i-love-dubrovnik

From Dubrovnik to Split, southern Dalmatia

Dubrovnik to Split, southern Dalmatia

If you are planning a vacation to enjoy unspoiled natural surroundings, cities with history, charming villages and fantastic routes, come to Dalmatia. From Dubrovnik to Split I suggest the following route, which I’ve had the pleasure of enjoying for the past six years when southern Dalmatia has become one of my houses…

Dubrovnik. UNESCO World Heritage. You should visit its walls, its streets, its harbor… and take the boat that in 15 minutes will leave you in Lokrum. All calmly, leaving filled with the quiet pace of its people, enjoying a coffee in one of its endless terraces, losing by the narrow streets of the west side… From Dubrovnik you can make trips to various islands in the area: Lopud (with a beautiful white sand beach, too busy for my taste, but very nice), Šipan, Koločep… Multiple agencies in the port of the old town offers day trips to these islands, although I do not advise in this way, because it forces you to spend all day in the same boat and the same group of people … Best from the new port (Gruž) take a ferry line, cheaper and more independent.
From the new port, you can also take a fast ferry to Mljet, leaving in the morning and returning in the afternoon.

All information about ferries: http://www.jadrolinija.hr/default.aspx?dpid=1304

Dubrovnik needs a quiet visit, so I advise to sleep in the old town.

We can move from Dubrovnik to the various islands by ferry, linking the various islands: Mljet, Korčula, Hvar, Brač, to Split or do a combination of road and ferries, which can be more rewarding and less stressful.
I propose the mixed route by road and ferry. Keep in mind that the ferries in summer are quite sought after and if you go by car you will have to place you in line well in advance …

Here’s my proposal, which have already tried several friends and acquaintances and have always been surprised and delighted and looking forward to returning!

From Dubrovnik take the car (you can also catch a bus to Vela Luka (Korčula), in the direction of Split. The road skirts the coast, and pass through numerous villages and small beaches … where we can stop. Where you should stop is in Trsteno, where the ARBORETUM, beautiful garden filled with ancient trees. From the entrance of the village, next to the road, you will see two large oriental plane over 400 years old and 50 meters high …

Ston. The second world’s longest wall after the wall of China … Yes! It’s true. You can also visit the salt flats, oyster’s marine farms … and Mali Ston, a small wonder, where in addition there are good restaurants. Before coming to Ston remember to stop in Mali Ston. And do not forget to try the oysters of Ston!

Mljet. This island contains within it a beautiful protected natural park, which can be visited. With an island within the island. All very well organized. You get to the port of Polače by ferry from Dubrovnik or from Trstenik (on the peninsula of Peljesac). On this route that we are doing we will do from Trstenik. You go on boarding on Trstenik without a car, because the boat is small and we arrive to Polače. A hundred meters from where we left the boat is the gatehouse at the park, where you can buy tickets for access and a van will take you to the park. You can also ride a bike or going on foot. I advise that if you want to rent a bike, better do inside the park. Inside the park also circulating boats to take us to the island within the island.

Pelješac. The peninsula offers a multitude of villages and areas worth visiting, as Žuljana, Kuna, Trstenik, Trpanj, Lovište, Orebić … If you like trekking, I recommend up to the hermitage of “Sant Jordi” (Juraj) from Potomje, from where you have splendid views of the peninsula, Mljet, Korčula and Lastovo … You just have to walk to the church of village of Potomje and from there is a trail to the ridge (height of 200 meters …). Care because it is not stated, but you can ask and you’ll see it’s easy. In any case I have pending request indicating better way …

Area classified as the best wine in Croatia (Wine DINGAČ), you can visit Potomje wineries, and Dingač wine area, with beautiful hillside vineyards leading down to the sea. Do not miss it.

We recommend arriving by car to Lovište, at the end of the peninsula, and enjoy the journey that took you there …

Korčula. From Orebić embark the car to the ferry to the city of Korčula (Korčula on the island). Walled city, flirty and … very beautiful. The birthplace of Marco Polo. The island is beautiful, and it is good that you get lost a little on it, in their towns, but above all, beautiful beaches … From Smokvica turn aside from the coast road towards Brno and follow the direction of Vela Luka …
In Vela Luka you can take the ferry to Hvar.

Hvar. Although the ferry will leave at Havar city, you should also visit Stari Grad.
From Stari Grad (Hvar island) you can go to Split. Hvar is a beautiful island withbeautiful villages, sandy beaches and unspoiled natural environment. Do not miss it…
All information on ferries in: http://www.jadrolinija.hr/default.aspx?dpid=1304

Brač. Multiple options for getting to Brač. From Hvar or from Split.
Another beautiful island. Here are small beaches along the coast. If you look for on internet you will see many pictures of the beach of BOL, where beach changes as the wind blows … It depends on your intentions, as in Hvar, you can visit beautiful villages, hiking, beach, etc …

Split. Ending the route in the palace of Diocletian, from thousands of years of history and thousands of people still living in it, is a dream. What else can I say? You must discover it. But besides history, Split has a frenzied pace, with ferries coming and going continually to Brač, Hvar, Korčula, … and at night a great atmosphere!

Other places that i will visit in the future are:
Vis.
Lastovo.

From Dubrovnik there are many possibilities for visiting Cavtat, Konavle area, Herzegovina, Mostar, Sarajevo (Bosnia), Kotor (Montenegro) … but i will explain this in another time.

If you have comments, questions or need opinion, write your comment and I will try to answer you as soon as possible.

And enjoy it!