Podstrana - Split - Omis

I wanted to share some of the highlights from the places we visited in Croatia. Although we only stayed for four nights, we were lucky to explore a few of the surrounding areas.


After extensive research, I decided to book Villa Pinocchio which is in the town of Podstrana. We flew into Split airport and Podstrana was a 30 minute taxi ride away. The hotel kindly arranged a taxi for us at a cost of roughly £30 one way. For our return journey, we actually used Uber and this was only £22.


I'll start of by explaining the area of Podstrana as this was our 'base' in Croatia.


Podstrana

As mentioned before, Podstrana is only 30 mins away from the airport. It is also only a 20 minute bus ride into the main area of Split.


The buses are fairly regular (run every 20-30 minutes) and pretty cheap (roughly £1.20 pp. each way). You can buy a ticket on the bus and sometimes these need validating.


The area of Podstrana is located directly on the Adriatic coast. The beaches are man made and pebbly (so bring your water shoes). The sea was relatively calm whilst we were there and it does gradually get deeper the further out you go (go figure...).



The area mainly has small family run b'n'b's as well as a few larger hotels. One of which is the La Meridien Lav Split which is a stunning five star hotel with it's own private marina for all those super yachts.


The area has a number of restaurants which are mainly seafood or Italian restaurants. There is also a few supermarkets (mainly the Ribola chain) as well as an excursion company which also hires bikes (£8 for six hours).


Overall it is a pretty quiet area but it has everything you'd need for a short break. We found a great place called Beach Bar Lungomare (say hi to Lulu the dog) which sells cocktails by the litre for roughly £12.


The area is great if you want some beach time but are also keen to explore Split centre. If you're heading to the Split area for more than three days then I'd say this could be a good base for you.


Split

Moving onto Split now. Although we wanted to explore the historical area of Split and see all the beautiful Roman ruins, we also wanted more than just a 'city break' hence why we didn't want to stay in a small hotel located in city centre.


The hotels in Split are nice and traditional however there's no beach in Split centre (it's on the sea but only boat trips/ferries) and most hotels don't have a pool. Some people won't mind this but I wanted the opportunity to swim in the sea and cool off in the heat.


We headed into Split one morning and found that within maybe four hours, we'd seen all that we needed to see. Diocletian's Palace is the main place we wanted to check out. We wasn't sure what to expect but it was beautiful. Lot's of little archways and allies led to the main bell tower and cathedral. We paid the £2 to climb the bell tower which dates back to the 13th century.


The views from the top were breath-taking but I must admit, I was a tad scared of the height and the rather low railings.




Split has lots of little bars and restaurants. Again the main cuisine is seafood and Italian. They are also fairly reasonably priced. Of course those directly along the waterfront or in the main square tend to be more expensive but overall we paid £25 for a main meal and a beer/wine each.

I must admit the shopping was not particularly exciting. Thankfully it wasn't full of the usual tourist tat but it also didn't feel like there was anything worth buying (which speaks volumes from the self-confessed shopaholic). We did find lots of stalls selling lavender products and jewellery made from Adriatic coral though.

Most of the excursions leave from Split centre. The boats obviously from the main waterfront and other trips from the various offices. What I found very odd was when booking an excursion, they do not pick you up from your hotel. I've always been used to being picked up directly from the hotel and dropped back so this was a surprise to me.

If you only had two nights in Split then I'd say to stay in Split centre. That way you can soak up the atmosphere at night (apparently they have live music in the main square) and simply wander around and take it all in. However, if you have a longer trip and like the beach then Omis should be your choice.

Omis

I had briefly read about Omis on Trip advisor however it was only a place we would visit if we got the chance to. We loved Omis so much that we ended up visiting it twice during our stay.

Omis is located 41 km from Split airport so would take roughly an hour to get to. On our first trip to Omis, we decided to hire bikes and cycle there. It was only 13 km from Podstrana and it took roughly 45 minutes to get there. The second time we opted for the bus which took about 30 mins (not much quicker than the bike with all the stops!).

As soon as you see the rocky mountains against the green gorge and blue sea - it's heaven. Omis has various shops, restaurants and bars. It has a lot more to offer than Podstrana.


