Split is the largest city in Dalmatia and it's largest ferry port. For many years the city was treated as a point on the transit routes towards the islands and resorts of Central Dalmatia. The city's treasures were hidden behind the walls of Diocletian's palace, and tourists would at best whizz round its narrow streets before catching their ferry. Today's tourists know, however, that Split's narrow streets hide a multitude of treasures. Small boutiques, galleries, restaurants and cafes sometimes literally built into those ancient walls provide an environment where the breath of history mingles with contemporary design and the attractive Dalmatian lifestyle. If you choose to explore the secrets of Split, on those warm stone pavements you'll bump into Roman warriors and even Emperor Diocletian himself, and all the while you'll be accompanied by the harmonious melodies of the Dalmatian a capella choirs. Give in to the scent of fish on the barbecue and enjoy a fresh, natural lunch with olive oil and home made wine. After lunch, do as the locals do and enjoy a nap while the heat of the day gives way to a golden afternoon. On the city beach, perhaps you can join in a game of the local sport picigin, or relax in the shade of scented pines on the Marjan peninsula. All of this means that Split, more than ever before, is a serious rival to an adventure on those very beautiful islands.