Croatia is a glorious country I’ve been exploring for over two decades, one even as a veteran travel writer I never get bored of. I’ve been here dozens of times and have written half a dozen books on Croatia. I mean, how could you ever get bored of an Adriatic nation with over 1,200 islands to choose from?
The great explorer Marco Polo was said to have been born on the Croatian island of Korcula. If he was you can see why he was so inspired to venture off across the horizon. This is an epic land of big, blue skies, cobalt seas and shimmering islands, an oasis that is constantly inspiring. With the Voyageurs Collection, you can explore seven of my favourite Croatian islands.
Hvar -This is one the most dreamily romantic of all the Croatian islands. It is renowned as the sunniest in the country and is also famous for the scent of wild lavender, which wafts across this beautiful Dalmatian gem. It’s easy to see why the international jet set are huge fans of Hvar, with A-lister celebrities often seen in the glitzy bars and superb restaurants of Hvar Town. With the Voyageurs Collection you can explore by bike or scooter and really get to discover the best of what this idyllic island has to offer. The island is also renowned for its wines, which you can enjoy amidst the spectacular scenery it was cultivated in.
Lokrum – Many people visit the ancient city of Dubrovnik and wonder what that intriguing island is that hovers like an Adriatic dream just offshore. With the Voyageurs Collection you don’t have to wonder any more as an a la carte option on their Dubrovnik trips is a kayak adventure out to Lokrum. Virginal Lokrum has little built on its bar the remains of a Napoleonic Fort and a church. It feels a million miles away from the busy streets of Dubrovnik. It’s great for snorkelling too, which you can enjoy before heading back to the city. The view on the way back is breathtaking as the massive ramparts rise like a giant leviathan out of the Adriatic and it becomes instantly clear why the producers of Game of Thrones chose Dubrovnik as their key location.
Brijuni Islands – Brijuni would be well worth visiting if it was ‘just’ a flora and fauna packed national park. But – and this is a huge but – it offers an intriguing history that is unique in Croatia. Socialist-era strongman Tito chose this spectacular hideaway as his private island retreat. A host of world leaders and royals, including Fidel Castro, Ho Chi Minh and Britain’s Queen Elizabeth, came to visit him, leaving behind a rich legacy of striking, at times surreal, gifts, such as an elephant! This fascinating island really is like no other. Your Voyageurs Collection bike adventure ends with a visit to the fascinating Tito Museum.
Krk – This wildly beautiful island in the Kvarner Gulf is unusual in that it is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Your Voyageurs Collection base is the seaside resort of Baska, a great place to relax on the beach and enjoy the view of crystal clear waters ahead and swaying emerald pine trees behind you. As well as fine food and wine, don’t miss the Church of St Lucia in Jurandvor near Baska, where a Glagolitic script was found, which has been dated to around 1100AD. It is the oldest known mention of the word ‘Croatia’ and the church here still houses a copy. Krk is also a haven for hikers so you can get your boots on and strike out into the wilds.
Korcula – The island of Marco Polo is also a seriously family friendly island. Indeed I’ve taken my own family to this Dalmatian oasis and they all loved it. Korcula Town is a glorious Venetian-era mini-Dubrovnik. A visit to Marco Polo’s House is a must as is a stroll around its narrow stone streets. Enter through the grand Venetian Gate and the centrepiece is St. Mark’s Square, where the Renaissance lives on and the town’s cathedral stands proud. Move beyond Korcula Town and island is blessed with beaches, vineyards (check out the island’s unique own wine, Grk), pine trees and a palpable time stands still vibe.
Brac – The local marble found on the Dalmatian island of Brac, which relines just a short ferry trip from the coastal city of Split, is of such high quality that it was not only used to fashion Split’s Diocletian’s Palace, but also the Hungarian Parliament in Budapest and the White House in Washington. Brac is also home to Croatia’s most revered beach, Zlatni Rat, which translates as the ‘Golden Cape’. You can walk to the beach from your Voyageurs Collection hotel, or if you are feeling more active bash on for a hike up the mountain of Vidova Gora, which soars high above. Its peak is the highest on any of the Croatian islands and offers unbeatable views. Another highlight is the historic Blaca Hermitage, which was founded by Franciscan hermits in the 16th century, when it was an important centre of the Glagolitic language and culture.
Cres – Another remarkable island you can visit on an a la carte basis with Voyageurs Collection is this dreamy Kvarner Gulf escape. Not as developed or glitzy as some of the other more famous Croatian islands, Cres offers a taste of the Croatian islands how they once were. The scents of myrtle, lavender and rosemary fill the air as little fishing boats bob in waterfront villages and farmers work the land. With a private guide on your Voyageurs Collection trip you can savour the medieval reliefs of Cres Town and Beli, plus a weaver’s workshop and an eco-centre dedicated to the preservation of the Griffon Vulture.
This post comes in association with the Voyageurs Collection. Here is a link to their swathe of Croatian itineraries.
