Archive for the ‘Hvar Island’ Category

Schedules, prices, booking information, tips

Want to island-hop in Croatia this summer? Or are you just waiting for the ferry schedules to plan your holiday in Croatia? All the Split to Dubrovnik local ferry schedules from June 1 to September 30 are now available. The last hold-out was Jadrolinija, Croatia’s national ferry company which has not yet officially published their coastal car ferry schedule. They sent it to me this week though, along with the prices. I’ve also been able to obtain the not-yet-published versions of a few other schedules including the Orebic-Korcula and the Split-Trogir passenger ferry. All these schedules plus prices and booking information are now available for download in my popular Dalmatia Ferry Guide. Over the next week, I’ll be updating all the schedules on Croatia Traveller as well.

Prices

Speaking of prices. . .I’ve noticed substantial increases in the prices for some lines, especially passenger boats run by private companies. Jadrolinija has done a good job holding the line on price increases. In effect, the prices are the same as last year. Some of the smaller companies are making trips to the Croatian islands much more expensive, probably because of this year’s increase in fuel prices. Jadrolinija is state-subsidized which takes some of the pressure off.  Whenever possible, I recommend looking for a Jadrolinija ferry to take you to your destination. See more budget tips for your Croatian holiday.

Island-Hopping

Even with the price increases, island-hopping in Croatia is an incomparable experience. Curiously, it’s easier to day-trip to an island or to island-hop as a foot passenger than it is with a car. Car ferry links between islands are few and far between except for the coastal car ferry which only runs twice a week anyway. The easiest island to visit on a day trip from Split is Brac island with a daily boat that leaves in the morning from Split to Milna and returns in the afternoon. Vis island is a longer trip and can also be reached on a day trip from Split but only in July and August. For island-hopping you can go from Split to Bol on Brac and then to Jelsa on Hvar island (not on the same day) or Split to Hvar and then Korcula island (also not on the same day). There is a Korcula-Dubrovnik connection but only four days a week and only in July and August. And in Dubrovnik, you can do a day trip to Mljet island to visit the National Park (only in summer) or out to the unspoiled Elaphiti Islands.

You can work out all these trips and more in my handy ferry guide!

Writer Maeve Haran extolled Hvar Town this week in The Telegraph. She loves it all: the glamorous waterfront promenade, the shopping, the dining, the boats to the nearby Pakleni Islands and the ritzy Hvar Yacht Harbour Hotel. What’s not to like? Not much, according to this writer. I couldn’t agree more. Go to article. Read more about Hvar Town.

Writer Clare Mann wrote a useful recap of her Dalmatia sailing adventure in this week’s Telegraph. What I particularly like is the PR boost she gives to some of Croatia’s less-visited gems. Yes Hvar and Korcula are “party islands” (particularly Hvar) but just sail out to Vis, Mljet or the Kornati Islands and you can get plenty of peace and quiet even in mid-August.

In addition to recounting her itinerary, the writer gives a rundown of where to fuel up, and I don’t mean put petrol in the boat. There sure aren’t a lot of restaurants jostling for space in Zlarin for example, but it’s nice to hear about her scrumptious local meals. Just keep in mind that many of the destinations mentioned are only accessible by sailboat. Another good reason to charter a sailboat in Croatia!

Click here for the article on the Dalmatian islands.
Click here for where to eat and drink.

See my Croatian islands guide.

“Forget St Tropez” says writer Julia Chaplin in this month’s Conde Nast Traveller. Croatia is the place to go, says she, in this comparison of the Croatian, Turkish and Montenegrin coastline.

Croatia comes out very favourably, naturally, especially since she concentrated on luscious Hvar Island. Hvar Town, Stari Grad, and Jelsa are all part of the visit and she raves about Lopud and the Pakleni Islands. Couldn’t agree more.

Here’s my favourite part!

no one has told me no; to me, this is the purest form of luxury. I’ve had no hassles getting a restaurant reservation or hiring a boat on a moment’s notice. Not only that but everyone speaks English, there’s no visible crime or poverty, and, to top it all off, the air somehow smells of watermelon.

You can read the article here.

The Pakleni Islands near Hvar island are a major attraction in Split-Dalmatia county, drawing tourists on day trips from Hvar Town and a sprinkling who spend a holiday there  in a rented room or apartment.

The latter group will have fewer (if any) options when the government implements plans to destroy all housing on these unspoiled islands.  Although the islands have become a refuge for nature lovers and celebrities escaping paparrazzi, they have never been zoned for housing and the government is now cracking down.

Maybe. In fact, no date for demolition has been set and it’s unclear exactly which houses will be eliminated. Most are on the island of St Klement which also contains the prestigious Meneghelo resort. Although it’s been there for a century, it’s fate is uncertain.

Although bad for those planning to stay on the islands, it won’t affect the ability of day-trippers to enjoy the wild natural beauty. There are regular boats from Hvar Town making trips to the Pakleni Islands all summer.

Read more about the Pakleni Islands.