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  This morning explore Split, a city that dates back 1,800 years to the time when the Roman emperor Diocletian built a monumental imperial residence for his retirement years. Within this palace grew a city, which UNESCO has proclaimed a World Heritage Site. Today the fortified camp is an intriguing warren of narrow cobblestone streets, where pre-Romanesque churches exist alongside Gothic chapels and a multitude of historical museums.

Our half-day city tour starts with an exploration of Diocletian's Palace, which was built in 295 AD and constitutes the heart of the city. Very much a living monument, it is framed by four gates - the most famous of which is the Golden Gate. In front of it stands a statue of 10th Century bishop Grgur Ninski, who once opposed the pope and introduced the Croatian language into his services. Sculpted by another of Croatia's favourite sons, Ivan Meštroviæ, this statue is considered a symbol of Split. Peristil Square is where Diocletian used to deliver his speeches and the nearby mausoleum of the Roman emperor was transformed into the Cathedral of St. Domnius, famous for its bell tower.

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