DESTINATION GUIDE
DESTINATION GUIDE
DESTINATION GUIDE: SPLIT ISLANDS
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SPLIT ISLANDS
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BRAÄŒ ISLAND – Island Brac is Croatian highest island with Vidova Gora peak reaching 778 meters and the third largest Croatian island covering the surface of 395 km2 (153 sq mi). Being a large island closest to Split, its largest town Supetar is the busiest island ferry port providing island’s 14.000 inhabitants regular connection with mainland. Sailing around island BraÄ you will see settlements alternating with pine forests, olive groves, steep limestone rocks, pebble and sandy beaches. The most famous Croatian beach is Golden Cape - Zlatni Rat in Bol which changes its shape daily depending on the wind and waves. If you are keen on a little adventure a hiking tour to Dragon’s cave and Blaca Hermitage, paragliding from Vidova Gora, or biking tour to passing through olive groves, vineyards and stone quarries should be on your ‘what to do list’. BraÄ white stone, olive oil and vine have been esteemed from ancient times. Visiting BraÄ gives you opportunity to bring home the very stone used in construction of White House in Washington and to taste superb red vine Plavac.
HVAR ISLAND – This 72 kilometers long island is fourth largest island in Croatia with the surface of 299 km2 (115 sq mi) and 11.500 residents. More further you go away from mainland more beautiful are the landscapes. A bond between man and nature on island Hvar is very accent. From ancient times locals cultivated this area with olive groves and vineyards, but from middle ages a strong fragrant of lavender imbue the island coloring it shades in purple. Near town of Starigrad ancient geometrical system of land division can be found which was listed on UNESCO Heritage Sites in 2008.
Beside abundance of rocky and pebble beaches, the most famous part of this sunny island is town of Hvar itself that combines rich cultural and historical heritage with extravagant nature and tourism. Facing the south, looking over the Pakleni islands, this town full of Mediterranean liveliness will leave no one pococurante, not even the ones seeking for vivid nightlife. Sipping local vines BogdanuÅ¡a and PrÄ, tasting seafood specialties in one of boutique restaurant in narrow town passages, listening sough of people passing by and music sounds of live band are just some of experiences that one should have in lovely summer evenings.
VIS ISLAND – This farthest inhabited island is 45 kilometers distant from Croatian mainland. It strategic position made it in stroke of most maritime battles even since 4th century BC when it was a Greek colony and after Second World War Vis became a military base. Because of its late opening for foreigners (in 1998) it succeeded in preserving traditional way of life despite overall tourism expand. Its 3.600 inhabitants still nurtures agriculture and fishing. Local fish specialties such as ViÅ¡ka pogaÄa (bread pie with sardine and anchovies), beans fish stew or octopus ‘under the bell’ blend nicely with authentic white vine Vugava and can be enjoyed in some quiet local restaurants in Vis or Komiža – two main island settlements.
With the surface of 90 sq km (34 sq mi) and almost round shape one can shortly reach opposite sides of an island or make a stop to Titova Špilja near island highest peak Hum at 587 meters (1.925 ft). And for those who prefer sailing will find true paradise among islets of Budikovac, Ravnik, Bisevo, Brusnik, Svetac, Jabuka, Palagruža that form Vis archipelago. Cristal clear sea reaches its full potential when you think on swimming and snorkeling near these islands, just imagine yourself swimming in a turquoise lagoon near Budikovac or near Green cave on Ravnik or near Biševo where a visit to Blue Cave around noon is a ‘must do’ to witness a nature in all its beauty – sunlight creating enchanting blue light within the cave that can only be approached by the sea.
Å OLTA ISLAND – An island of simple and hardworking people that manage to tame karst soil and extract tree gold: olive oil and honey with a glint of yellow and DobriÄić wine with a glint of red. Being close to Split, peaceful island Å olta made it a good place for nobles to build their summerhouses. With four settlements on the sea Stomorska, NeÄujam, RogaÄ and Maslinica, seven islets on the west and numerous long coves, island of Å olta being 12th largest on the Adriatic with surface of 52 sq km, and just an hour of sailing from Split, is most sailors first stop on their week cruise.