There are two Forts in Omis. Mirabella Fortress is probably the first one you'll see. It sits pretty overlooking the town. You look up and think it's nice and easy to get to. It is quite steep and getting right to the top did require a harsh talking to (they seriously do not know anything about health and safety here) however the views were worth it. It cost roughly £2 to explore.


The second Fort, Starigrad Fortress, is a sneaky one. I didn't actually see it at all to begin with. Peter did and wanted to find it. After cycling (ok part cycle and a lot pushing the bikes up hill - thanks Peter) we came to a tiny sign staying Fortress. We locked the bikes up and set off on foot.

After walking up steep steps for about 100 meters I looked up and realised just how high we had to go, the air promptly turned blue. After giving myself another harsh talking to, we continued on. The hike was approximately 3km to the top and I believe 300 meters high.

Although it was blistering hot, it was really worth the effort. We of course had to pay an entrance fee (only £1.50pp) and were greeted by a lovely man who also sold water (thank god as I was starting to ration our supply).


Other than the lovely (albeit hard) hikes, Omis also has a stunning gorge where you can rock climb and raft down the river. It also has the most stunning coast line. There is another large island opposite so the sea is incredibly calm and also sandy. You could walk out pretty far before it got deeper so this made it a lot safer for children.


Omis had a traditional holiday resort feel to it but without the tacky tourist. A lot of the people there were locals or seem to be from Germany and Italy. I feel bad saying this but thankfully there wasn't large families of noisy Brits.

I would happily visit Omis again. I think the kids would have an amazing time playing in the sea and enjoying the gelato.

Croatia had been on my 'country list' for a few years now and I definitely wasn't disappointed. I always assumed I would do a sailing trip around Croatia and although we did a boat trip to the blue lagoon and a lovely little island which name escapes me, I wasn't that impressed.

Having been on quite a few different boat trips on holiday before, I have been spoilt seeing some gorgeous places and snorkelling in some great locations. Maybe other places in Croatia are better for sailing than Split but either way it was a great experience.

Biking, hiking and strange creatures

Our first holiday together has been wonderful so far. 

Croatia is an amazing country. The countryside is beautiful, a mix of dryness with the limestone rocky mountains and the stunning crystal clear Adriatic Sea. 

The people have been very friendly so far. The area we’re staying in, Podstrana, is right on the sea but doesn’t feel like a typical tourist destination. 

There are lots of small family run b n b style accommodation. It’s much nicer than commercial areas with huge hotels. 

We’re staying at Villa Pinocchio. I loved the name of the hotel and it’s about 15 meters from the sea - bliss.

We explored Split yesterday. We took the bus into the centre and discovered the area. I wanted to see Diocletian’s palace and it didn’t disappoint. 

Wandering through the small archways exploring the hidden treasures Split has to offer was fantastic and (yes I’m going to sound soppy) it’s been even more magical having Peter by my side. 

For years I’ve loved travelling. I’ve enjoyed my own company, I’ve loved my own agenda and answering to only myself however when you have the right person by your side, things just perfectly click into place. 

Peter loves being active, just like me, so we did a great workout on the beach yesterday. One legged squats and far too many hip exercises. 

After yesterday’s workout, I had the grand idea of hiring bikes. I wanted to visit Omis which is 13km away from our hotel. I figured it would be a nice flat ride. My god it was hard work. 

I’m used to riding my lovely light carbon fibre Specialize bike. Not this mammoth uber heavy mountain bike. Needless to say, my butt is sore. 

The cycle along the coast was lovely and didn’t take too long (maybe 40 mins). When we got to Omis, it was breathtaking. 

The mountains were huge and so exposed. Set against the beautiful blue waters in the sea and green waters in the canyon.

We wanted to visit the Fort. We realised there were two. After getting lost multiple times, we set back along the path (I may have told Peter is was wrong before).

After abandoning the bikes, we headed along a rocky path. I then looked up and saw the Fort. It was bloody miles away up high. I may have turned the air as blue as the sea - oh dear. 

