•  Islands - Good Variety

Brac - Hvar - Korcula - Vis

There are 79 islands and about 500 islets.

 BRAC -

is the largest island on the Central Dalmatian Coast.

 HVAR - 

Croatia's trendiest island destination known for its lavender fields and vineyards is 68km long. 

KORCULA -

is 47 km long and covered with dark pine trees, Olive groves and vineyards. 

VIS -

is a remote rocky island believed by some to be the best island in Craotia

• Visa -

Croatia is a Shengen country so those rules apply. Starting in 2021 some countries including Australia will need an ETIAS authorisation which lasts for 5 years and has multiple entries. Stays over 90 days will require a Shengen Visa. Check your local Embassy

• Budget -

If you go in the shoulder season of May or September you shouldn't have too many problems sticking to budget. There is good value accommodation on all the islands so it all depends on where you decide to eat and drink. And how much :-)

• Population - 2011

BRAC - 14,343

HVAR - 11,459

KORCULA - 15,522

VIS - 3,617

• AKA -

BRAC - Brentos / Elaphusa

HVAR - The Lavender Island

KORCULA - Korkyra Melaina (Black Corfu) / the Emerald Isle / Little Dubrovnik

VIS - Lissa - Italian

• About -

You will need to start this trip on a Saturday as the ferry from Hvar to Vis only sails on Tuesdays. It starts in the busier places and makes its way to the more remote. Do scooter tours around all of the islands.

Make your way to Split 2N in Crotia

Catch a ferry to Bol 5N on Brac

Catch a ferry to Hvra Town 5N

Catch a ferry to Korcula 5N

Catch a ferry to Vis 4N on a Tuesday

Catch a ferry to Split and fly out

• Go -

Mid May to early October is when most ferries are running

Shoulder season is May and September probably the best time to go for prices and crowds

June to August is High season

In the winter there are fewer ferries and hotels and restaurants close down

• Airports -

Split Resnik International Airport (SPU) - 25 km west of Split. A Croatia Airlines Bus meets all flights. From April to October a number of cut priced airlines fly directly from European cities.

Brac Airport (BWK) - Near Bol - is very small and it is unlikely you'll be flying here. Has flights to Zagreb and Dusseldorf

• Ferries - Walk On

There are overnight ferries from Ancona in Italy. 2 companies with 4 sailings a week each that take 11 - 12 hours. Some stop in Stari Grad on Hvar an the way.

Split to Bol 1 hour in the afternoon

Ferry from Bol to Hvar Town - not in low season

Hvar Town to Korcula - ferries go to both ends of the island - it's a 40 min a/c bus from end to end

Korcula Town to Hvar Town - 1 hr 10 to 35 mins - twice daily in summer or once

Hvar Town to Vis Town - 50 mins - 17.15 - 18.05 - Only on Tuesdays

Vis to Split - 3 or 4 times a day - takes between 1 hr 25 mins and 2 hrs 20 mins

Can also rent private boat transfers

• Stay -

Split (Fly in Saturday) 2N - Bol 5N - Hvar Town 5N (Delfin Hvar Hotel) - Korcula Town 5N - Vis Town 4N

• History -

BRAC -

Evidence has been found tracing history on the island back to the Bronze and Iron ages.

It became a part of the Roman Empire. Later it became part of the Croatian Kingdom. At times they were ruled by the Venetians and at others by the Croatian-Hungarian Empire.

In 1420 the Venetians took control for a long period. After that empire fell the French, Russians and Austrians all had a go. Eventually it became part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire after Napoleon fell.

The Italians and Germans occupied the island during WWII and after that was over it became part of Yugoslavia.

HVAR -

Very similar to Brac

KORKULA -

Same Same

VIS -

First settled by the Ancient Greeks 2,500 years ago. Under Tito it was a Military Base and closed to foreigners until 1989

· See -

BRAC -

The Golden Horn Worlds #1 Beach

The Museum of Oil / Dragon Cave / Students at work at the Sculpting Academy / Monastery / Winery

HVAR -

Medieval Old Town / Castle / Franciscan Monastery / the Arsenal / Venetian Loggoa and Clocktower / Spanjola Fortress / Dubovica

KORCULA -

Marco Polo's House (Alleged) / St Marks Abbey Treasury / Korcula Town Museum / St Mark's Cathedral / Bell Tower

The sword dance on Mondays and Thursday in the Summer

VIS -

The Blue Cave best between 11 am and noon for the light - very crowded these days with people coming from as far away as Split /

Stiniva Beach (One of Europe's most beautiful) - easiest access is boat from Rukavac

Watch the movie before you come and see if you recognise any of the locations

Old cannons, tunnels, bunkers, Tito's Cave / Ex - Military Submarine Hangar - swim / walk through

