March 10, 2020 -  A new map helps your kids learn about the rich history of Split.

More than 1,700 years ago, Roman Emperor Diocletian built himself a palace close to his birthplace, but even he could never have dreamt that it would grow into such a wonderful city as Split. Today, Diocletian's Palace is not a museum; it's the heart of Split, open to everyone, and among its guests are many families with children. That was exactly the intention of the Tourist Board of Split to offer something completely new to children - a city map with content aiming at children and families traveling with kids. However, this map offers even more - to learn about the rich history of Split in a way suitable for children.

This map will be available in all Information Centers of the Tourist Board of Split. It includes locations of cultural institutions suitable for kids, like museums and theatres, but also other content, like sport facilities, playgrounds, spaces for outdoor activities, workshops, beaches, etc. On the map's opposite side you can see the historical city center with Diocletian's Palace. Short, simple texts describe the city's most important landmarks; Basement Halls, Peristyle, Palace Gates, Bishop Gregory's statue, Sphynxes, markings hidden on old town's walls, and many more. Following directions, any child will be able to solve simple tasks that make a stroll around the Palace even more fun. The slogan chosen for the map, 'Play and Learn About Diocletian's Palace,' speaks for itself.

Of course, one of the important goals of this map is promotion. The Tourist Board used it to invite children and their parents to post their photos of Split landmarks on social media, using hashtag #SplitForKids. That way, they will spread a word about Split and invite children to become friends of the city.

Author: Split Tourist Board / Ivica Profaca 

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Sometimes you really have to see an exhibition in the flesh to appreciate just how sensational it is.

I heard about Froggyland last year, a collection of 507 stuffed frogs more than 100 years ago. It really did not appeal. I did, however, decide to check it out last winter, only to find it was not available.

A friend told me recently that it had reopened, and that it was possibly the best kids attraction in Split, as well as a marvel for adults. Taking my daughter to a music audition in Split yesterday, we had an hour to kill, so I put Froggyland to the test. What can I say? It is sensational. 

The background. Between 1910 and 1920, taxidermist Ferenc Mere painstakingly recreated 21 human life scenes of the period by stuffing frogs with incredible skill to leave a truly unique and quite outstanding exhibition for future generations to enjoy. The humour and attention to detail in each scene - frogs at school, exercising, rowing, drinking wine - are superbly done, and there is something for all ages in each display.  

My daughter was more than happy to visit and revisit each exhibit, noticing new things at every turn.  

Photography is not allowed, something I learned after I took this picture, but I include it to give an example of one such scene. The intimacy of the collection is not quite brought out in the official website. There are in essence 21 glass displays such as this one, each depicting a different life scene. 

Entrance is free for kids, 25 kuna for adults, and it is open daily from 10:00 - 22:00.

It is very centrally located, just off Marmontova, and if you are looking for something that will entertain bored kids, this is a sure winner.  

Kralja Tomislava 5,

+385-21-582296

www.froggyland.net  

With The Boss now working at the Vrboska Tourist Board and me running around covering Totals Split and Hvar, there has been a little readjustment in the household to cope with the care of our two little princesses. Nothing of course could happen without my fabulous mother-in-law, who really is the coolest grandma in town. 

We both had to go to Split yesterday on totally different missions, arriving and leaving on different boats, and the only solution was to bring along the girls, dressing it up as a fabulous day out in the big city.

In the rain.

What to do with kids when it is raining in Split? It turned out that the girls had rather a fabulous day. 

On arriving at 0930, I gave them three options to cover before my first meeting at 11am: a visit to the fabulous Nadalina chocolate shop, discovering what some claim is the smallest street in the world, or going to Daddy's secret place. Not surprisingly it was off to the chocolate shop...

Next up was the 'smallest street in the world' which they had enormous fun with, racing each other to see who could run its length quickest - the winning time was two seconds. And then it was time for Daddy's secret place.

