|
|
|
|
|
| Neretva
Delta, Peljesac, Elaphites, Konavle |
<
back |
|
| |
|
|
| |
| Neretva
Delta |
|
| |
|
|
 |
The
Neretva river tract, flowing downstream, widens considerably
once it reaches Pocitelj and than the raging mountainous
river empties into the most indented delta in Croatia.
This is a wonderful landscape where the river meets
the sea, of plains and karst, lakes and marshes. A
pleasant Mediterranean climate is a characteristic
of this region. The average yearly temperature hovers
above 15 degrees Celsius and with more than 2700 hours
of sunshine each year, this makes the Neretva delta
the sunniest part of the Croatian seaboard. The most
well-known characteristic of the lower Neretva landscape
have long been the marshlands with their abundance
of fish and swamp birds. Soil-conservation and land-reclamation
practices in the last few decades have transformed
considerably the regions agriculture, the most famous
being the cultivation of citrus fruits. A wide variety
of flora and fauna are protected with the establishment
of three omithological and ichthyo-ornithological
reserves. The lower Neretva strem is not just a local
feature but a key region in the cycle of migration,
hibernation and the nesting of birds as well as a
hatching ground for numerous types of fish. Bacina
lakes, not far from the traffic route in the Neretva
River valley, is another place of beauty which must
be visited. North-west of the Neretva estuary, only
two kilometres from the port city of Ploce, a series
of six picturesque lakes lie in a rocky valley. The
bottom of Bacina lakes lies below sea-level, while
the lakes surface lies above it. Trade brought the
ancient Greeks to this area, and during the time of
ancient Rome the area was a part of the province of
Dalmatia. The city of Narona was then one of the largest
economic end cultural centres on the Adriatic Coast.
The migration of people here brought Croatians principalities.
The Neretva principality had dominance over the sea
and from the 11th Century was a part of the Croatian
Kingdom. This region is most famous for its gastronomic
specialities. Eels, black water hens and frogs legs,
amongst others, are specialities of the Dalmatian
kitchen and present an excellent reason to visit the
area.
|
| |
| Neretva
- river delta - full day tour |
|
| |
The
Neretva Delta is an area of vast marshland abundant
in flora and fauna sheltering hundreds of species of
birdlife. Cruie in small boats - "trupice"
- through the canals to enjoy the beauty and variety
of the delta. Visit the Ornithological Collection in
the town Metkovic, preserving 229 exhibitis of bird
species. Visit the excavation of ancient Narona (today
a town of Vid) from 1st / 2nd centuries where ramparts,
temples and a forum have been covered by the mud fromthe
river for centuries.
Guide,
local drink, lunch and entrances fees included. Light
sportswear recommended. Passport or equivalent document
required.
|
| Excursions
from Island of Korcula |
| |
| Peljesac |
|
| |
 |
Peljesac
offers one of the most romantic of Adriatic landscapes.
The coast line is dotted with wonderful coves, white
beaches, centuries old cypress trees, fantastic plant-covered
ridges with the fragrance of sage, cool pine forests.
A magnificent view unfolds before you from the peak
of St. Ilijas Mountain (961 m). From this position,
one can see the entire island of Korcula as well as
the island of Hvar, Vis, Mljet, Lastovo. The monastery
and Church of the Holy Mother of Angels above Orebic
have been erected on the most attractive site, where
one can rest ones gaze upon one of the loveliest Dalmatian
channels in which rugged hills melt with groups of
small islands and brown ridges with oleander and forests
of cypress and pine. Two picturesque towns, Little
and Large Ston, are positioned in between the peninsula
and dry land. With Dubrovnik, they were the most important
and well-secured sites in the in the Dubrovnik Republic.
Strong mediaeval walls protected the possesions and
property of the wealthy citizens of the Republic on
Peljesac. Between the peninsula and dry land, a small
bay in Little Ston was carved out which the local
townsfolk call the Little Sea. During archeological
digs, petrified oyster shells have been discovered,
which proves that shellfish was a part of peoples
diets while coral was used as an instrument of adornment,
bred in this area for over a thousand years. In spite
of the rugged environment, hardworking agricultural
workers succeeded for centuries in preserving the
fertile earth. Aside from vegetable and fruit production,
they have also succeeded in producing world renowned
wine such as Dingac and Postup, a favourite souvenir
and gift which will please every wine expert. Orebic
and the entire Peljesac riviera, along with Kuciste
and Viganj have been homes to sailors from time immemorial.
