September 17 - 18
Time to see Cade run XC and Kasen and Cam play soccer. I went with Brent to soccer and Don went with April to cross country as they were all happening at the same time on Saturday morning.
![]() |
Cam |
![]() |
Cam |
![]() |
Kasen |
![]() |
Kasen |
![]() |
Cade |
Saturday, August 27
Our last destination was Hvar. We took a fast boat from Split to Hear and arrived at 12:30. We stayed at Amfora in Hvar. We spent the rest of the day by the pool. We walked into Hvar city for dinner and ate a local restaurant. We had a beef & chicken plate for two. Delicious
![]() |
Cruising into Hvar |
Sunday, August 28
We spent the day at the beach which was rocky and hard on our feet. Water was clear and good.
We walked into Hvar for pizza for dinner in the main plaza.
Monday, August 29
Another day of relaxing at the pool! We again walked to the main plaza of Hvar and had pasta at sunset.
Tuesday, August 30
Our last full day of our European vacation to celebrate Don's 70th birthday and our 50th anniversary. We rented a cabana over the Adriatic Sea and had the most marvelous day.
Wednesday, August 31
We had a 7:55 am flight from Split to Munich and then on to Chicago and Cedar Rapids. We hired a private boat to take us from Hvar to Split where a driver met us to get us to the airport. The hour plus boat ride was beautiful as the sun rose over the sea. Business class flights made the trip enjoyable and we arrived back in CR at 9:00 pm Iowa time!
What a month of celebrating!
Wednesday, August 24
We took the 4:30 pm Ferry from Dubrovnik to Split. We were the 5th and last stop of the 4 1/2 hour trip. We were picked up and checked into our hotel, Marriott Le Meridien on the Adriatic Sea beach.
Thursday, August 25
Our hotel is a ways outside of Split, so we took a taxi into Split for our walking tour of the old city. We entered through the Golden Gate. The whole area was once the Diocletian's Palace, both public and residential areas. We were walked through this city to the other three gates - bronze, iron and silver.
![]() |
the bell tower |
![]() |
view from the top of the bell tower |
![]() |
the Split Cathedral |
![]() |
Temple of Jupiter |
![]() |
The Adriatic Sea |
![]() |
The pool at the resort |
![]() |
Beautiful sunset![]() |
![]() |
Don's steak!! |
Friday, August 26 - Our 50th Anniversary!
We so looked forward to just hanging out at the beach and pool and that's what was planned for our anniversary day. For 3+ weeks we've been on the go with excursions, walking tours, cathedrals, ruins, and more ruins. The hotel surprised us with a delivery including a cake and champagne. We had dinner at a lovely restaurant at the resort at the harbor area.
![]() |
View from breakfast |
![]() |
Celebration time from the hotel |
Saturday, August 27
We had breakfast at the hotel and then took the fast ferry.
Great time in Split, Croatia!