The basement of Diocletian's Palace is a kids dream. Apart from the main souvenir stands, there are some interesting rooms to the left - wide open spaces with plenty for the kids to explore, and a chance to let their imagination run riot. Apart from the dry attraction for the kids, the reason we went was to check out a very interesting gastro fair promoting the indigenous products of Croatia, which we all thoroughly enjoyed.

"Daddy, it is the biggest pizza in the world!"

Not a pizza, but a UNESCO-protected traditional dish from Poljicka, of which more coming soon in an other blog. It was delicious.

The tme for the first meeting was approaching, and I thought it would be fun for them to head through the fish market to see just how smelly it was, before our rendezvous at the fabulous Bajamonti, a great meeting place if you have kids - when the weather is good, Prokurative is as good a playground as you can find in the city, and when the rain is falling, the spacious and smoke-free interior (there is a small, separate smoking section) has plenty of room. And it has some GREAT hot chocolate for the kids, with a variety of flavours. 

This being Dalmatia, I quite often bring the kids to business meetings. This is a cafe culture and business is done over espressos. The lady I was meeting was delighted, and she brought her six year-old, and the three artists were soon at work, occupied just long enough to allow us to conduct our business.

A phone call from Mummy and it was off through the palace once more to hand over the girls after a lovely morning, and wave them goodbye on the number 18 bus to City Center One, where the excellent Kids Jungle is a life saver for busy mums with shopping to do. A free play area for two hours was just enough for Mummy to get the shopping done, while I was already heading home on the catamaran, and was in position to welcome home the tired team off the last ferry, and into bed at 11pm.

A great day out for the kids, and a productive one for us. With a little preparation, it is possible to keep the kids fully entertained in Split, even in the rain. 

We are delighted to welcome Helene to our small but rapidly growing international team. With Croatian Frane looking after sport, half-Danish Mila excelling on culinary, nightlife, sailing and lots of other options, and some English guy making the occasional contribution, it is great to add a dash of French flair to the team.

Helene lives in Split and knows a thing or two about how to occupy the little ones - some great info below in her first article. She is also the founder of the Expats in Split Facebook group and we meet tomorrow for coffee at Cafe Teak at 10:30 in the palace - see you there! All welcome!

You have kids and wonder what to do with them in Split? Great news: Split is the perfect city with young kids!

Indeed, there are a lot of places and activities available for kids and most important, kids are more than welcome here!!!

Having a 4 year old son, let me share with you one of our favorite place in Split: Žnjan, located about 5 km from the Diocletian Palace. Here is why…

On Žnjan, everything is made to have fun with your family! It’s a great place for both parents and kids: while parents can enjoy a coffee in a bar with a sea view, your kids will have so much fun jumping on the trampoline or on the bouncy castles! For just 10 kn per kid, they can spend as much time as they want so no stress about timing! Just relax, and enjoy… There are 2 bars on Žnjan with those equipments, and always available seats.

Your kid wants to become a formula 1 driver? Then he can practice in Žnjan, for 6 kn he can ride a small electric scooter (60 kn for 12 rides), kids just love it!!!!!!! They also have a sandy area with toys for the youngest kids, while older brother or sister is driving, so nobody gets bored!

My son always has great time here, and so do I!

After jumping and riding, just enjoy a fresh sea breathe while throwing stones in the sea during winter or swimming and sun bathing during summer, a free and always enjoyable activity for kids!

During summer, you can also rent funny paddle boats with slide, looking like a Ferrari! There is also an aquazone with bouncy castles, directly on the sea. May be suitable for older kids and adults.

Is it raining? Then Žnjan is still the right place to go! There is an indoor game area with arcade games just closed to the trampolines. You can also go to a bar located at the leftmost of the beach, simply called “Cocktail bar” where your kids can play indoor jumping in the balls and walking through a labyrinth!

So don’t hesitate: come and have fun with your family in Žnjan!!!!!