However, being the stubborn cow that I am, I persist and despite my dodgy foot (soft tissue damage thanks to pole), it took us about an hour to get to the top. I made a joke that we better not have to pay to look around. We did have to pay, 150kn (about £1.75).

There was a little room at the top with a lovely man called Neina. He has to make that journey each day that he works. He was telling us he sometimes sleeps overnight, I don’t blame him. 

After taking in the magical views, it was time to head back down. Thankfully this was a lot quicker than coming up. Although it was a little more risky as the stones were marble and slippery. 

By this point it was around 3:30pm and we were starving. I definitely think we worked for our lunch so we stopped at a little restaurant in Omis. We ordered what we thought was a burger and chips but it turned out to be a more traditional dish, it was lovely. 

After lunch it was time to head back to our hotel. After the cycle here and the little hike (plus yesterday’s squats) my legs and butt were a little tender. 

Surprisingly it didn’t take too long to get back. Although it was later in the day, I couldn’t wait to head into the sea for a swim. 

Because there were thunderstorms overnight, the sea was a little murky but it was still beautiful. 

In the evening, we decided to walk along to the marina and we were admiring the incredible yacht’s when I noticed something black swimming in the sea. At first I thought it was a type of jelly fish, then maybe a squid and then after an extensive google search we discovered it was called a sea hare. 

These sea hares are native to the Caribbean so we have no idea how it came about to be in the Adriatic Sea. 

I can’t believe how quick the holiday has gone. This was always just a quick break (four nights) but I’m sad how fast it’s going. 

We’ve got a boat trip booked to explore the blue lagoon and some other islands so that’ll be fun. It’s been nice spending time with Peter and exploring country 49 together. 

Country 49 coming up...

I've been having holiday withdrawal symptoms. I've been back from Australia for nearly two months now without leaving the country. We booked to go to Croatia back in March (bold after only being together for about a month) and it's come around so quick.


Croatia has always been on my list of places to travel to. I always assumed I would end up doing one of the sailing trips around all the islands. I nearly booked a boat trip last year but I decided to book a slightly larger boat trip instead, the Royal Caribbean cruise.


I've seen many gorgeous pictures of Croatia on Istagram. Lots of turquoise seas and cute pebble beaches. And some amazing looking food dishes, plenty of fresh seafood and locally produced wine.


We decided to ease ourselves in and booked a four night stay at the adorable Villa Pinocchio. This is situation about 7km outside of Split and right on the beach.


I love the idea of having the best of both worlds. Being right on the beach, being able to relax in a quieter seaside resort (I have a feeling it'll be similar to Marina di Pisa) but then being  short bus ride away from both Split and Omis.


I understand parts of Game of Thrones was filmed in Split. The stunning Diocletian's Palace is a famous place where filming took place. I'm not a fan of GoT however I do love surrounding myself in history.


Although I'm a huge planner (there's an itinerary and check list for most things in my life), when I'm actually away I simply love wandering around and taking it all in. There's nothing better than wandering around cobbled streets and people watching under the hot sun.


It's been a busy year so far in my life with the new job, the wonderful new man (whom I can't wait to enjoy our first holiday together) and my pole dance competitions. This break came at the best time. However, me being the fool I am managed to full blown kick my pole during training and I now have soft tissue damage to my foot and I'm hobbling around on crutches.


I'm really hoping a few days rest will do the trick and I'll be fine to wander around those cobbled streets. Otherwise it will be a much more different holiday and I won't want Peter having to do too much for me.


Either way a few days in the heat, enjoying Croatia will be just what the doctor ordered.

Travel hacks

I’ve been lucky to travel a fair bit so I thought it might be useful to share some of my travel tips. 

I’ll try and organise them into some logical order but these are things that have just popped up that I thought might be useful to others. 

