Magnificent Croatia, also known as the land of a thousand islands, is ready to welcome its visitors 365 days a year. With its majestic coastline, colourful history and rich cultural heritage it has more to offer than a visitor could possibly take in within a short stay. This is why many participants of our courses promise to come back and bring their families along for their next holiday.
Our courses give you plenty of free time to get to know our beautiful city of Split and roam its streets every day, but if you choose to learn more about our country you may also wish to explore unspoiled Mediterranean islands, Game of Thrones location tours, nearby towns and cities, enjoy local delicacies, or take a swim in crystal clear sea. Here are a few magical places you might want to visit during your stay.
Split
Situated right in the middle of Dalmatia’s most enchanting stretch, Split is a city where history speaks from every corner, a city with Mediterranean soul, warm heart and a modern vibe.
Songs and poems written here talk about sea, the sun, stone, wine, music, olives, family and love. They paint a picture of a city that grew out of a Roman palace and even now, centuries later, still lives at the speed of a heartbeat. As locals like to explain – Pomalo – meaning «take it easy», enjoy life, breathe, don’t stress, notice how beautiful world is.
The story of Split takes us back 1700 years when the Roman emperor Diocletian, tired of wars and court intrigues, decided to go back to the land of his birth and build a majestic palace where he would enjoy his last days. It took them 10 years (295 – 305 AD) to build a palace which was adorned with Corinth columns, mausoleum (now the cathedral), the Temple of Jupiter, incredible cellars and a private natural thermal spa to heal this old warrior’s wounds and rheumatic pain.
Over the next few centuries the palace slowly turned into a city, which to this day lures with its rich tradition, glorious history and beauty of its natural and cultural heritage. Diocletian’s Palace and the entire historical centre of Split have been on the World Heritage UNESCO list ever since 1979. Not only for the extraordinary preservation of the Palace, but also because the Palace continues living and breathing a full life although it has gradually been transformed into a network of houses, tenements, churches and chapels by the various peoples who came to live here after Diocletian’s successors had departed. All historical layers from ancient Rome, middle ages till today are still visible and alive.
Split is much more than glorious architectural scenery. It is also a venue for excellent gourmet and vine experiences, numerous cultural happenings like film and theatre festivals, exhibitions, excellent museums and concerts. It is a city which offers eclectic modes of entertainment starting with numerous clubs and bars, through street festivals. The Ultra Europe Festival is visited each year by up to 100 thousand young people from more than a hundred countries of the world. With its seafront cafés and ancient alleyways, palm trees and parks this vibrant and energetic city is one of the Mediterranean’s most compelling cities.
Our Teacher Training Center is located a short 5 minute walk from the centre of the city as well as Marjan Forest Park and its beautiful beaches so this vicinity allows you to enjoy the best of both worlds. Whether you’d prefer to spend your time after classes strolling through the enchanting forest and then walking down to the beaches, or feeling the unique urban buzz of the city, the capital of Dalmatia is ready to prove that “there is no place like Split”, as locals like to point out.
Other highlights of Split include:
Peristyle — Peristyle is a picturesque ancient Roman square situated in the heart of Diocletian’s palace. What was originally the courtyard of the Roman emperor, it is now a popular place to meet with friends, relax, have fun and explore the ancient past of the beautiful coastal city.
Riva promenade — Riva is the harbor of Split. It’s ideal for sipping coffee in the sun and for strolling through palm trees, colorful buildings, while enjoying the view out to the Adriatic Sea.
Green market — This is where you can witness everyday life in Split and feel like one of the locals. The colourful outdoor market offers a taste of the the seasonal produce from many local farms near Split.
Marjan Hill — Marjan is one of the symbols of Split, famous as a relaxing natural oasis not far from the city centre. The hill abounds with paths surrounded by fragrant pines trees, hidden gems like medieval chapels and cave dwellings and, most importantly, scenic viewpoints that offer breathtaking views on Split and its coast. Explore the Marjan forest by foot or rent a quality mountain bike in one of the agencies in town. You can also enjoy secluded beaches, like Bene beach, where you can swim in crystal clear water and rest under the shades of trees.
