Contents:

 Brod Moravice: Developing Religious Tourism
 Markovec Našički: Exotic Animals In The Midst Of The Slavonian Plain
 Ilok: City Of Vineyards And A Wealth Of History
 Trogir: Enjoying The Marshlands And Mills
 Donji Zagon: Vacation On A Cultivated Village Farmstead
 Crikvenica: E-Tourism Like In London
 Lokve: A Weekend In The Green Heart Of Croatia
 Mirca – Island Of Brač: The First Museum Of Oil Making In Dalmatia
 Suza in Baranja: Learning Pottery From The Masters
 Šibenik-Knin County: Ethnoland & Amphitheatres
 Dubrovnik: 4th Dubrovnik International Film Festival
 Koločep: A Vacation For Scientists On the "Island Of Knowledge"
 Zagreb: The Metropolis Gets Two New Accommodation Facilities
 Cruise Idea Number 7: Heading Out From Dubrovnik
           

Brod Moravice - Developing Religious Tourism


The small town of Brod Moravice is one of many attractive destinations in Gorski kotar, and the people at the local tourist board have recently come up with yet another tourist project they hope will draw even more tourists to the region. The project has been dubbed "12 Churches In The Brod Moravice Region". The project is a promotion of sacral structures that will see a stronger development of religious tourism and of tourism related to history and culture as the entire region has an excellent basis for the development of this kind of tourist offer.
A booklet has been published recently that promotes the area's 12 churches. Written in four languages – Croatian, English, German and Italian, the booklet features numerous photographs. These are valuable sacral structures scattered across the entire Brod Moravice region. The church of St. Nicolas, which is situated in Brod Moravice, is the oldest church in Gorski kotar and was constructed in the year 1434. The church of Our Lady Of Škapular is situated in the Moravice villages, while on Parag Hill, not far from the village of Gornji Kuti, a chapel was built back in the year 1640 and dedicated to Saint Andrew. Sts. Peter and Paul church is situated in the village of Podstena. The church of the Holy Cross and St. Michael's church are situated in Šimatovo, St. Anne's church in Zavrh, the Heart of Jesus church in Male Drage, St. Joseph's church in Stare Laze, St. Lucy's church in Goršete, while St. John's chapel is situated in Donja Dobra.
Besides the churches in the area, and especially along the Kupa River, there are numerous crucifixes that are particularly interesting as they are works of anonymous master craftsmen. Also marked are the ways of the Cross in Šimatovo and Završje.
The entire area is covered in various sacral structures and as such is, on the whole, an interesting excursion area for tourists looking for religious content. Also of interest is the fact that, in travelling the route from one sacral structure to another, one can on the way uncover many of the natural phenomenon of this highland region.

Municipality of Brod Moravice Tourist Board

e-mail: tz-brodmoravice@gorskikotar.hr 
web site: http://www.gorskikotar.hr   www.tz-brodmoravice.hr/index.htm
Gorski kotar
e-mail: gorskikotarhr@gorskikotar.hr
web site: www.gorskikotar.hr
                                                                             Upp

Markovec Našički - Exotic Animals In The Midst Of The Slavonian Plain

 
   Along the state road that leads from Našice to Đakovo, more precisely in the village of Markovec Našički, is one of the best-known zoos in Slavonia. The Bizik family has for fifty years now cared for their private zoo, their own animal kingdom, and expanded its animal population.
There are currently some 90 animal species represented in the zoo from all continents with exotic species such as the Siberian tiger, the African lion, leopards, pumas and giant Indian python drawing the most attention.
Zoos with these kinds of exotic animal species are usually found in large urban centres which makes this animal world, situated in the heart of a traditional and gentle village milieu, a real breath of fresh air for the chance passer-by and for guests coming to visit the zoo itself.
Markovec Našički is a village not unlike all of the others in the area – it boasts Slavonian traditions, local cultural customs and daily routines so that a zoo like this represents an interesting escape into an atypical "wilderness".
Guests of the zoo, usually schoolchildren and families with children, can unwind in the heart of the Slavonian plain while observing and feeding individual animals, smaller children can try their hand at pony riding, while the bravest in the family can take home their photo with the snakes.
The landscape that surrounds the zoo is very attractive, and also exotic in a way because near the buildings housing the animals and a pond for swans there are plants not at all typical of the Slavonian landscape – palms, cedar trees, magnolias ...

