Croatia Travel Blog

Archive for the ‘Croatia Islands’ Category

In the steady stream of articles about Croatia, it’s hard to stand out. Today’s article from The Guardian is truly useful for those trying to decide which Croatian island to choose. Author James Hopkin obviously knows his subject well unlike too many journalists that breeze in and out on press trips. His Top Five Holiday Islands breaks down the choices to: for Couples, for Culture, for Relaxation, for Foodies, and Beauty and Buzz. In truth, all the islands named–Hvar, Korcula, Losinj, Pag and Vis–are romantic, culturally interesting, relaxing, beautiful and serve up excellent food but some do have a slight edge on the others. Yes, Hvar does have Buzz, Korcula is well-dosed with Culture, Pag has some excellent cheese and lamb, Vis is graced with lots of secluded coves and Losinj’s pine forests are most relaxing. I also liked that he mentioned some less-touristed towns such as Stari Grad in Hvar and Kolan in Pag.

To his considered list, I would add the following:

• Best Wildlife–Cres Island for the Griffon vultures
• Best Watersports–Brac Island for the windsurfing at Bol
• Most Gorgeous–Mljet Island for its National Park
• Most Offbeat–Dugi Otok as it’s the least visited
• Best Island Beaches–Hmm. It’s a toss-up between Baska on Krk Island and Lopar on Rab Island.

See more about:

• The Ten Best Islands in Croatia
• Hvar Island
• Korcula Island
• Vis Island
• Losinj Island
• Pag Island

According to this month’s issue of National Geographic Traveler, a Croatia cruise ranks as one of the Tours of a Lifetime.  The article rightly points out that the way to do it is via a vintage freight vessel outfitted to carry passengers. I couldn’t agree more. Last year I took a cruise of Croatian islands and felt that only then had I penetrated the hidden beauty of islands I had already visited many times. There are several companies that handle these cruises and the prices are very competitive. The atmosphere is relaxed, convivial and low-key, making it a perfect family vacation. Read more about my Croatia island cruise.

Another article in the same issue provides a vivid account of author Paul Kvinta‘s visit to Lastovo, one of Croatia’s most alluring and remote islands. His chosen accommodation was a lighthouse, refurbished and available for weekly rentals. Watch out for pomalo though! Go to article.

Will there be a royal honeymoon on Rab Island? I’m referring to the upcoming nuptials of Prince William and Kate Middleton of course which has sparked rumors that the couple may spend all or part of their honeymoon on Rab Island.

It all started when the Daily Mail newspaper speculated that the Prince and his bride could follow the example of his great-uncle Edward VIII who frolicked on Rab Island with Wallis Simpson before his abdication. The mere mention of “royal honeymoon” and “Rab Island” in the same sentence was enough to send PR people, tour operators and local tourism officials into overdrive. Tourism minister Damir Bajs, Rab mayor  Zdenko Antešić and a host of lesser luminaries giddily extended welcome after welcome to the couple despite a total lack of confirmation from the royal entourage.

Although Rab Island‘s beaches, coves, forested hills and vineyards are alluring enough for a brigade of European royalty, it seems highly unlikely that William and Kate would be inclined to follow in the footsteps of  the Nazi-sympathizing, dissolute Duke of Windsor. Unmentioned in the hoopla is that the Duke and Wallis allegedly went skinny-dipping off the coast of Rab which jump-started naturist tourism in Croatia and especially on Rab Island.  Memories of naked, splashing royals would be a public relations nightmare so, no, I don’t think it’s going to happen. But who knows?

Read more about Rab Island.

 

 

 

 

The southern Dalmatian islands of Hvar and Korcula tend to get a lot of press, so I was happy to see travel writer Jon Henderson venture to the Kvarner islands in the northern part of the Dalmatian coast and write an article about his trip for the LA Times. I wish I could comment on his comparison of the turquoise waters of the Kvarner to French Polynesia but, tragically, I haven’t yet visited the latter location. I have visited the Kvarner though, most recently in a cruise of the Croatian coast last August and I can say that it wasn’t quite the tourist-free paradise that Mr. Henderson visited in May. How could it be?  The advantage of an August visit though, is that the water is swimmably warm after the summer heat, unlike the ice pond that Mr. Henderson encountered.  It’s true that the water temperature remains several degrees below the waters of southern Dalmatia but the prices are also less, even in high season. There are hundreds of rooms to rent on Cres, Losinj and Krk islands and the towns Cres, Mali Losinj and Krk are as fun to explore as Mr. Henderson describes.

I also appreciated the writer’s anecdote about finding a room in Cres town. Many people think that you’re bound to get a better deal with a private person hawking a room on the street but no. As Henderson pointed out, he actually got a better deal at the tourist office. So, budget travellers beware! Don’t get too smart for your own good. See more about finding private accommodation in Croatia and about Croatian islands.

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.