Pre trip:

• Research properly. Make sure you use tripadvisor.co.uk to view the accommodation. Also the forums are a great place to ask those questions you can’t be bothered to research yourself (like how to get from the airport to your accommodation).
• Use a cashback website to book. I use topcashback.co.uk and I’ve made money simply by spending the money I already planned to spend. They’re simple to use and simply track the purchase through the third parties website. 
• Consider booking directly with the hotel. Sometimes they have perks for booking directly. My recent trip I booked directly and got upgraded to a suite, had access to the lounge for free breakfast, wine and refreshments and received 10% off. Just make sure you compare the costs elsewhere before booking. 
• Always check in online as early as possible. Set a reminder on your phone for when check in opens. That will help you snag the best seat without paying. 
• My only exception to this is if you are flexible with your trip then it might pay to not check in online. I didn’t check in for my return flight home from Dubai with Emirates and because the flight was overbooked I got put on a slightly later flight (one hour later) and I got a free return ticket to Dubai as compensation. 
• Consider using packing bags. I bought some bags from Amazon and it’s so simply to organise so a bag for underwear/bikinis, then day clothes and a separate one for night clothes. It’s a lot easier to find what you need, especially if you’re travelling around and can’t always fully unpack. 
• Consider opening a Monzo bank account. It’s so simple to open and the MasterCard they give you has no fees to use in shops abroad. You can also withdraw up to £200pm in cash abroad. It’s much safer using your card plus you simply put the amount of money you have for spending in it and it’s easy to track your spending on the app. 

Flight:

• Dress appropriately. This seems obvious but planes get cold so I always bring a big scarf with me. Also consider wearing flight socks to reduce your risk of DVT. 
• I do ‘dress up’ to a certain extent to fly but only because I feel better. I love wearing a loose fitting jump suit. It won’t guarantee an upgrade but it certainly looks better than your grubby old leggings and sweater.  
• Don’t use the blankets. I spoke to an air hostesses who explained the blankets are simply repackaged and handed back out. It could be weeks before they’re washed. Can you imagine the amount of germs on them? That’s where your big scarf can double up as a nice clean blanket. 
• For long haul flights, consider bringing your own pillow. Buy a cheap one from Primark and it’s much more comfortable that the tiny ones they give you. 
• I always choose the window seat for long haul flights. That way I can rest my head against the window to sleep plus it’ll be me waking someone up to go to the loo instead of the other way round. 
• Be nice to the check in staff. Nearly all flights I’ve asked if the flight is full, if it’s not then kindly ask if anyone is sat next to you. That extra seat next to you helps so much to stretch out and sleep. 
• Bring a foldable water bottle. I bought some from the pound shop. You can fill it up in the airport and then when you’re on the plane they’re happy to fill it up as it saves you keep asking for a glass of water. 
• Set your watch to the time at your end destination as soon as you board. Try and alternative your sleeping and eating to accommodate the time difference and this should help with jet lag. 

On your trip:

• Try and speak to the locals for the best tips. They know the place much better than any forum. Ask for as many recommendations as possible. 
• Download google maps and download your city map so you can navigate the place without using data. 
• If you’re active, consider going for a jog the first morning you’re in a new place. This is the perfect way to explore the area, work up an appetite for a lovely breakfast and of course be healthy exercising. Plus your google maps offline will help you navigate your way home. 
• Check out groupon to see if there’s any deals where you are. I’ve saved a fortune on day trips and restaurants whilst travelling and using groupon. Just be sure to check availability first. 
• Grab those travel magazines/brochures at the airport. When you arrive and see them, pick them up as they often have a ‘What’s on’ section and lots of money off coupons. 

Travelling is great but it can be exhausting so hopefully some of these tips might help you. 

The Great Ocean Road

For my last full day in Melbourne, I decided to book a day trip to go to the Great Ocean Road. 

I’ve briefly heard about it (not sure where or when though), I was informed it’s the “most beautiful coastal drive in Australia”. I feel like these Aussies like to say everything in ‘their’ city is the biggest/best however it was pretty beautiful. 

I was picked up from my hotel at 7:20am and because I was the only single traveller (there’s a shock lol) I was asked to sit upfront and be co pilot. 

We drove out of the city and within 20 minutes, all the 22 other passengers were fast asleep. That was fine as I was chatting away with Chris, our guide. I got to chat to him about so many cool things. He is a trained snake handler (there was a more technical term but I’ve forgotten), he tried to sell it to me that snakes are more scared of us and he made a valid point that although they are venomous, a human could still easily kill a snake. But he obviously wasn’t trying to encourage that, just simply educate me. 