Osijek-Baranja County Tourist Board
e-mail: info@tzosbarzup.hr
web site: www.tzosbarzup.hr                         Upp

Ilok - City Of Vineyards And A Wealth Of History

When speaking of Ilok, Croatia's easternmost city, for most people the first thing that comes to mind is good wine, of whose quality members of the English royal family can bear witness too. This is, however, a city also known for its wealth of cultural heritage.
Visible monuments have remained of every historic epoch that vividly recall former rulers and it is because of their characteristics that Ilok today offers an interesting tale for tourists. It offers attractions like traditional fishing and walks along the Danube River from which a view shoots out to river islets on the Danube and to neighbouring Serbia. There is a train ride organised for tourists that meanders through the city and its fertile vineyards, uncovering all the while other beauties of the landscape and the many cultural monuments.
Croatia's easternmost city has, therefore, much to offer the modern tourist, and given the announced investments, there should be more attractions in the offing. The renovation of existing facilities of the Iločki podrumi (Ilok Cellars) company is scheduled to kick off soon. This covers the Principovac farm – an old village homestead with farm buildings, an old wine cellar and the Odescalchi palace.
The structures that are to be renovated on the farm previously, during the time of prince Odescalchi, served as a stud farm. Also up for renovation is the well-known viewpoint from which a view shoots out over the entire Croatian part of the Srijem region. Archaeological excavations are still ongoing behind the Odescalchi palace and archaeologists have already uncovered many valuable historic artefacts that are to be exhibited in a museum on the second floor of the palace. A catering area is to be set up on the ground floor where visitors can enjoy a meal and sample the many wines of Ilok.
There are also plans to renovate an existing bungalow and build another so that larger groups of tourists could be accommodated in them in the future.

City of Ilok Tourist Board
e-mail: turisticka.zajednica.grad.ilok@vk.t-com.hr
web site: www.tzvsz.hr/ilok.php

Iločki podrumi (Ilok Cellars)
e-mail: kontakt@ilocki-podrumi.hr
web site: www.ilocki-podrumi.hr
 

                                                                                                           Upp

Trogir  - Enjoying The Marshlands And Mills

   An old, flawlessly maintained, mill surrounded by other striking attractions can be seen from the main road at the exit from the city of Trogir heading towards Split.
The old mill is located at the site of the once renowned Pantan mills that hail from as far back as the antiquity and whose first records date from the 13th century. There are a total of eight mills in the Pantan mills complex. Only one has been renovated so far but there are plans to renovate the remaining grindstones in order to, as the proprietors have announced, round off the planned project of an educational, cultural and ecological centre where visitors could learn more about grinding wheat, traditional meals and life in the marshlands that surround the entire area.
Pantan is a unique conglomerate of monuments that combines fortifies mills that have, by their stylistic contours, the complexity of their function and economic importance, been a very valuable complex of monuments over many centuries.
The entire complex is also an unique Adriatic marshlands locality, which led recently to it being declared a nature reserve and protected ichthyologic and ornithological area in which a total of 196 bird species have been recorded to date and where six faunal regions have been established, some of which are developed only in fragments while others cover areas of various sizes. Eight species of nesting birds and 13 species of wintering birds have been recorded, as have 41 bird species that seek rest and a break in this marshland area in the autumn during their migratory voyages.
The entire Pantan area is spread over about 50 hectares of marshland, which makes the entire complex an excellent place for one-day excursions and, as it is located in the direct vicinity of the UNESCO-protected old core of the city of Trogir, visitors are guaranteed an interesting tour.