Milna and Zaglav - Sandy beaches - Bili Bok nudist beach /

Stocica Beach - Palm trees - bar - seafood restaurant - terrace

Watch the Cricket / Open Air Cinema

· Do - For Bars go to Hvar, for Fish come to Vis

BRAC -

2 Scooter Tours - Lamb Lunch in Dol (Historic Village of Dol) - Ancient Postira and Lovrencina Bay (One of the most beautiful sandy beaches around with a great beach bar and restaurant overlooking it) -  Nereziska (the old capital) with its Pine tree growing out the roof of the Church - Explore Sutivan where diseased vines saw a mass exodus of wine growers to Chile - Smoko in Supetar - Visit a Roman Quarry - Skrip is the oldest village on the island (over 3,000 years) -  Olive Oil Museum - Scenic Lozisca - top of Vidova Gora for views - Blaca Hermitage (Tentative UNESCO list) - Fishing Village Sumartin and the cocktail lounges across the water - Brachia Olive Oil experience

Stroll along the shaded mile long promenade from the Golden Horn to Bol Harbour with an ice cream

Dive on a Roman Villa

Skinny dip at Paklina

Hiking on Vidova Gora Mountain / Quad or Buggy tour up Vidova Gora

Windsurfing / Water Sports / Well marked hiking and cycling trails / Sculpture spotting

Stina Wine tour and tasting at 5pm on the waterfront

Thalasso Wellness - the best in Croatia

HVAR -

2 Scooter tours - Lavender villages / Rustic lunch in a tavern in an abandoned village Konoba Humac - book) / wander Stari Grad (the oldest town) / Tito's Caves / UNESCO Agrotourism Tastings / Lavender Museum / the highest point on the island / scenic villages / one of the ten oldest Olive Trees on earth (500 years older than Christ) / swim in freshwater springs

Day trip to Pakleni Islands - Sveti Klement (Offshore island with secluded beaches overlooked by waterside cafes and restaurants - catch a water taxi or rent a boat) - World's #1 Nudist beach - Roman Mud Bath

KORCULA -

Scooter tour - Toreta winery Smokvika - Blako (Trees and churches) - Pupnatska Luka (Best beach + a great view) - Vela Spila (Cave with good views in Vela Luka) - Vela Luka - Vaja Beach - Cara Village - Mount Hum and the Old Fort - Racisce Village

Lambarda cycling winery tour - Agriturizam Bire -

Walk the city's defensive walls / Hiking in the countryside from Zrnovo

Sea Kayak the Korcula Archipelago / Windsurfing / Diving 30 m visibility / Snorkelling

Pasta making lessons / Donkey Safari / Beaches / Cooking Lessons

VIS -

Scooter tour of island - Submarine Tunnel - Roki's for lunch (Slow cooked Octopus) / Komiza Castle / Ride up Mount Hum for the views and Tito's Cave

Walk to the village of Kut 20 mins along the waterfront - have a beer when you get there

Benedictine Monastery / Komiza Beach

Round island boat tour or hire a boat (You'll need a skippers license)

Wine Tasting - there are hundreds of wineries and you can just drop in

Outstanding diving - on a Flying Fortress

Guided hiking tours / Hike Mount Hum - Sea Kayak to the Green Cave

· Highlights -

BRAC -

The beaches / the views / the restaurants 

HVAR -

Trg Sv Stjepana - one of the largest squares in Dalmatia

KOCULA -

Kumpanija - Chivalry dances and mock Medieval Battles with real swords

You won't find Grk wine anywhere else in the world

VIS -

Has retained its charm and style reminiscent of the Med in the 1950's

• Eat - From under the Peka / All Croatian meals begin with a Rakija

BRAC -

Kastil Gospodnetic - Local lamb on a spit in Dol

Vagabundo Restaurant and Bar - Traditional Croatian with a modern twist / incredible views

Terasa Santo - Spectacular views have the Fish Platter for two

Konoba Mlin - ever popular, alfresco, water views / Taverna Riva - for variety

Konoba Tomic - inland 17 mins - homemade sausages etc cooks on coals lamb, octopus, pork - house has been here since the Crusades - order the slow cooked lamb in advance

Konoba Raja - stunning views and seafood

On Wednesdays (Fishermen Nights) many locals and restaurants have stands in the street where they cook up fresh fish and crabs

HVAR -

Stori Komin - hidden cullinary treasure in a totally abandoned village

Another abandoned village futher out for a scooter lunch is Konoba Humac at Humac

Konoba Zbondini - most authentic and they have Lavender Cheesecake

Konoba Lambik - home cooking eaten in an olive grove

Grande Luna - Dalmatian on a rooftop terrace

Octupus Salad

Fig Cafe - good for breakfast / Nonica Bakery

KORCULA -

Konoba Maha - Rustic island specialties from home produce

Konoba Mate - " " " " " "