The most dazzling period of this tradition was in
the last century when it was, along with its 60 or
so big sailing boats, the second largest maritime
port on the east coast of the Adriatic. At the peak
of their wealth, renowned families built in Orebic
stone houses of exceptional beauty.
|
| |
| The
wine trail - full day tour |
|
| |
This trip
takes us from Korcula across the Peljesac Canal to Orebic
on the peninsula of Peljesac. We resume our drive by a comfortable
coach through vineyards and olive groves to Ponikve. Visit
the wine cellar of Milos family, where we shall taste a typical
local wine. Follows a visit to the Matusko family wine cellar
for another wine tasting. We proceed then to Prizdrina, where
a traditional welcome will be extented by the Bartulovic family.
Enjoy lunch in truly warm family ambience before our return
drive.
Guide,
lunch and wine tasting included
|
| Excursions
from Island of Korcula |
| |
| Elaphites |
|
| |
 |
The
sea-covered part of this region actually much larger
than the land. The sea abounds with islands, both
large and small. Archipelagos of tiny islets netle
of the coast of the larger islands, such as Korcula,
Mljet and Lastovo. Larger island villages have their
own islets, which they use for various purposes. Some
of them were used as quarries and others as pastures
for sheep or for the growing of timber and firewood.
Still more are dedicated to God or to patron saints
and are empty save for a solitary church or monastery.
In old times, the worlds smallest cathedral was located
on the island of Mrkan. The three Elaphite islands
- Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan - are self - contained
worlds. They are large enough to provide all that
is necessary for a comfortable life. Each of them
is like a huge garden criss-crossed by footpaths that
connect two large bays on the opposite sides of the
island. On Kolocep, each of these bays harbours a
small fishing village protected by a fortress; on
the path between the two villages, you will pass a
dozen ancient churches, about half of which are valuable
architectural monuments. On Lopud island, only the
western bay harbours a village: elegant summer residences
rubbing shoulders with sailors homes a fortified Franciscan
monastery, the Doges palace, the Dominican monastery
and several churches built by seafaring men. On Sipan,
the two villages, both of them boasting picturesque
summer residances, are situated on opposing bays and
are separated by a large field, flanked by churches,
summer residences and the Doges palace. This cultivated
paysage reveals the residents talent for combining
the leisur of a holiday in the country with the benefits
of agriculture. The compact beauty of the Elaphites
creates the illusion, voiced aloud more than once,
that no one can die there.
Kolocep - This picturesque Adriatic island,
close at hand to Dubrovnik, occupies an area of 2.35
square kilometres. There are two settlements, in the
two largest coves of the island: Gornje Celo and Donje
Celo. From the east and west it is overgrown with
thick pine forests that drop right down to the edge
of the sea. The clear blue sea abounds in fish and
shellfish. Until a few centuries ago, the inhabitants
of Kolocep were the most renowned coral divers of
the Mediterranean, though today only a few go down
for the coral, out of pure love. A sign of the antiquity
of habitation here, going back to ancient times, can
be found in the many monuments, among which a special
place is taken by the remains of sarcophagi, stone
sculptures, chapels and churches. The 15th century
is considered to be the golden age of the island of
Kolocep, a time when the greatest number of summer
palaces were built by the Dubrovnik aristocracy. Many
renaissance masterpieces, myths, stories and countless
legends were born within the shade of the scented
plants and trees found in these rural settings. Discover
them for yourselves. Perhaps, the story about the
golden slipper, or even the tender love story between
Macus and Cavalinka. Already the first encounter with
the island of Kolocep cannot leave you unmoved. You
will be intoxicated with the still calm, the scent
of the Mediterranean plants and the intensity of the
colours of the Adriatic. When you have been here once,
you will always want to come back again.
Lopud - The island in the middle, as it has
been called since time out of mind, is located between
the two largest Elafit Islands, Kolocep and Sipan.