City of Trogir Tourist Board
e-mail: tzg-trogir@st.htnet.hr
web site: www.dalmatia-mid.com/trogir.htm

Split-Dalmatia County Tourist Board
e-mail: info@dalmatia.hr
web site: www.dalmatia.hr                               Upp

Donji Zagon -Vacation On A Cultivated Village Farmstead


  A new destination has appeared on the map of Croatia's offer of rural tourism and on the global map of places recommended to vegetarians – the Rubčić family home in Donji Zagon, situated not far from the Kvarner area city of Novi Vinodolski.
The offer of their rural farmstead is similar, but nevertheless distinct from the surrounding village households because, along with their standard offer, visitors are offered an education of sorts on a style of living and the breeding of the cows that are the principal "inhabitants" of their farmstead. Along with the instructions on the traditional and environmentally friendly breeding of cows the visitors are offered all of their products – the fresh milk, cheese and yoghurt with which the hosts daily complement the vegetarian menu on offer.
The initial idea of the proprietor of the farmstead was only to produce milk and cheese using exclusively ecological methods given that the cows at the farmstead receive only natural feed. But, as tourism started to expand beyond the narrow coastal area, the idea of offering a vacation on a cultivated village farmstead became increasingly one that could easily be turned into a reality. With this aim in mind the ground floor of their house was converted into an apartment with a kitchen, bathroom, living room and two bedrooms that can accommodate from four to six persons.
There are currently three cows and two calves on the farmstead. What is interesting is that the family has opened a sanctuary for cows that former owners, probably because of their own age and deteriorating health, are no longer able to care for. The young family has in this fashion made several excellent moves – it has given a home to cows from which they produce delicious and environmentally friendly dairy products and have opened their doors wide to visitors looking for the peace of a village and the "unusual" company of cows.

Rubčić Family Farmstead
e-mail: isodyan@email.t-com.hr
web site: www.seoski-turizam.net/kravice

City of Novi Vinodolski Tourist Board
e-mail: tzg-novi-vinodolski@ri.htnet.hr
web site: www.tz-novi-vinodolski.hr                    Upp

Crikvenica - E-Tourism Like In London

The city of Crikvenica, a popular Kvarner area tourist destination, has recently acquired a modern electronic system better known as E-Tourism similar to the one recently introduced in the European tourist Mecca of London.
It is a pilot project of an electronic information service in the form of info kiosks into whose system data related to new attractions available in the City of Crikvenica area and its environs is entered daily. The E-Tourism kiosks have been set up at seven locations along the Crikvenica Riviera – from Jadranovo and Dramlje to Selce and can be used by any interested local inhabitant or tourist. Along with all of the available information on the tourist offer, events, happenings in the city and more, you can surf the Internet from the kiosk. The information related to the Crikvenica Riviera is currently available in five languages, soon to be expanded to eleven.
Crikvenica is a well-known Kvarner area tourist centre and climatic sanatorium. With about 2,500 hours of sunlight a year, it is counted among the sunniest places in Europe.
There is a hundred-year tradition of tourism in Crikvenica. The first swimming area was constructed in 1888. Crikvenica got its first hotel three years later and its first tourist guidebook was printed as early as 1891. Crikvenica today boasts a dozen hotels, some thirty resorts, numerous villas and summer residences, well-organised beaches of which three bear the Blue Flag, sports grounds and a nice promenade along the seaside that runs along the entire Riviera, from Selce to Kačjak.
Its nearby surroundings are also interesting. Gorski kotar is only thirty kilometres away, while the island of Krk, Kraljevica, Senj and Novi Vinodolski with its attractive Vinodol valley are in the direct vicinity.

City of Crikvenica Tourist Board
e-mail: tz-grada-crikvenice@ri.htnet.hr
info@tzg-crikvenice.hr
web site: www.tzg-crikvenice.hr
                                                                                  Upp

  Lokve - A Weekend In The Green Heart Of Croatia


If you want to experience nature and enjoy its fruits, the picturesque settlement of Lokve and its surroundings are an excellent choice for an unforgettable weekend. Lokve are situated about thirty minutes by car from Rijeka and about an hour and a half from Zagreb, right in the green heart of Croatia, as this area is often called in Gorski kotar. The area around Lokve offers numerous natural attractions – Lake Lokve, the Golubinjak Woods park, the Lokvarka cave, located right next to it is the Risnjak National Park, while Lokve itself offers attractions adapted to an active vacation in the open. There is something else, however, that makes Lokve special – their trademark is a frog, and it is no wonder that much of the Lokve tourist and gastronomic offer is based on this green amphibian. A frog jumping competition is organised there in April, unique in the entire world. A frog museum has been opened in which visitors can get to know more about the entire life of these amphibians, try frog-shaped candies and the local Lokve liqueur called Frog's Blood (Žablja krv) made of the blueberry, blackberry and raspberry that flourish in the area. Blueberries are a summertime product of Lokve and are the base of a wealth of local cuisine – gnocchi with blueberries, wild boar steak in blueberry sauce and a ladyfinger jelly featuring these tasty berries. During other parts of the year the menu also includes dishes based on other seasonal foodstuffs – mushrooms, fresh trout, wild game ...
Besides the natural phenomenon, Lokve offers many attractions for an active vacation – cycling, paragliding, rafting, spelunking, hunting and fishing, while for those looking for a real rest there is accommodation available in an quiet rural setting or a visit to the Lazac farm and its local "inhabitants" – horses, ponies, rabbits, deer, ducks and chickens.