We stopped along the way at various beautiful spots to stretch our legs and take pictures. I adore being by the water, I find it so soothing and therapeutic. Even the most troubled waters can still be incredibly majestic. 

One of the first stops was at the famous ‘Great Ocean Road’ archway. Chris explained the arch has in fact been rebuilt twice. Once because a lorry driver took it out and another time it was destroyed in a bush fire. He explained to us the process of ‘burn offs’, this is where they do a controlled burn in the area. He explained strangely these processes are needed to allow the environment to thrive. 

My favourite stop was when we stopped to find koalas in the trees. Just driving up we spotted four. We got out of the van and got to walk back down and watch the koalas. I’ve wanted to see them in their natural habitat all of my trip so I was so happy. 

We were informed that they have two thumbs on each paw to allow them to grip the branches better. They also sleep for 20-22 hours a day. They eat so much eucalyptus leafs that it takes days to digest and they don’t get much nutrients from the leafs so they’re constantly tired hence sleeping so much. You’d think they’d switch their diets to something more useful. 

When we got in the van again, someone said there was a spider in the back. I stayed calm thinking it would be little but sadly I was wrong. It turned out to be a Huntsman spider. It was pretty big by my standards however I know they get a lot bigger (I remember seeing a picture of one on a friends honeymoon to the Maldives and it was huge!). After me sinking right down into the footwell of the van whilst begging Chris to stop talking and get it out of the van, it was finally released into the wild. 

After that near death experience (ok maybe a slight exaggeration) it was time to stop for some lunch. We stopped at a great tourist spot called Apollo Bay. It was named after a ship docked in the bay for a few days but never came ashore and simply left. The Aussie are not very creative with naming places. 

Next up was the big stop, The 12 Apostles.  When I booked the trip, I was told everyone has heard of the famous 12 Apostles well apparently I must have snoozed through that history (or maybe geography?) lesson. 

When we got to the stop, the first thing I noticed walking along the path was the sign warning us of venomous snakes - great!

This place was so busy! Lots of people trying to get the best Facebook selfie. When I did manage to find a little spot to look out over the apostles I noticed a slight flaw, I only counted 8. Now I get erosion (I vaguely remember that lesson with Mr. Jones) so I naturally assumed that over time some had crumbled into the sea however Chris informs us that there were only ever 9 to begin with. In fact, they were originally known as Pig and his piglets but decided to rebrand (damn those marketing people) to the 12 Apostles. 

Time was pushing on by now so we headed to our next stop. It was crazy busy so Chris decided to take us to another secret spot. The view was incredible and we had the place all to ourselves which was great. 

We returned to the gorge way in Port Campbell National Park. Chris warned us that this was the spot where we could see a snake. There were three beautiful walks to do. The first was down to a gorgeous cove beach. I’d have loved to swim but we didn’t have much time. 

I did do the other walks however I was stomping around to ensure the ground shook as much as possible. I had my eyes on the look out so much for snakes, it actually kind of hurt. The views over the ocean though were beautiful though. I was still so surprised that the nearest land to us was the Antarctic. 

Because we were in the van for so long, I got to hear lots of cool stories from Chris. He was telling me about his adventure expeditions that he’s done. One was kayaking up one of the longest rivers in Australia solo over six months. I was so impressed with his outlook on life and was very shocked to discover he is only 24. It just goes to show it’s your mindset that dictates what you achieve in life. 

The day was fun but pretty tiring. I wasn’t even driving but being co pilot I felt like I couldn’t snooze. I really enjoyed learning more about Australia. I was lucky to get some time chatting to a local with real life experience. 

I’ve loved my time in Australia. I will definitely be back. I’d love to visit a few other places such as Exmouth, apparently the snorkelling there is better than at the Great Barrier Reef. I was disappointed that my trip was cancelled but you make the best out of every situation. 

Noosa, Sunshine Coast

After my great trip to Moreton Island, it was up early on Sunday to head to Noosa. 

