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Two centre historic Split and Biograd Na Moru
Overview
Introduction
This two-centre 10 day itinerary can either be enjoyed with a self drive car or with taxi transfers to the main destinations and then excursions from Biograd Na Moru to the famous National Parks of Plitvice, Krka and Kornati.
This is an opportunity to explore the old city of Split, set, unbelievably, within the Palace of the Roman Emperor Diocletian, a World Heritage site since 1979 and then use the little known coastal resort of Biograd Na Moru as a place to relax and also as a base from which to explore the natural wonders of some of Croatia’s National Parks.
Should you prefer not to take car hire, then the itinerary would include a shared transfer on arrival to the Hotel Marvie, a taxi transfer from the Marvie to Biograd Na Moru and the Hotel Ilirija and finally, a taxi transfer from the Ilirija back to the airport for your departure. Excursions would be booked and paid for locally.
The duration of the holiday can be altered and, especially when car hire is included, more destinations included. Please ask us for a quote.
Itinerary includes:
- Return flights to Split Airport
- 10 day's car hire
- 3 Nights at the Hotel Marvie, Split (Bed and Breakfast)
- 6 Nights at Hotel Ilirija, Biograd Na Moru (Bed and Breakfast)
Agenda
Day 1 - Day of arrival
Once you have collected your car from Split Airport, drive to the Hotel Marvie which will take approximately 35 minutes depending on traffic. The hotel has parking facilities at a charge. The Marvie is a modern hotel situated in a residential area and a 40 or so minute walk to the old town (depending on the route you take). Relax at the hotel and acclimatise. The property has both indoor and outdoor pools and there are fabulous sea views from the outdoor, rooftop pool. The stylish Mareo bar has a large outdoor terrace area and the restaurant is a la carte.
Overnight at Hotel Marvie, Split.
Hotel Marvie, Split
Day 2 - Exploring the UNESCO World Heritage site of the old town
Leave your car at the hotel and walk into the UNESCO World Heritage site of the old town and Diocletian’s Palace. The enormity of the palace will take your breath away and the old town is literally built into the walls and entwined within the structure. The Palace is one of the most imposing Roman structures in existence today and an open-air museum. Book a guided tour as this will be an unforgettable experience.
You will need the whole day to give justice to the old town. Restaurants and cafes abound in the many squares, and you will be spoilt for choice when it comes to lunch. Stay on for the evening as the old town is magical then and Split has quite a diverse and vibrant restaurant scene. This will be a tiring day so perhaps take a taxi back to the hotel in the evening. The cost will be around £5.
Overnight at Hotel Marvie, Split.
Split, Croatia
Day 3 - Explore Split's sandy beaches
Split is one of the few places in Croatia where there are a few sandy beaches. It’s a 20 minute walk down to Bacvice Beach, very much the local beach. It’s sandy and cafes, restaurants and bars are all at hand. You will find groups of locals (of all ages) playing the city’s national game of “Picigin” in the shallows - basically keeping a ball up in the air. The game is exhausting to play but very entertaining to watch and it is taken very seriously in Split.
If you have not had your fill of exploring the old town, then a few more hours there plus dinner is time well spent. You will never visit anything like this anywhere in the world.
Overnight at Hotel Marvie, Split.
Split, Croatia
Day 4 - Your first day in Biograd Na Moru
The drive to Biograd Na Moru and the Hotel Ilirija will take about one hour and thirty minutes (138 km) but make an early start and use the opportunity to detour for a visit to the medieval walled city of Trogir. It’s about a forty-minute drive from Split. Trogir is like a mini Dubrovnik. Trogir old town is a UNESCO Heritage listed site and is known for its mix of Renaissance, Baroque and Romanesque buildings and is set on a small island connected to the mainland and the island of Ciovo by bridges. Parking in Trogir is difficult. The only sizable car park is near the market. You can park there and then walk over the footbridge to the old town.
Biograd Na Moru is located in the North Dalmatia region and is not known to British visitors but is popular with Croats. Biograd (as locals say) is an unusual mix of a holiday resort at the seaside area, a pretty little old town behind the seafront and a regular Dalmatian town behind that with shops and services meaningful to the citizens as well as those aimed at visitors. It’s a really charming mix. There is also a traditional Mediterranean feel which is quite hard to define.
Overnight at Hotel Ilirija, Biograd Na Moru.
Biograd Na Moru, Croatia
Day 5-9 - Days at leisure in Biograd Na Moru
You have four clear days in Biograd and three national parks to visit. Plitvice National Park is the most famous, with its waterfalls and lakes and is a 2 hours 15 minutes drive away. Krka National Park is a 45 minute drive. It also has stunning waterfalls and lakes, encompasses a traditional village and is smaller than Plitvice. Kornati National Park you visit by sea. The park contains over 100 islands and reefs and the setting off point is the village of Murter, a 45 minute drive from Biograd. If you have the energy and the beach pull isn’t so great, then there is also Paklenica National Park with its gorges, mountains, caves and bunkers, built in the 1950’s by the Yugoslav army – a system of tunnels and bunkers covered by 800 metres of karst rock. This National Park is more about karts and canyons and is quite different from others) and it’s only an hour’s drive. The national parks are not suitable for wheelchair users.