Municipality of Lokve Tourist Board
e-mail: tzo-lokve@ri.htnet.hr
web site: www.tz-lokve.hr
                                                                 Upp                                            

Mirca – Island Of Brač - The First Museum Of Oil Making In Dalmatia

The first Museum of Oil Making was recently opened in the village of Mirca, located on the northern part of the island of Brač, between Supetar and Sutivan. The village has always been known as a village of oil makers, but also of artists.
The museum, which is in fact still in the development phase, was opened in the premises of the existing oil making facility, constructed in the 1950's. Old machines, photographs and olive products, from oil to the ever more popular olive soap, are for the moment exhibited in one room in which olives will be processed during the harvest. During the summer it will serve as a kind of info-point of the Tourist Board of the nearby town of Supetar and the village of Mirca.
According to the plan for this project, the education of future guides was launched in September. It will be their job to lead tourists through the olive groves and oil presses and teach them about the history of olive growing and of the medicinal qualities of olive oil.
Mirca is a settlement in which only some 300 people live, predominantly farmers, fishermen and those involved in tourism. The village's name suggests a peaceful vacation ("mir" means peace) one can find on the beautiful beaches or among the old stone houses with their stone-paved yards located in the upper part of the village. The lower part of the village, along the shore, has seen a boom in tourism over the past years with apartments and restaurants, but this kind of indigenous tourist offer was lacking.
There are currently seven olive pressing facilities on the island of Brač that can daily process about 200 thousand olives. A noteworthy fact is that the olive oil producers of the island of Brač have earned numerous awards over the past three years for environmentally friendly growing and the production of extra virgin oil of the highest quality.
In keeping with this is the plan for another project – an Olive Road along which tourists could even better get to know the long tradition of olive growing and oil making on the island of Brač.

City of Supetar Tourist Board
e-mail: tzg-supetar@st.htnet.hr
web site: www.supetar.hr

About the Oil Making Museum
web site: www.otok-brac.info                        Upp

Suza u Baranja - Learning Pottery From The Masters

A hundred year old mill on the main street of the picturesque Baranja-region settlement of Suza, located in the Kneževi Vinogradi municipality, will begin to "live its new life" this autumn. After having purchased the abandoned building with its interesting past, the new proprietor has decided to restore the mill and prepare it for tourist visits in order to expand the overall offer of this Baranja-region village.
Final construction work is currently under way at the mill with the first public activities expected already in October. The proprietor's idea is to organise an Open Doors Day during the grape harvest and festivities in Suza and invite anyone interested to the mill. Visitors will be able to try their hand at the two potter's wheels, which will, for the beginning, be the basis of all further activities and workshops that are to be organised there. The proprietor is, namely, an educated potter, and considering the large interest for pottery classes and the interest among tourists for these kinds of old trades, the visitors of the mill will have frequent opportunities to learn something from a true master of the trade. This is precisely why the proprietor has already contacted numerous potters from neighbouring Hungary that are trained in the numerous techniques of working clay and will together with them organise workshops for all interested visitors.
Suza is situated near the largest tourist area in the Baranja region, the Kopački rit nature park, and not far from another top destination, the Bizovac thermal spa. Suza has already been included in one-day excursions as the place is home to an old wine cellar. Among the other attractive locations in the Baranja area are the Tikveš palace complex, the Baranjska kuća ethno restaurant that offers local Slavonian specialities, while on the border with Serbia there is the attractive settlement of Batina that affords a spectacular view of the Danube River, the Bačka region, Hungary and Baranja.

