SPLIT
Split (Aspalatos, Spalatum, Spljet. Split... as its name changed from the days of Ancient Greece until today), is the second largest city in Croatia and the heart of the Dalmatia region. The old town is built around a sheltered harbour, on the south side of a high peninsula sheltered from the open sea by many islands. Ferries to these islands are constantly coming and going. The entire west end of the peninsula is a vast wooded mountain park, while industry, shipyards, limestone quarries and the ugly commercial / military port are mercifully far away on the north side of the peninsula. High coastal mountains set against the blue Adriatic provide a striking frame to the scene.
BOL
Bol is a town situated on the shore of the island of Brač. It is known for its beautiful beaches, among which the Golden rat is the most beautiful and the most visited one. According to the statistics it is also one of the most beautiful beaches on the Adriatic. While you enjoy the natural beauties of this beach and the magnificent sea, we remind you to take the stone from the beach, because according to the old legend, a stone from this beach brings luck.
KOMIŽA
It is thought that KomiĹľa gained its name from the expression "Comme Issa" (like Vis), but there are other theories as well. Still most of them agree on the fact that the place is around 850 years old, just recently an 850th anniversary was celebrated. Population of KomiĹľa is mostly oriented towards fishing and the sea, so that the town managed to retain the look of a true fishing settlement with small stone houses, stacked one near the other in lines which start from the seaside.
BIĹ EVO / Blue Cave
The Blue cave (Modra spilja) - a cave on the open sea island of Biševo; close to the island of Vis, prominent because of its blue colour; according to many, much nicer than the similar but better known cave on Capri.
KORČULA
The city of Korčula is located on a small island connected to the island by small peninsula and its included among the most beautiful ancient cities on the Adriatic. Its known for its rich coastline beaches, and a medieval knight's game "Moreska", which is performed each July the 27th, as a memorial of a victory over the Islamic invaders. The city mainly managed to preserve impressive city walls gates, square and conical towers, and outside the city there is a British fort made in 1813. One of the most famous inhabitants of Korčula is Marco Polo. He was born in 1254. and he dedicated almost his whole lifetime to travels and explorations. His most famous voyages are those to China and Mongolia, and his alleged friendship with
Cublay Khan as well as his travels are still a matter of debate.
DUBROVNIK
Only a handful of the cities in the world can claim to represent an ideal larger than themselves and Dubrovnik is one of them. The thick stone walls that have protected the city for seven centuries against assault proclaim invincibility in the face of aggression. The wide marble street, Placa (Stradun), lined with businesses, cafes, churches and palaces, encourage the fusion of commerce, pleasure and faith into a vibrant community life. The profusion of fame sculpture and architectural detail on public buildings and monuments underscores a common artistic heritage available to anyone who cares to look. The way in which the towering walls both defame and blend into the landscape of sea, sky and hills is an argument for a human presence that enhances rather than spoils the environment.
PAKLENI ISLANDS
a chain of wooded islands, the largest of which is Sveti Klement. It is indented with lovely coves exposed to the Scirocco. The cove Soline with the small islet of Dobri affords anchorage sheltered from south and south-west winds, which however may raise a sea. The only inhabited place is Vlaka on the north coast with the homonymous islet just off. In the nice cove Vinogradišće shaded by trees, there is an excellent restaurant. The cove is also very attractive for swimming, as well as the coves Stari Stani and Tarsce. On the north island\'s coast in the cove Palmizana there is one of the best marinas in the Adriatic. Small craft can obtain good anchorage in any weather in the passage between the islets of Marinkovac and Planikovac which leads into the cove Zdrilca. Care is necessary in avoiding shoals. On the south-east coast of the islet of Marinkovac lies the lovely cove Stipanska. The islet of Sveti Jerolim is reserved for naturists. The most westward islets in this archipelago are Vodnjak Veli and Vodnjak Mali. Caution is required to avoid many shoals and rocks surrounding the islets. It is easy to reach the Pakleni Islands from Hvar by tourist boats which leave regularly during the season to the islands.
HVAR
Today the island of Hvar is one of the most attractive tourist destinations on the Adriatic, connected with ship and ferry lines to Dubrovnik, Split, Rijeka and Ancona in Italy. The greatest treasure of Hvar are the Pakleni
islands. An archipelago of small islands and rocks outside the city of Hvar, they managed to stay uninhabited and thus preserved their natural beauty.
On the south side of the island the city of Hvar was founded, as the New Town became known. After the fortress of Fortica was built on the hilltop above the bay it gained in importance, so that in time the town surpasses Starigrad, especially after the bishop transfers its seat there.
SUPETAR
Supetar is the transport and an administrative centre of the island of Brač, which was developed in the 19th and the 20th centuries. This is mainly due to good transport connections to Split, especially after the ferry terminal was built. It is a place not so significant in terms of history for the island, but its greatest source of income is tourism.
MAKARSKA
This attractive town and port is the centrepiece of the Makarska Riviera, a 50km stretch of coast at the foot of Biokovo Mountain, the highest one in whole Mediterranean (1762 m). The steep, barren mountain descends to the coast in a series of cliffs and ridges, forming an impressive backdrop to a string of beautiful pebble beaches. The foothills are protected from harsh winds and covered in lush Mediterranean greenery pine forests, olive groves, figs and fruit trees. With an abundance of hiking and swimming possibilities in such a spectacular natural setting, it's unsurprising that tourism has a long history in this region. The recent war in the former Yugoslavia severely disrupted the flow of visitors however, and, outside of a short summer season that runs from about six weeks in July and August, you should find the area relatively uncrowded the rest of the year. Makarska is the largest town in the region and makes a good base for exploring both the coast and Biokovo Mountain. Located on a large cove bordered by Cape Osejava in the south-east and the Sveti Petar Peninsula in the north-west, the landscape is dominated by the Biokovo Mountain looming over the town. The roads and trails that crisscross the limestone massif may be irresistible to hikers but the less energetic can simply lie on the beach and watch the day-long play of light and shadow on the mountain's cracks and crevices. |
