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adriatica.net & Kroatiska Turistbyrån Press trip

MIDDLE DALMATIA

From Split to Islands Hvar & Korcula

(May 10, thursday-May 14, Monday)

Day 1: Arrival at Split Airport

Transfer to the city by adriatica.net car

Split is the economical and cultural cenre of Dalmatia with total population of

c/a 270 000 people. 1700 years old town grew out of the large Diocletian palace with total area

of 30 000 square meters, build in 3rd century BC. Roman emperor Diocletia decided he needs a place

to retire and injoy after long military career and picked the settölement of Aspalathos to build an impressive palace. He transported stone-made sphinx and over 20 meters high pillars right from the Egypt to decorate the interiors of his new home.

Diocletian Palace is placed on UNESCO heritage list for its cultyral, historical and architectural richness. The buildings inside the walls are regarded to be among the most beautiful architectural complexes on the Adriatic. Large halls and saloons, spacious rooms and wide corridors of the Diocletian palace were later reconstructed into the streets where medieval nobles built their residences and palaces seen yet today, but also the city of music, festivals, cultural events, sports and tourism.

Check in Hotel Peristil

Guided city tour

Dinner in local tavern

Day 2: Friday, May 11

Early breakfast in Htl

Check out Departure for ferry port. Ferry

ferry for island of Hvar leaves at 8:30 am

In addition to the notes about Hvar from the beggining, here are some of the details

about the island: Hvar is the longest Adriatic island also called "the sunny island" and

" the Croatian madeira" for its huge number of sunny hours /according to the statistics 2774

hours per year). Because of its climate and nature facilities Hvar started with organised tourism

in 1868. The biggest places on the island having the constitution in 1331 are towns of Hvar and Stari Grad

wich used to be Greek colony namned Pharos.

Beaches are mostly rocky and pebble, while accommodation is offeres in hotels (3,4 stars) and self catering

apartments and houses (villas). In front of the southern coast of Hvar are Pakleni Islands (marina for boaters), and in front of the middle part the Island of Scedro (Robinson holiday oasis)

The unique handmade souvenir from Hvar is the lace made from agave (aloe)

fibres. The lace-making craft was traditionally kept by Benedictine nuns (today only 15 sisters).

Another souvenir characteristic för Hvar is lavender: oil and dried flowers are used in medicine and aromatherapy.

Honey is much appreciated. Should you come in the springtime you will see purple bushes of lavender in blossom all along the island. Beside lavender, island of Hvar is rich in rosemary, heather, myrtle, wild thyme. Original food products are 'honey and wines, especially red ones.

Arrival to city of Stari Grad at 10:30

Short break for cofee and snack.

Guided city tour

Stari Grad (eng Old Town) was founded by Greeks in 4 century BC under the name Pharos.

The cadastre outside Stari Grad left by Greeks is the best preserved one at the Mediterranean

and placed on UNESCO heritage tentative list.

The summer months offer noumerous cultural and sport events: the Summer of Stari grad,

concerts, recitals, shows. Stari Grad hosts the International Summer Music Scool in July and August.

Car tour trough the inland landscapes on the eastern side of Hvar Visit to wine producer Zlatan Plenkovic in

village Sveta Nedjelja

Lunch and wine tasting

Plenkovic produces premium and high quality wines. Most of his wines are from ingenious variety Plavac mali (a son of Zinfandel) that grows only in Croatia. His cellar & testing room is 70 meters below the sea level so you will enjoy the wines looking the underwater landscapes. recently, his most famous wine- Zlatni Plavac-won a eco certificate from Swis House Bioinspecta.

Check in Hotel Palace, coty of Hvar

Dinner

Day 3: Saturday, May 12

Breakfast

Guided city tour

Town of Hvar is placed in the foot of the fertile hill. First inhabitants came in antiquity thus Hvar

is like open museum. Here is one of the oldest public theatres in the Europe (built in 1612), then renaissance cathedral with the bell from 17th century, medieval loggia and large Arsenal building, complex of Franciscan monastery with the church from 15th century and two fortresses of which one was made by Napoleon´s commander.

In summertime, city of Hvar is vivid and crowded place whre free romm is hard to find. City

marina with water and electricity connections is fully booked. Part of the harbour is at

disposal for ferries and catamarans operating from Split few tiems a day.

Lunch in Hvar.

Departure for ferry port:ferry for Island of Korcula leaves at 2:50pm

Arrival to Korcula (port Vela Luka) at 4 pm

Transfer to city of Korcula

Check in Hotel Korcula. Short break for refreshment

Dinner

Evening stroll around city of Korcula

Day 4: Sunday, May 13

Breakfast

Guided city tour

The town of Korcula is known for its outstanding cultural and historical heritage and a long tradition in seafaring, shipbuilding and stone-masonry. Cultural events of "Moreska" and "kumpanija"-medieval sward dansec cas became world famous.

Gastronomic offer includes famous fish specialties and exquisite, top-class local wines (Posip, Rukatac, Grk, Plavac) due to wich Korcula is also called "the island of wines"

Car trough inland landscapes of Korcula. Visit to agrotourism: lunch in tavern