Osijek-Baranja County Tourist Board
e-mail: info@tzosbarzup.hr
web site: www.tzosbarzup.hr

Danijel Astaloš, proprietor
Tel: + 385 31 705 367
GSM: + 385 98 94 55 990                                Upp

Šibenik-Knin County - Ethnoland & Amphitheatres

It is nowadays a rare thing indeed to experience life the way it used to be lived in the Dalmatinska zagora tramontane region, but this will soon be made possible for tourists. Intensive construction of Ethnoland – a stone complex in which the former way of life of the local inhabitants will be exhibited through various themes typical for the region, is underway in Pakovo Selo, situated in the hinterland of the city of Drniš in Šibenik-Knin County.
The entire ethno-complex will be encircled by a drystone wall and a large amphitheatre is being constructed in its centre that will be able to seat some 400 visitors. The amphitheatre is still under construction but the area around it has already be assigned in the construction plan and there will be structures built housing old trades, a blacksmith's workshop, herds of sheep and ethno collections.
Ethnoland, as this noteworthy stone complex has already been dubbed, stretches across about 15 thousand hectares and will be dominated by the large amphitheatre. This will be the third amphitheatre in the county. The first, located on the island of Obonjan (also known as the Island of Youth) was built in the 1970's by young scouts. The second is the renowned Roman military amphitheatre located near the settlement of Ivoševci, between Knin and Drniš. It was uncovered in 2003 and careful research, still ongoing, has revealed that its construction was ordered in the first century of our era by the emperor Vespasian. Large amounts of ceramic, glass and metal artefacts, Roman coins and parts of military equipment have already been found there. Much of the collected artefacts have already been processed and conserved and are ready for exhibition.
The Roman amphitheatre should be opened to the public soon. Access paths have already been prepared and the plan is to open the place to tourist visits and organise various cultural programs in the amphitheatre.

Šibenik-Knin County Tourist Board
e-mail: tz-skz@si.htnet.hr
web site: www.summernet.hr

Pakovo Selo Ethnoland
web site: http://dalmati.com/index.html

About the amphitheatre in Ivoševci
web site: www.tvrdjava-knin.hr/hr/vijesti.php

The Island of Youth (Obonjan)
web site: www.projekt.sibenik.hr/hrv/obonjan.htm
                                                                 Upp               

Dubrovnik - 4th Dubrovnik International Film Festival

The fourth consecutive Dubrovnik International Film Festival (DIFF) will be held in Dubrovnik from October 4 to 8 and will feature screenings of a large selection of top international film productions.
The Dubrovnik Film Festival was established in 2003 and since then numerous film fans and authors have gathered in this city of art every year at the end of September or in early October.
The festival is competitive and special awards are granted along with the customary awards by DIFF categories.
In the field of conventional film productions awards are granted in the categories for best film, best director, best screenplay and best cinematography. The festival also includes short and documentary films for which awards are also granted.
The most significant, however, are the special awards. The Libertas Award is granted to authors in recognition and in honour of their vision and creative expression in their professional film career or, simply put; it is an award for life achievement. The Argosy Award is granted for exceptional individual contribution in the area of filmmaking, while the third award is the People's Award for the best film of the festival.
The festival will be held in the Dubrovnik movie theatre throughout its four days.
This is not, however, the only film festival in Dubrovnik. The second Libertas Film Festival was held at the end of August that saw a large number of fans of both movies and movie stars join the many tourists already in the city. The festival opened with Tommy Lee Jones' film "The Three Burials Of Melquiades Estrada". Among the about fifty film productions was the latest movie by Robert Altman "A Prairie Home Companion" that had its regional premier in Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik Film Festival – DIFF
e-mail: programming@DUBROVNIKiff.org
web site: www.DUBROVNIKiff.org
                                                                       Upp

Koločep - A Vacation For Scientists On the "Island Of Knowledge"