Adio Mare - one of the oldest restaurants on the island

Cafe Bar Servante - for great coffee and cocktails / Capers for the view

Restaurant Filippi - out over the water

Planjak - locals favourite near the ferry terminal

Simunovo - great views, food and prices

Makaruni - pasta with different sauces - or as a salad with different seafoods

Lamb on the spit / Prust - Dalmatian Ham / Octopus Salad / Black Risotto

VIS -

Villa Kaliopa - Fresh fish

Restoran Pojoda - " "

Roki's - Slow Cooked Octopus

Karijola - best pizza in Croatia with a terrace and sea views

Eat Lobster at Konoba Jastozera

Konoba Magic - looking out over the vineyards - cooking under the peka

Restoran Senko - remote and scenic spot with a chef who's a bit of a character and well known writer, it becomes an interactive show and an experience to remember

• Drink - A fish should swim 3 times, in the sea, in olive oil and in wine

BRAC -

Coffee in the port

The action is down by the harbour

Cocktail Bar Bolero - Open air under the Pines with comfy chairs and tables and a great view looking down at the windsurfers

Pivnica Moby Dick - open air, sea views, rooftop restaurant,

Benny's Bar - LIve music and DJ's /

Varadero Bar - in the main square, open air in the Pines that grow through the floor, coffee drinkers by day, DJ and cocktails by night, signature Mojitos and Daiquiris

Lots of bars, something for all tastes/ Late night at the Hotel Elaphusa nightclub

Wednesdays are Fishermans Nights where they sing a cappella (It's UNESCO listed non-material heritage) also small bands with live music and souvenir and food stalls

Summer Carnivals in September

HVAR -

Hvar has a 2400 year wine history / Tomic Winery

Has a reputation as a bit of a party town. Big places are Carpe Diem, Hula Hula and Ka'Lavanda.

Live music at Central Park Club / Hotel Adrianna Rooftop Bar / The Top bar

KORCULA -

There is a lot of live music around town

Grk wine can be found nowhere else in the world

It has a brewery and pub

The Boogie Jungle outdoor club up the hill with free shuttle service

Marco Polo Mistique Bar / Dos Locos Bar / Gaudi' Discoteque / Deja Vu Bar

VIS -

Has a long history of Wine making

Pub Crawl

Grandovac Beach Bar / Bejbi Bar - Harbour view, late closer

Party in ruined Fort George - open air, spectacular views, live music

• Sundowners -

BRAC -

Vidova Gora - "Best Sunset ever" / Beach Bar Auro on the Golden Horn - with a sound track

HVAR -

Hula Hula Beach Bar / Falko - hideaway amongst the Pines / BYO at the Spanjola Fortress / Carpe Diem Beach bar

KORCULA -

Maksimilijan Garden Lounge (Homemade limoncello) / Buffet Pizzeria Amfora

Massimo Cocktail Bar - Atop a tower - accessed by ladder - drinks come via a pulley system /

Tramonto Cocktail Bar / Bell Tower /

VIS -

Fort George

• Specialties -

BRAC -

Brac lamb yet to eat grass / Butalac - Stuffed lamb leg / Janjeci Tingul - Stewed lamb /

Lamb in Teca (cooked in a saucepan) / Hrapocusa - traditional cake

HVAR -

800 year-old tradition of Paprenjak honey biscuits / Gregada - signature dish, Fish Stew

KORCULA -

Posip and Rukatac - local wines / Zrnovska Makaruni - home made pasta topped with a type of goulash sauce

Pogacice - Cheese and octopus pie / Pasticada - Beef Stew

VIS -

Vuvgava white grape uniqueto this area and grown since ancient times /

Lobster / Sardines

• Souvenirs -

BRAC -

Something made from Brac stone / See Fishermans Nights in drinking / Olive Oil Products

HVAR -

Lavender products / UNESCO listed Lace made from Agave as opposed to Tequila / Wine / Paprenjak honey biscuits / Honey / Olice Oil

KORCULA -

Krg (Rare Wine) / Olive Oil (Very good quality) / Filigree Jewellery / Rose Petal

Liqueur / Rakija (Flavoured Grape Brandy - Fig, Herb, Honey, Pear, Walnut) /

Cukarin  Cookies / The 1st Vela Luka Cookbook

• Famous -

BRAC -

Provided the white stone to build the White House

Home of Zlatni Rat (The Golden Horn) voted the best beach in the World

HVAR -

Prince Harry partied here

"One of the most beautiful tourist destinations in the world" - The Traveller

The most famous Croatian Island - all the BIG names have been here

KORCULA -

Marco Polo was born here

Korcula Town is on an UNESCO tentative list

Little Dubrovnik

Very good Olive Oil

VIS -

Mamma Mia! Here we go again was made here

· Festivals -

BRAC -

Jazz Festival / Film Festival / Grape and Wine festival / Summer Festival

HVAR -

Summer Festival / Lavender Festival / Dormouse Festival

KORCULA -

Marco Polo Fest / Korkya Baroque festival / Sword Dance Festival

VIS -

Goulash Disko Festival / Summer Festival

• Extra -

See  Croatia and Slovenia