Vicki has planned everything perfectly, I’ve really appreciated it. We stopped off at her parents and we were having a chat about how scared I am of snakes and spiders, they all reassured me that they’ve seen no snakes in all the time they’ve lived here. 

On the way to Noosa, we stopped at a lovely watering hole. It had a nice little waterfall and swings that people were swinging off into the water. 

It was pretty busy with lots of people enjoying the sun and cooling off in the water. Vicki assured me they’d be no anacondas lurking in the water or crocs so  I swung into the water with a little squeal. 

It was so nice and refreshing. We jumped off the rocks (sorry dad) then we were simply chilling in the sun. I looked to my right and there with it’s beady eyes was a snake (a blue and yellow tree snake we found out afterwards). I jumped up, run and screamed so fast. I was literally hyperventilating and crying because of a stupid snake. Everyone else found it highly amusing. 

After that abrupt appearance, it was time to head into Noosa. Noosa is a lovely town on the Sunshine Coast. It has beaches and a river. It was buzzing with lots of families enjoying their Easter weekend. 

We stayed in an amazing Air BnB. It was so clean and had lovely woodland view. I was always keeping an eye out for a koala. 

Monday we had planned a nice coastal hike. It was 10km in the National Park and walked along the edge over looking the sea. 

Along the way I saw so many spiders! And although they were pretty damn big, they were ok as they were chilling in their webs. 

The views were breathtaking and when we got to Hell’s Gate (lovely name), we saw a turtle bobbing its little head out of the water. 

After our little walk (in at least 28 degree heat and high humidity), it was time for lunch and beach. The main beach was nice and busy. The other beach we went to before was infested with bluebottle jelly fish. 

As we were relaxing on the beach, then there was a medical emergency. We’re not quite sure what happened but the man had done something to his neck. I must admit the life guards on the beaches are incredible. They are all so on the ball and professional. 

We decided to try some stand up paddle board (SUP) before heading back. I’ve never tried it before but it was great. You need good balance and I found I was clenching my feet to get some grip which was a bit sore. 

We were going up and down the river but it was pretty busy with boats and jet skis. Every time one went by, it created waves and that was the point I thought I’d fall in but thankfully I didn’t - just lots more squealing. I even managed to do the splits on the board. 

It’s been amazing spending time with Vicki in Brisbane (and surrounding areas). Vicki and Toby have been the perfect hosts. We’ve still got a couple more fun days exploring Brisbane before heading onto the next place. 

Moreton Island

We were up early and heading to Brisbane port all before 7:30am. We’d already walked Toby over the park overlooking the river.

We took the ferry over to Moreton Island. We thought we’d done well with our seats up top and ready to spot some dolphins until a heap of French people decided to stand right in front of us. 

After the hour long journey, we arrived in paradise. Whilst we were waiting to get off the boat, I saw s sea turtle pop it’s head up to welcome us. 

Our first activity was sandboarding. I’d never tried it before so it was a bit scary. After a 25 minute bumpy ride into the ‘desert’, we then climbed these huge sand dunes to then slide face first down to bottom. It was pretty scary!!

After a quick lunch on the beach, it was time for our next activity, kayaking. We had these amazing clear plastic kayaks and paddled over shipwrecks. 

The current was pretty tough but we did well and had a blast. It wasn’t the first time Vicki and I had kayaked before so we felt like pros. 

By this point it was definitely time to cool off and snorkel. We had to wear wetsuits as we were snorkelling over the shipwreck sndparts were pretty sharp. 

We had to pulled out to the wreks on a jetski. This was pretty scary as there were 12 of us holding onto a boogie board whilst being pulled out. The current and jet ski pull made it pretty hard. 

We had been told there was so much to see such as sting rays and even a sea cow. We saw plenty of fish (and not the dating app) but sadly nothing too exciting. 

After all a hectic day, it was time to head back on the ferry. It was such a cool day exploring Moreton island. I found out it is the second largest sand island in the World. 

I’ve had such a great time in Brisbane already and there’s still plenty more to discover thanks to my lovely tour guide.