get some more city shots. Like how many do we need? Naps until 1 pm? Good for Laura who feared cold onset.
During these days almost daily communications w AndreaQ as Connie is fading. So very sad to witness from afar.
Walked into town along the waterfront. Took the cable car to Srd mountain top for spectacular city views and war museum.
Back in town for 7:30 dinner on terrace at Starla Mundo. Beautiful nightview and our finest dining experience.
9/23 Wed.again late start. Another glorious extended breakfast on terrace just in time to beat the 11 am closing. Laura on the 'beach' and me in the pool for sun and exercise. Pickup at 3:15 for 4 pm ferry to Hvar (G'war...). Smooth ride arrived after 7 Pm. Met by hotel Adriana staff for bags. Nice stroll to hotel, unpack, redress and walk to Pizza behind church at bus station. Alviz, cozy, local and good thin crust.
9/24 Thu. Morning news of Connie's death. So far and yet so near. Think about flying over for Sat service but too complicated from here and difficulty in changing tickets.
We're not pleased with our back room arrangement as no water views available. Late breakfast with rain and storm outside. Super buffet w homemade butters, yoghurts et al. Went into 4th floor bar-lounge overlooking harbor for leisurely sit and lunchtime Prosecco. Prepped for 4:45 massage. Rain free evening and off to dinner at Giaxa. Excellent choice but our Croation special fish dinner filled with hunks of bony fish proved challenging. A good wine, no desert and home to bed.
Impressions of Hvar at night
9/25 Friday. Up early, late breakfast, walked around old town to post office for long wait & confusion. Next the STAIRS (Dalmatia definitely the land of stairs!) to the fortress above town.
Evening walk to end of town, sea glass successful search, church visit and a sunset dinner at Gariful next to Carpe Diem at end of Riva quai.
r9/26 Sat. Early up, late breakfast? Putzed around town until ferry departure for Split at 1 PM. About hour ride, met by JayWay guide and lead to our nearby hotel Vestibul inside Diocletian Palace. Very cool. Only 7 rooms, modern, fine attentive service and singers in the courtyard every hour?
At 4 met our guide Ivan Peca who ran us around for two hours to visit the many sights, most located in palace and later outside the walls and into the medieval adjoining city district. Wonderful tour through palace basement, cathedral and many Roman structural remains. Interesting that Diocletian had the palace build for his voluntary retirement as Roman emperor, had it built in 10 years by 10,000 slaves 1700 years ago to remain as one of the most complete structures of the Roman era.
Dinner back to pizza. Had best ever at Galija! Maybe back tomorrow? More grilled vegetables and pizza Margarita. Strolled back under full moon through friendly charming neighborhoods.
9/27 Sun. Up early for tea at 6:30 and nearly missed 10 am breakfast deadline. Went to Green Market, a true farmers market where locals bring few pieces of today's harvest. Poverty is evident.
On to the art museum. Beautiful collection ranging from 13th century to modern. Long visit and coffee in lively museum bar. Next 3 mile walk along the harbor to Mestrovic sculpture museum. Built by the artist in 1939 with sea view. Long walk back w cocktail stop and beautiful sunset on the Riva. Home to Vestibul and at their recommendation macaroni dinner at Makarun in cozy corner on a tiny square.
9/28 Mon. Early risers expansive delicious breakfast and T off to climb church tower, Laura shopping. Wow, tricky! Dark, huge 16" Roman steps up tower with see- through ultimate scary heights. Nice views but so windy feared I'd be blown off the top.
Later bought Paul & Shark weather jacket to prep for colder Italy. Saw fish market en route. Laura nearly Bo get Birkenstocks! Our ride ar 1:30, we're early so go to ethnographic museum. Sensational building next door. Free hotel entry, high terraces w great views and first photo of our Vestibul hotel. Airport ride w nice fellow who could be our guide next trip Andrei.
Now boarding. My Liitle One on Zanex. Our Dalmation holiday completed. Off to Rome on Croation Air, then onto Torino to visit with Andrea and the children,.