short breaks destinations True Seen Split? Done ? Adriatic island Korcula is a good short-break alternative, finds Mary Novakovich blue

t’s one of Croatia’s largest Korcula from the Peljesac walls is a delight, with narrow Moreska sword dance, a dazzling Iislands and a favourite with peninsula that snakes its way alleyways of stone houses spectacle that is held in an open- holidaymakers cruising through northwest of Dubrovnik. Unlike fanning out from the centre in the air theatre every Monday and the Adriatic, but Korcula is much many of the islands in the shape of a fishbone. In the centre Thursday during the summer. more than a stop on a busy Adriatic, Korcula has a lush, is tiny St Mark’s Square, which is Much of Korcula’s charm lies in itinerary. green and quite hilly interior, dominated by the 15th-century its lively atmosphere – especially Ringed by medieval walls, with a heavily indented coastline St Mark’s Cathedral, the Treasury in the cafes and restaurants that Korcula Town, the island’s capital, harbouring pebbly beaches. Museum and the Town Museum. make the most of the sea views is the big draw. But even on a For holidaymakers taking the Around the corner is the as they curve around the short break, clients can discover catamaran from Dubrovnik or the house that the islanders insist peninsula. Just before sunset,

some of the island’s peaceful ferry from Orebic on the Peljesac was the birthplace of Marco visitors make a beeline for a n villages, enchanting beaches and peninsula, their first sight of the Polo, and a whole industry has Massimo’s, a cocktail bar on top – unexpectedly – some of island is the creamy limestone sprung up around this belief. of the 15th-century Zakerjan o bioci v i the best wine in Croatia. of Korcula Town’s fortifications Whether or not you accept the Tower at the northern tip of the / tb

ringing a small peninsula, with story, there is plenty for clients peninsula. Once you climb the n w Sell: Capital charms terracotta rooftops rising above. looking for culture and Croatian ladder at the top, you’ve earned A narrow channel separates A stroll within Korcula Town’s folklore. The most popular is the the fabulous views of the PICTURES: c

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coastline as the sun goes down. coast. The island’s main artery, as does the Vela Spila cave in The beaches around Korcula the D118, leads to the village of the olive groves above the town. Town are mainly rocky or has a , the oldest in Korcula. This eerie limestone cavity looks pebbly, so advise clients to bring Lunch at the rustic little Konoba like something out of Indiana swimming shoes. There is a wonderfully laid-back Mate restaurant is worth booking, Jones, and archaeological digs sandy beach about a 20-minute atmosphere and – especially after a morning spent continually reveal more treasures. walk from the old town at Luka a rarity in Croatia – ; adam batterbee at the gorgeous pebbly beach at Pupnatska Luka. w Korculanska. Clients can also take sandy beaches obbo Stay: Seaside chic a water taxi to Badija, one of the Carry on further west to the The luxury boom that has been islands in the Skoji archipelago, village of , which, along spreading along Croatia’s coast ; STUDIO g which has a Franciscan monastery r with Cara, is the centre of the and some of the islands has been as well as quiet beaches. production of posip, a floral slow in reaching Korcula. While STUHA

o white wine whose vineyards there is a smattering of high-end

w See: Beaches OR R dominate the centre of the island. hotels, most are comfortably mid- V and vines Snorkellers will want to check range. The most luxurious option /DA

Fewer than four miles from RIGHT: tb out the small, secluded pebbly in Korcula Town is the Lesic Dimitri St Mark’s Cathedral n Korcula Town – and connected by beach at Zitna, near the village of Palace, a sumptuous, exquisitely bus and water taxi – is the fishing FAR RIGHT: Zavalatica. designed residence of five suites

village of Lumbarda. It doesn’t Moreska sword dance PICTURES: c Holidaymakers arriving from in an 18th-century bishop’s palace. have the buzzing air of the capital, Split will dock in the port of Vela Each suite has an exotic theme – nor its day-trippers and cruise Luka, at the westernmost end of Arabian, Indian, Venetian among visitors. But what it does have is a the long stretches of sand make night fish barbecues in front of of Croatia’s finest white wines, of the seven wineries in the To explore the rest of the the island. Although it’s Korcula’s them – as well as fitted kitchens. wonderfully laid-back atmosphere them popular with families. the little village beach. It’s the grk, but it’s unlikely most visitors village. The three largest, Bire, island, holidaymakers will need to largest town, it doesn’t have the Less than a 10-minute walk and – a rarity in Croatia – sandy During the summer season, chance to try freshly caught will have heard of it, as it’s made Zure and Popic, don’t require hire a car or a scooter, especially same flow of tourists – but its from Korcula Town’s historic beaches. The two main ones are which begins in June, Lumbarda’s sardines, snapper and squid in a only in Lumbarda. Wine lovers appointments – just turn up for if they want to visit the beautiful western location gives it some centre is the boutique Hotel on the eastern side of the village, mellow mood steps up a gear – festive atmosphere. can taste the delicious dry white tastings of grk and the robust beaches that are tucked into stupendous sunsets. Fishing and Korsal, an elegant four-star with Bilin Zal and Vela Przina, and mainly in the form of its Friday The sandy soil produces one for themselves by visiting any red, plavac mali, also made there. the deep coves of the southern olive oil production keep it busy, only 18 rooms. Set within

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RIGHT: Popic winery

FAr RIGHT: Zitna beach

BELOW: Hotel Borik

gardens on the seafront, it’s just a few Prestige Holidays has a five-night bed- steps from a little pebble beach. and-breakfast break at Tara’s Lodge, While the Korsal is suitable for The eerie limestone cavity departing April 14, from £747 per couples, families might prefer the looks like something person, including flights and transfers. much larger Hotel Liburna slightly In Lumbarda, the Hotel Borik is a further along the bay. All 112 rooms out of Indiana Jones, friendly three-star facing the small ASK THE have sea views, and there’s an outdoor and digs continually village beach. There’s an outdoor pool EXPERT pool, tennis courts and a kids’ club, as reveal more treasures as well as bike and kayak hire. The well as a pebble beach. rooms are simple – the ones in the rear For contemporary chic, Tara’s annexe have balconies with sea views – David Skillicorn, Lodge offers a classy escape in a but the welcome is exceptionally warm. general manager, modern hotel overlooking the bay at offers plenty of activities for clients Four nights’ bed and breakfast starts Prestige Holidays Zrnovska Banja. It’s about two and a who don’t wish to stray far including at £325 per person, also with Prestige Korcula is a half miles west of Korcula Town, which yoga, bike tours, kayaking, snorkelling, Holidays, for a May 19 departure, fabulous island and is accessible by water taxi. The hotel paddleboarding and boat tours. including flights and transfers. we’re delighted about the improved catamaran services, meaning faster access from neighbouring islands,` and from Dubrovnik and Split. Roads on the island have been improved, and we are featuring an absolute gem of a new hotel there. Tara’s Lodge is elegant, boutique and funky, even offering boat trips out with the owner to go octopus watching – and handling. We expect Korcula to sell very well, as it always does.”

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