In the northwest there is a settlement with the same
name, and in the southeast a unique sunny cove called
Sunj. A stroll acrros the whole island from Lopud
to this miraculously lovely beach with its reddish
sand and always calm sea, the colours of which shimmer
from golden yellow to dark blue, will make your break
here quite unforgettable. And you can find gorgeous
sandy beaches in the village itself, where slender
palms will provide a shelter from the heat of the
meridional sun, together with the great fragrant magnolia
trees and the lush pines of the islands gardens and
parks. The well-preserved medieval architecture with
its many summer residences puts Lopud among the best
examples of landscaping of the entire Dubrovnik area.
But it is not only nature that has been kindly disposed
towards Lopud; it has also been much loved by mankind.
For thousands of years, large and small masterpieces
have been created, beauties described in stone, on
canvas and on paper. The island is everywhere scattered
with fortresses, little churches and monasteries rich
in works of art. Do not miss out on a gentle evening
stroll to Benesin Rat, a retreat from the hubbub of
the qoutidian, or the pleasure of seeing the scarlet
sun meld with the sea on the horizon.
Sipan - Called Golden Island since time out of
mind, this is the biggest and most populated of the
Elafit Islands. The mild clime, the ideal position
and fertile dolomite field, located between two limestone
ridges, are still a challenge for every visitor. The
whole island is overgrown with Mediterranean maquils,
but it is also rich in vineyards and olive groves.
As well as the two major settlementes, Sudjuradj in
the southeast and Sipanska Luka in the southwest,
there are smaller hamlets scattered over the whole
of the island, in the coves, on the hilly slopes and
in the vales. On the landward side of the island there
are many shelters, natural anchorages. On the seaward
side, however, the sea, constantly lapping against
the stone shore, has carved out rocks and cliffs of
the most diverse forms. In this little space, of an
improbably great cultural tradition, there are an
enormous number of monuments, over thirty churches,
several monasteries, and some three score Gothic and
Renaissance summer residences of the well-to-do. The
islanders are famed for their hospitality, and will
be happy to take you out into the fields or on their
boats fishing, regale you with organically grown food
and the gold from their fertile vineyards. On Sipan,
quite unlike anywhere else, you can wander for hours
along the beaten paths, but you can also find one
for yourself alone, used by just the occasional wild
creature, perhaps. There are few such untouched places
left in the world today.
|
| |
| Konavle |
|
| |
 |
The
Dubrovnik riviera begins in Konavle. This is the most
southern region, full of fertile valleys surrounded
by mountains which border Bosnia-Hercegovina, while
towards the sea rim, high Konavlian cliffs lead down
towards the bay of Prevlaka, the port of Molunat and
the town of Cavtat. The variety of landscapes of Konavle
have attained and preserved a harmony between natural
beauty, cultivated and cultural tradition of the wealthy
agricultural industry, indigenous stone architecture,
statues and sacral objects, and a rich folk tradition
whose lovely and harmonious attributes finds their expression
in Konavles folk costume and the beautiful women who
wear them. Konavle can be experienced and enjoyed in
many differnt ways: rural tourism, traditional folk
performances, walks and excursions to historically significant
buildings, archeological sites, fortifications, and
a visit to the mountains in search of the source of
the river. For lovers of calm and peaceful surroundings,
a visit to the Franciscan monastery is recommended (it
is the process of reconstruction). For those who enjoy
activity, they are welcome to delight in a swim in the
crystal clear sea or to enjoy a sport of nigh-time fishing.
They are welcome to enjoy the gastronomic offerings
of the Dalmatian kitchen and to appreciate the aesthetic
of the local embroidered handicrafts. And after all
this, pleasure is to be found in the quality of the
catering provided by hotels, villas and restaurants
in Cavtat. This small town, with its mediaeval character,
offers distinctive and rich opportunities to visit art
galleries and book shops and to enjoy the natural beauty
of the surroundings. This modern leisure experience,
it the crowning feature of ones stay in Konavle. t is
a real treat to savour the "prsut" (smoked
ham), kopsica, lamb and baked potatoes washed down with
a glass of Malvasia, sitting in the shade of an old
Konavli house, listening to the sound of the Ljuta stream.
|
| |
| |
|
| |
 |
 |
 |
| |
|
| |
| Dubrovnik
- Neretva County - City and Region |
| |
| <
back |
|
| |
|
|
|