Overnight at Hotel Ilirija, Biograd Na Moru.
Hotel Ilirija, Biograd Na Moru
Day 10 - Day of departure
On your final day, the drive to Split Airport will take 1 hour and 15 minutes. Allow time to return the car.
Accommodation
Hotel Marvie - Night 1 to 3
The 4-star Marvie is situated in a quiet residential area yet within easy reach of the ancient core of Split within the walls of Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace.
The 4-star Marvie is situated in a quiet residential area yet within easy reach of the ancient core of Split within the walls of Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace.
The hotel is also within 20 minutes’ walk to Bacvice beach, one of Croatia’s few sandy beaches where locals play the game of “picigin” in shallow water throughout the year.
The design of the hotel is distinctively contemporary and some might say even a touch funky with eclectic art works and use of bold colour splashes amid pale grey and white.
Both outdoor and indoor pools (the rooftop one has a serious wow factor and superb sea views) and the indoor pool is close to the extensive wellness spa centre where there is a wide range of treatments on offer including skin enhancements.
A perfect base for a city break or a longer stay and particularly suited to couples and groups of friends. Split has an excellent restaurant and bar scene and the old city retains a buzz long before and after the high season.
Accommodation
- There are 76 stylish, air conditioned rooms and suites with a number of room types including some which can include an extra bed
- Superior and deluxe rooms mostly have sea or seaside views but this cannot be guaranteed in advance. Superior rooms with balcony have seaside views.
- Most rooms have a walk in shower while rooms on the first and second floors have bath with shower.
Amenities/Features
- Stylish Mareo bar leading to outdoor terrace area
- Restaurant Da/Mar for breakfast and a la carte meals
- Buffet breakfast
- Half board evening dinner , waiter-served set menu with choices or buffet depending on guest numbers
- Outdoor rooftop pool, pool bar, free pool towels, sunbeds and parasols
- Indoor pool with relaxation beds, jacuzzi and aqua gym classes
- Wide range of treatments in the wellness centre and gym
- Free WiFi throughout the hotel
- Lift
- Parking (charge applies)
Hotel Ilirija - Night 4 to 9
Situated right on the seafront, this is a great location as the hotel, built in the 1960s but recently completely refurbished, is so close to the sea, looking to the islands one way, to the beaches another and to the waterside promenade yet another.
Situated right on the seafront, this is a great location as the hotel, built in the 1960s but recently completely refurbished, is so close to the sea, looking to the islands one way, to the beaches another and to the waterside promenade yet another.
There is a real Mediterranean feel here, the hotel offers very good value for money and there are many repeat visitors.
The hotel is located within seven minutes walking distance to pebble and sandy beaches one way and to the shops, bars, restaurants of the small town of Biograd na Moru with its quaint piazzas, narrow streets and churches the other way, including an excellent Studenac supermarket.
From the waterfront, there are a number of boat trips including the excursion to tiny Vrgada island for swimming and lunch on board.
From mid June to mid September, the garden-terrace by the hotel has some excellent live musicians on the stage under the trees while the seafront facing Lavender Bar-Lounge has a more chill out vibe.
The historic Arsenal building in Zadar (once a shipyard and now a multi-purpose venue) belongs to the hotel. Tickets for any concerts during your stay are free to guests during their stay. Transport at own cost (30 minutes away).
The hotel plans to introduce “health and vitality breaks”. Special wellness programmes are being created, designed by doctors and physiotherapists, many focused around the indoor swimming pool and gentle exercise outdoors by the beach or among pine trees. These are expected to have a fixed price and can be bought with a holiday.
An excellent base for visiting the nearby national parks both on excursions or with hire car. Perfect for kayaking, paddle boarding, small boat hire.
Accommodation
- There are 157 well appointed bedrooms including comfort, superior and premium rooms all with glass balconies and many with partial or full sea view.
- Premium rooms are sea facing on the third and fourth floors.
Amenities/Features
- Newly redesigned and refurbished lounge and bar (June 2022) with lovely outside terrace garden seating
- Restaurant serving breakfast and half board dinner. Some outdoor seating at breakfast only.
- Buffet breakfast and buffet half board (dinner)
- Discount at the a la carte, fine dining Restaurant Marina outside of the hotel
- Infinity outdoor pool at the adjacent Hotel Adriatic with free sunbeds (limited number) and pool towels (charge).
- Lavender beach bar-lounge situated between hotels Ilirija and Adriatic with lounge seating, snacks, and music
- Evening entertainment with live music several evenings on Ilirija terrace mid June-mid September.
- In house travel agency for excursions (four National Parks within easy reach)
- Free WiFi throughout the hotel
- Lift
- Salvia spa Centre covering the whole 5th floor with big jacuzzis (with views), large new gym, Finnish saunas, steam rooms, relaxation beds. Beauty treatments include manicures, pedicures and a wide range of massage treatments.
- Ground floor - hair salon
- Parking (hotel car park, charge)
Route Map
Best time to go
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Time Difference
GMT + 1 hour
Currency
Euro
Language
Croatian
Average flight times
2 hours 30 minutes
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Average temperature
Average rainfall
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