Dalmatia - Dubrovnik
Heaven on Earth
Walls are built to protect treasures, and in Dubrovnik this is particularly accurate, with 1,940 metres of stone surrounding one of the world’s most beautiful cities.
“The Pearl of the Adriatic” has captivated and seduced kings and artists for centuries with its immaculate medieval architecture. How will it inspire you?
Where to go
Routes of Old Sea Captains
The routes of the old sea captains traverse an area of turbulent history and struggles for freedom, an area where trade, seafaring and shipping have been developed since ancient times and where life has always been lived in harmony with the sea and the rivers. Visit the ancient home of seafaring on the peninsula of Pelješac in the Maritime Museum in Orebić, the cradle of sea captains; in Korčula, the birthplace of Marco Polo; in the historical city of Dubrovnik, which was an independent republic for centuries, and this treasured tradition has continued in the modern-day sea and river ports of Ploče and Metković. In these parts, nature has crafted the wondrous landscapes of the Neretva Delta, a meeting-place between the river and the sea, the lowlands and the karst, the lake and the wetlands; of the eternal beauty of the Mljet National Park, with its lakes; the Elafiti islands of Koločep, Lopud and Šipan, with their Renaissance atmosphere and the diverse, mellow landscapes of Konavle. Look towards the open sea where fierce battles were once fought, where freedom was defended, and towards which merchant ships sailed the waters with billowing sails.
Dubrovnik Old Town
With its unique political and cultural history and world-renowned buildings, it’s no wonder Dubrovnik is a UNESCO heritage site.
Lastovsko otočje
The waters of Lastovo allow true lovers of maritime life to indulge themselves fully, and only experienced yachtsmen sail these distant islands.
Mljet
Located in the western region of the island of Mljet, the most richly wooded island in the Adriatic, the park is renowned for its deep bays, large lake and small lake, lush and diverse Mediterranean vegetation and rich cultural heritage, with a twelfth-century Benedictine Monastery on the island
Stećci - Mediaeval Tombstones
The so-called “stećci” are monumental mediaeval tombstones, mostly carved out of limestone and usually rectangular in shape and with a flat or gable-top surface.
Cavtat – The Old Town Core
Cavtat - a town of many palaces, residences and monuments from Roman times is located on the western shores of Konavle. Underwater Cavtat is the largest underwater site for amphorae in the Adriatic and the Mediterranean.
Konavle – Croatia’s southern most tip
Konavle is located at the southern-most tip of Croatia, on the South-eastern part of today’s Dubrovnik Riviera. With the purchase of this area in the 15th century, the Dubrovnik Republic completed its territory.
Korčula – The Town of Marco Polo
As the historical heart of the island of the same name, the city of Korčula is one of the best preserved medieval towns on the Mediterranean. The birthplace of Marco Polo, it boasts a heritage rich in history, architecture and culture.
Lokrum Island Beaches
If you want to escape the summer temperature and crowds, your best choice is the island of Lokrum and the beauty of enjoying sunbathing or simply relaxing in the shade of the thick pine tree woods.
Narona Archeological Museum
The region’s historical heritage is best represented by the ancient town of Narona, the village of Vid near Metković.
Neretva / Baćina Lakes
The Neretva is one of those rivers which with their richness and force create awe on whichever section we encounter them. This is particularly so at its mouth, which is, in fact, the only delta in these regions.
Pelješac – Shells and Red Wine Lovers' Paradise
Pelješac, the famous center of sailors and seamen, is today a tourist destination known for its superior gastro- enologic offer.
Saplunara Beach
The area of Saplunara is a protected landscape, due to which this place is a paradise for lovers of nature, peace and quiet.
Šunj Beach
Šunj beach is located on the southern end of the island of Lopud and is the most famous sandy beach of the Dubrovnik region.
The Town Walls of Ston
This fortified complex dating from the fourteenth century is unique due to its length of 5.5 kilometres, monumental size and its defence structures and urban layout.
Tourists join the mandarin harvest
Dolina Neretve, also known as the ‘mandarin valley‘, is the host to more and more tourists who are looking for an active holiday and are welcomed by the hospitable locals of Metković, Opuzen, Komin and other nearby areas.
Trsteno
Trsteno is the oldest organized public garden in Dalmatia (1502) and presently the only arboretum in the entire coastal part of Croatia.
Vela cave
On the southern slopes of the hill Pinski rat an archaeological finding site was discovered, testimony to man living in this area in prehistory.
Vela Luka
Vela Luka is a place of very talented artists and musicians, a place of interesting traditions and rich cultural heritage. Traces of life in this area go back deep into the past, as visible in the numerous archaeological finds from Vela Spila...
Once upon a time, Dubrovnik was one of the smallest but most important merchant states in the Mediterranean. It had consular offices in more than 80 cities. Its fleet of almost 700 merchant ships rivaled that of Venice. Under the heavenly patronage of St. Blasius and crowned by the famous Libertas banner flying from a high stone pillar guarded by its legendary knight Orlando, Dubrovnik is a city whose story is best told by the city itself. Walk along its main street, Stradun, whose stone pavement has been polished smooth by feet that have walked it for hundreds of years. The city’s glorious walls, fortresses and bastions offer a view of the magical Elaphite islands - Šipan, Lopud and Koločep, scattered like pearls in the azure of the sea. Named Elaphite islands after the Latin word Elaphos for deer, this archipelago, which used to be the habitat of this noble wild game, concentrates all the qualities of the untouched Mediterranean, featuring subtropical vegetation, expansive pine tree forests and olive groves, all surrounded by amazing sandy beaches.
About the time that Marco Polo set sail for terra incognita, his hometown began to develop into a kind of urban sculpture built of stone with regular lines. That sculpture remains well preserved to this day. The streets of Korčula were carefully laid out by a local builder who was also an ingenious town planner. The streets are based on a fishbone pattern and are a true blessing in the summer. Although they bask in the golden glow of the sun both morning and afternoon, the heat of the midday sun is directed around them. If you want to experience the atmosphere of Korčula, may the good winds bring you here in July, when the city plays host to the International Festival of Song and Wine, celebrating the famous traveller, the Festival of Chivalry and the traditional sword dances performed in original costumes dating from the 16th century. The dances depict the struggle between the white king and the black king.
The town of Orebić - renowned centre of maritime affairs in the 18th century - is a popular site for visiting art historians. Full of beautiful stone palaces and villas, whose facades reflect the wealth and life of luxury led by the families of seafaring men, and particularly striking for its magnificent gardens containing the most exotic plants that mariners brought from all corners of the world, Orebić is indeed a place that will remain etched in your memory.
If you have ever been inspired by the legend of Odysseus, held captive on an island by the nymph Calypso and have wondered what the famous Ogygia looked like, then the island of Mljet is the place for you.Located in the southernmost part of Croatia, the island has scenery that appears only in picture books of the world’s most beautiful fairy tales. Before your eyes you will see a lake in the middle of the island, and in the centre of that, another small island with a monastery dating from the 12th century. Although Calypso herself may not be nearby, the scene will capture your heart forever and you may never want to leave.
