How to Split Between Treasure Hunts. A Travellers Guide.

Posted on: 25/10/2024

By Tim Carter (Owner of Black Cat Treasure Hunts)

Black Cat has just got back from a five day break in Split, Croatia. Very nice it was too..thanks for asking. Before I bore you with all my holiday snaps though it became clear that there were some significant treasure hunt comparisons to be made with a Brighton treasure hunt. Would it be the same but just in a different language  Could my other Sussex and London treasure hunts link in some way to a potential Split treasure hunt too? Which route would have the best ice cream?! Here are my findings.

Themes Good.
In a year when I have written a gemstones themed, London treasure hunt for a birthday and a Bourne Conspiracy themed treasure hunt for a hen party I wondered whether anything would stand out in Split. The answer became apparent pretty quickly...Game of Thrones! 
Split has a beautiful old town with narrow streets. We soon passed a small front shop claiming to be the Game of Thrones museum. Good start you may think. Even better was to come when we entered the accessible Diocletians Palace, which dominates this part of the city. It belonged to a Roman Emperor and is in fantastic condition. It is also the site for several scenes from Game of Thrones. Daenerys and her dragons could be found in the dungeons.
Nearby, a shortish drive up a winding road leads to the magnificent Klis castle. The views from the top are stunning and for true fans of G.O.T. a memory of the city state of Meereen! There is even a dragon in one of the rooms! This casle has had plenty of real history to sustain it too and due to its imposing nature and steep walls has never been captured.

Tall towers.
I must admit I do like to check out a tall tower in any new city (or town) that I visit. Split has a bell tower that is visible from most parts of the city. The large stone steps make it a demanding climb up at times, but the view from the top was incredible.
Brighton of course has the i360 tower. Taller than this bell tower for sure but maybe less well loved and apart from when it is lit up not so good to look at. On the other hand the i360 looks futuristic as it rises up and down. No sign of that from the bell tower.

Castles.
I have mentioned Klis castle already as it is unmatched for its mood enhancing views. Back in Black Cat territory, Arundel castle is in excellent condition and provides a great backdrop for the treasure hunt route there. The route in Lewes too runs right past the Norman castle with a question about a missing cannon.
Rye has a castle known as the Ypres Tower and is the start and finish point for my Rye treasure hunt. Hastings has a castle as well, but that one is less well preserved and a little bit further away to make it a natural part of any treasure hunt route in the town. You can look up and see it from time to time though!

Beaches.
Split has an impressive harbour with gigantic cruise ships moored nearby and smaller yachts too. The beaches are in the main pebbly, but the water is clear and clean. 
Being based in Sussex means that a large number of Black Cat treasure hunts feature a beach and also pass a large number of attractions that maybe Split could not compete with.
A Brighton treasure hunt will invariably make it down to the beach and may start/finish at the Pier. Hastings, Bexhill, Eastbourne, Seaford and Worthing treasure hunts will all utilise their beachside benefits. Eastbourne, for example, has a Martello Tower and, even more noticeably, a bandstand next to the beach. Not many of those on the variety of beaches in Split.

Right Time to Visit.
It turns out that Split in October is a great time to visit. The city motto of `Take it Easy` is quite possible as you meander in and out of the narrow streets but without too many people around. Quite a refreshing change from negotiating The Lanes in Brighton. However, on our last day this all changed. A large cruise liner offloaded all of it`s guests and suddenly Split was ..well...splitting at the seams. Apparently this will be the case for throughout the Summer season too. Come back The Lanes all is forgiven.
All of my Sussex treasure hunts are generally easily accessible and notes are given on each webpage when care needs to be taken.

Roman Influence.
Italy is just across the water from Croatia. As a result there were a lot of Italian restaurants in Split. Great pizzas! I know I know..there are some excellent contestants in Brighton too.
The architecture in Split has an undeniably Roman influence in the old town, as already mentioned about the palace. It makes it special to walk around. Not so many Roman walls though and that is where my Chichester treasure hunt scores! This lovely West Sussex city has a Roman background as well and encompasses the opportunity to walk on Roman walls too.

Ice Cream.
At last.. the important factor to consider! I should say my own town of Seaford has a very good ice cream shop-not on route though- (it does have an outlet on the beachfront too--on route!-neat!) Brighton of course has numerous places to cater for everyone. I have established that Black Cat Treasure Hunts feature strongly beside the seaside and, obviously. that leads to high quality ice cream provision.
However the strawberry flavour ice cream in Split that I had was superb. Intense flavour for sure. I can`t believe I only had one. Split doesn`t seem to do ice lollies  or the ice creams on sticks though, which is a shame as surely they have missed a trick on selling loads of Raspberry Splits?!

For all your treasure hunt bookings, treasure hunt ideas and Croatian holiday advice(!) please contact me (Tim) on info@blackcattreasurehunts.co.uk or call (01323) 655346.