After November of last year saw the launch of the "Island of Knowledge" project, the island of Koločep, which has become its home, has begun to draw growing public attention. The island of Koločep is situated in the Elafiti archipelago near Dubrovnik and, while it has up to now been a typical Dalmatian destination, this project has taken it into a completely new era of development.
Koločep – the Island of Knowledge, has been conceived as a meeting place of various kinds of scientists, students, school groups and for all those with an inclination to intellectual and scientific achievement.
This is not, however, just a summer destination – science symposiums, workshops for both the youngest and most advanced, seminars and a series of varied thematic education meetings will be organised on the island of knowledge throughout the year.
The vision of the organisers of this island project was and remains to create a place far removed from the hustle and bustle of a typical urban centre that would allow for top-level education along with and during traditional and active holidaying.
The Island of Knowledge has created this kind of "sanctuary" for scientists and experts who can in the peace and quiet the island's isolated position affords turn their complete attention to their creative and independent work, while the modern technology and high quality multimedia centre and the option of a permanent and free Internet connection guarantees all of the necessary preconditions for this kind of "vacation". There are other, no less significant, goals and visions for the development of this organisation, such as establishing a system of sustainable development on this somewhat desert island. Most important of all is that the "Island of Knowledge" has already been recognised and well accepted by the general public, top scientific organisations and similar institutions.
It is no wonder then that the reconstruction of the island's infrastructure has been undertaken with such enthusiasm. Final construction work is ongoing on the renovation of the Villa Lovor that will house the administrative offices of the Island of Knowledge, and the Villa Ruža, whose accommodations will be added to the existing ones in the hotel Koločep, is also under renovation.

Island of Knowledge – Koločep
e-mail: info@otok-znanja.hr
web site: www.otok-znanja.hr

                                                                    Upp

Zagreb - The Metropolis Gets Two New Accommodation Facilities

Two new top-end accommodation facilities have been opened in Zagreb this September. The first is the Hotel Antunović Zagreb, a luxury nine-floor hotel that also houses a commercial-business centre with a guarded parking lot and filling station.
The Hotel Antunović Zagreb spreads over about 30 thousand square metres. The hotel offers some 200 classic accommodation units, 10 luxury suites and a 200 square metre presidential suite. Along with the accommodation capacities and restaurants the hotel has well-equipped wellness and congress centres. Especially attractive is the cafe & bar located in a rotating cupola on the hotel's top floor that offers an excellent view of Zagreb and Zagreb's Sljeme peak.
The Antunović Centre is located in the Špansko district, in the southwestern part of Zagreb, and is near the Zagreb bypass from where it is a twenty minute drive to the city centre which makes the hotel, as its owner points out, an excellent place for the business traveller to whom this hotel is primarily targeted.
Also opening, on Zagreb's well-known Sljeme excursion area, is the renovated apartment house Snježna kraljica (Snow Queen). A total of 17 suites will be available to guests that will, with a crackling fire burning in the open hearths, be sure to create a romantic atmosphere. Also on the bill is a restaurant adapted to the alpine ambient offering traditional local cuisine.
The Snježna kraljica is located on the very peak of Sljeme in the direct vicinity of the ski trails, and considering that it offers saunas and whirlpools, this will be an excellent opportunity for skiers to relax in nature and snow after the day's work is done.

City of Zagreb Tourist Board
e-mail: urednik@zagreb-touristinfo.hr
web site: www.zagreb-touristinfo.hr

Antunović Centre Zagreb
e-mail: info@antunovic.hr
web site: www.antunovic.hr

Snježna kraljica
e-mail: snjezna.kraljica@sljeme.hr
web site: www.sljeme.hr
 
                                                                Upp

Cruise Idea Number 7: Heading Out From Dubrovnik
Lopud, Prožura, Pomena, Korčula, Okuklje, Šipan harbour


 Alternatively: Kalamota, Trsteno, Suđurađ, Kozarica (Mljet), Polače (Mljet), Lumbarda, Orebić.
Special moments: the tranquillity and unassertiveness of the Elafiti islands, the green wilderness of Mljet, the harmony of Korčula.
What to look out for: the northeasterly Bura under Pelješac (Žuljana, Trstenik), the sea currents at Harpoti.

