Archive for the ‘Brac Island’ Category
November 5th, 2010 | 
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Lozsica in the interior of Brac
Leave it to the Telegraph and their comprehensive Croatia coverage to introduce Brac Island. Although hardly unknown to British travellers, Brac Island is often too hastily disposed of in the general rush to southern Dalmatia. And it’s a pity. Sure Brac Island has miles of coastline and the unusual Zlatni Rat beach near Bol, but the interior of Brac Island is also well worth a visit. It’s not as lush as Korcula, Hvar or other Croatian islands further south, but the stark, stony landscape emits its own beauty. This article gives a good overview of the walking tours available on Brac and it’s most enticing. I had always wanted to visit Blaca and the Dragon’s Cave but never had time. On my next trip to Brac I intend to make the effort. Maybe with Footsteps in Croatia, the walking tour company recommended in the article.
See more on Brac Island.
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This weekend sees the second annual rope-pulling event that pits Brac Island against Solta Island. In addition to the fun of lining up in small, motorless boats and pulling on a rope, the event has a serious purpose as well. Only 700m apart, Brac and Solta islands nevertheless have no ferry transport between them. This is a familiar problem. Even though Croatia ferries run frequently between the coast and the islands, ferry service between Croatian islands is much spottier. It’s kind of silly that Solta residents must return to Split to get a ferry to Brac Island–unless they swim!
The festivities will take place on 31 July and 1 August with the actual rope-pulling occurring between 4 and 7pm on 1 August. The winning island can claim ownership of Mrduje, a small islet that lies between Brac and Solta.
While everyone else was skiing, Croatia’s hoteliers have been busy, busy, busy renovating, restoring and rebuilding. The Hotel Meridien Lav has been perhaps the most exciting opening but there are others. For example, the luxurious Hotel Elaphusa in Bol on Brac Island has added a whole new conference hall centre to welcome business travellers. What with the Hotel Riu Borak and Riu Bonaca, there’s no shortage of places to stay on Brac Island.
Krk Island is getting a new tourist centre as well, located in Malinska although this complex won’t be finished until August–when the tourist season ends. Oh well.
Just finished is an astounding new spa and wellness centre, the Terme Tuhelj in Zagorje. I’ve been a big fan of Croatia’s Zagorje spas and they deserve to be better known. Some are in need of makeovers but this new one makes me drool. Saunas, ice caves, ice pools, relaxation rooms, mud massages plus an aquacentre with waterfalls, geysers, glaciers (no, I made that up) and all in the green, rolling Zagorje interior. I feel well-er already.