Sustipan — Sustipan was once the most beautiful cemetery in Croatia, built in 19th century next to a Benedictine monastery. It was demolished a century after and turned into a lovely forest park, situated in the close vicinity of the city centre and Marjan Hill. The park’s cliff edges offer a fantastic view of Split, as well as the deep sea and the islands in front of Split. There are a lot of benches and plenty of space where you can sit back and enjoy the nature.
Kašjuni — Kašjuni beach is just one of many amazing beaches in Split, aside from Bačvice and Žnjan. This relatively peaceful beach is a great place to recharge and soak in the summer sun, while drinking a coffee or a cocktail from a nearby beach bar.
Ivan Meštrović Gallery — This unique art museum houses a comprehensive collection of one of Croatia’s most significant sculptors — Ivan Meštrović. The gallery in itself is a work of art, surrounded by wonderful Meditteranean garden, filled with Meštrović’s bronze sculptures, and overlooking the sea.
Brač
Surrounded by incredibly clear waters, Croatian islands are easily reachable via the frequent ferry services or catamarans which operate year round. Our Social Program includes a summer visit to the beautiful island of Brač, the third-largest of Croatia’s islands. Ferry takes us to the port of Supetar, a former fishing village with shallow pebbly beaches. Our next stop is a picturesque Bol boasting the spectacular 400-metre-long beach of Zlatni rat (Golden Horn), famously frequently reshaped by strong winds and sea currents. On our way back to Supetar for lunch, we drive through the island packed with olive-groves, vineyards and orange trees making a stop at the highest point of the island – Vidova Gora, where we marvel one of the most beautiful viewpoints of the Adriatic. The remaining time is perfect for swimming or relaxing in one of beach bars in Supetar before our return to Split.
Trogir
Our winter Social Program is perfect for exploring the seductive towns of Trogir, Primošten and Šibenik. Trogir is a charming town situated only 20 kilometres west of Split and it is easily reached on a day trip. The old town and the entire historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site which has kept many beautiful buildings from its age of glory and boasts a cathedral dating back to the 13th century. While its cobbled alleys are bustling with life in the summer, winter days are not as busy. Take a stroll down the wide seaside promenade lined with bars, cafes and yachts or enjoy a drink or explore the town on your own discovering hidden backyards filled with flowers and history.
Primošten
The peninsula town of Primošten, situated 28km south of Šibenik, was once an islet just off the coast. Its true Mediterranean soul uncovers little alleys that take you up the hill to St George’s Church to watch the most amazing sunset and admire the stunning view of the surrounding islands and islets.
Šibenik
Šibenik’s ancient centre offers the blend of Mediterranean architecture and wonderful beaches. Dominated by a Gothic Renaissance St James’s Cathedral as one of the finest architectural monuments in the Adriatic, its centre represents a maze of alleys, steps and arches. Šibenik’s main street takes you directly to the cathedral which is a true masterpiece dating back to the 15th century. The city is very much alive with locals sitting on stools outside their homes and the narrow streets staying busy even during winter.
Zadar
Zadar, the ancient capital of Dalmatia, is a perfect city to visit for a day trip. Its seductive combination of ancient and medieval heritage with a bustling cafe life and attractive architectural projects such as the Sea Organ and the Greeting to the Sun, give the city a truly unique vibe. The Sea Organ (Morske orgulje) is the first installation of its kind in the world and it presents a broad stairway descending towards the sea containing underwater pipes producing musical notes as the waves hit the shore. Greeting to the Sun (Pozdrav suncu) is a set of light-sensitive tiles which accumulate solar power during the daytime and radiate coloured lights at night.
Krka National Park
If you would like to explore one of Croatia’s most beautiful National Parks – Krka National Park, situated in the inland of Šibenik, you will find yourself bewitched by its landscape of lakes, waterfalls and canyons. The river Krka runs right through the canyon forming impressive Skradinski Buk terraced waterfall. In the summer, cool river offers refreshment in warm sunny days while in winter one may take pleasure in stunning scenery as well as visiting Franciscan monastery on the island of Visovac.
Let’s not forget to mention incredible cuisine based on Mediterranean ingredients with a slight modern twist. Local delicacies can be found on every corner in Split. Fresh fish, olive oil, various sorts of wine, great regional cooking and specialty dishes are just some of the reasons why you should pick Croatia as your next travel destination.