Magnificent Dubrovnik deserves to be visited seven times every summer. Before we describe these seven days to you, we invite all those who sail: wherever it is you usually sail, turn your prow again or for the first time towards the proud City, weigh anchor for at least a day or two under the banner bearing the word "Libertas".
And now the cruise idea. There is not much to ponder: nature gave Dubrovnik the stunning Elafiti islands and wondrous Mljet. The sail to the harmony of the city of Korčula and back is certainly one of the most beautiful on the Croatian Adriatic Sea.
Sail, then, first through the Elafiti islands, a singular archipelago that stretches between Dubrovnik and Pelješac. Stop at Lopud on day one (7.5 miles from Gruž or Mokošica), a green island with a charming beach, enormous palm trees along the promenade and pleasant small restaurants. (If you have children on board make sure to take them swimming to the large sandy beach in Šunj bay on the island's eastern side.)
Sail out immediately the next morning to the open sea to await the mistral; you'll be back to the Elafiti islands once more on your return. There are some fifteen miles to Prožura or Sobra, but if you have to sail in the mistral it will be somewhat more. Mljet will immediately reveal its dark green slopes and incomparable tranquillity. Weighing anchor in the protection of the islands off Prožura is an excellent choice, and you can have an excellent meal in the Marijina konoba restaurant. On day three sail to the western point of Mljet and enter the large Polače bay, additionally protected by a series of islands off its entrance. In the westernmost part of the bay you will have the impression that you are on a lake. If you want to visit the "real" lakes (fresh, but not freshwater) that most visitors come to the island to see, you will have to go to Pomena. At the waterfront in front of the hotel Odisej you are sure to find a free berth, or you can drop anchor in a prettier spot under the islet of Pomeštak. Not far from the hotel are several restaurants. From here you should take a pleasant stroll through a dense pine forest to the renowned lakes of Mljet. There is no solid proof, but from Homer's work it can be surmised that Odysseus found harbour here. There is no more beautiful place in the Mediterranean than this.
On the next day sail the 14 miles to the city of Korčula. On your way be sure to stop off the sandy beaches of Lumbarda, two of the best-known Adriatic wines are enjoyed here: Pošip and Grk. In the evening sail into the pleasant marina in Korčula. Take your time touring the city because the harmony of these narrow streets encircled by the town's impressive walls and towers is comparable only to Dubrovnik itself!
Spend as much of day five as you can around Badija, Planjka, Vrnika and some of the other forested islets off Korčula or cross the Pelješac channel and tour some of the captain's houses of proud Orebić. Now that you are on the Pelješac side, continue on to Žuljana bay and to Trstenik harbour and Žuljana. The latter is surrounded by a beautiful beach and a dense forest. That same afternoon it is time to head back south – along the Mljet channel the mistral will push you right up to the cove of Okuklje, hidden like a small lake at the lower end of Mljet. Here too there is a family restaurant on the very seashore. You will spend the night with the feeling that no one could find you there.
On the second last day head out straight towards the secluded stone cleft called Harpoti between Jakljan and Šipan. You need not fear the high power line overhead, the electric power cables are suspended a full 46 metres above the sea. Beyond Harpoti, Šipan harbour will appear suddenly to your right. You can spend the last night of your wanderings here but do not miss the opportunity to weigh anchor before that in one of the three cosy coves on the northeastern side of Jakljan. Šipan harbour is sure to win you over with its tranquillity and the deep greenery that surrounds it. The Kod Marka restaurant, owned by Marko Prižmić, is certainly one of the best on the Adriatic seaboard. Keep in mind that there is a wind that often blows here, similar to the tramontana, which blows from Ston bay from whence it derives its name – stončica.
And finally, you have only to set out the next morning back to the City of cities. Do not miss the opportunity to enjoy another swim on the southern shores of Lopud, on Kalamota (the real name of Koločep) or in the large bay of Zaton on the coast near Dubrovnik.
There are two excellent restaurants here, Mali raj in Veli Zaton and the Gverović family's Orsan in Mali Zaton, known far and wide. There is another excellent restaurant of the same in a yachting club also bearing this name in the bay of Gruž harbour where you can find berthing if any of the berth owners are off sailing. To the other, northeastern side of the bay, alongside the waterfront on the city's main street are twenty spots to berth. The most beautiful and safest place to berth in the city is the Komolac marina in the deep bay of Rijeka dubrovačka.

                                                                                   Upp
                                                                                     

                                                                          

                                                                  Kroatiska Turistbyrån