Hvar, Korcula and Dubrovnik. Hrvatska
Hvar, the Island of sunshine with stunning views and amazing sunsets. There’s a constant buzz of people coming and going. Enjoy chilled out days in Hvar town with the beautiful cathedral and fort, an afternoon siesta is recommended in the intense heat and at night you can party till whenever if you so choose. For a calmer pace of life take a short hop by catamaran to Korcula. Enjoy the laid back vibe of the restaurants and bars and watch the world go by before the next leg of your journey.
Dubrovnik, a timeless holiday destination which lives up to the hype. Enjoy the sunshine, freshly caught seafood in a harbour side restaurant with a stunning view and the excellent local wines. Take a walk around the walls or a boat to one of the many islands. Go home relaxed and ready to return again. We did!
Dubrovnik, a timeless holiday destination which lives up to the hype. Enjoy the sunshine, freshly caught seafood in a harbour side restaurant with a stunning view and the excellent local wines. Take a walk around the walls or a boat to one of the many islands. Go home relaxed and ready to return again. We did!
Split, Hvar, Korcula and Dubrovnik Diary Blog - 2011
Day 1 - Monday 29th – Hvar.
Arrived in Split, sunshine! Took a taxi to Split Port after cigarette (when in Croatia!), Found ticket office for the catamaran to Hvar and had coffee while we waited for the next leg of our voyage. One hour of air conditioning and we arrived in the intense heat of Hvar at 12.30pm. Had a much needed juice in a bar then a beer in the Hotel Adriana where we waited for a taxi to our apartment. Arrived at apartment Viskovic Margita at 3pm. Apartment fab and view stunning overlooking the Pakleni islands. Showered and human again we walked down to Hvar town and had pizza and salad at Kogo then beers in Café Gromit. Home around 8.30pm after 3am start. Sleep, lots of it.
Day 2 – Tuesday 30th – Hvar.
Woke up about 8am feeling refreshed. Headed down towards one of the beaches and discovered Falco beach bar, started the day with an espresso and free WIFI! Walked along the coastline to the town. Admired the boats in the harbour and stopped for lunch of Octopus salad and Dalmatian platter at Kavana. Kept
topping up the liquids and had coffee and a Dacari at 2pm at Carpe Diem with its lovely outdoor sofas and cushions. Visited the Made in Hvar Art Gallery in
the main square which had some truly stunning photographs then drinks at Pjaca around 3pm. Returned to the Hotel Adriana to the rooftop bar Top for Caparinnas at 4.30pm for a fabulous view over the harbour, very envious of their rooftop pool! Headed back to the apartment before dinner and stopped at beach bar Les Bains around 5pm, very tranquil with massage beds in the sunshine. Back to the apartment then back to Falco for the sunset, amazing sight and varied tunes, less manic than the Hula Hula beach bar round the corner. Les Bains for coffee then Jerolmin at the harbour for dinner of Pag cheese and mussels, fresh fish of the day and a bottle of Posip Cara, a local wine. BB Club for drinks at midnight. Walked back to apartment with spotlights in the sky from the club on the neighbouring island of Jerolim and stars everywhere.
Day 3 – Wednesday 31st – Hvar.
Later start today. 12 noon lunch at Rocco, Caprese and Tortellini. Coffee at the Riva Yacht Club. Visited the Cathedral of St Stephen which was beautiful. Bought boat tickets for the next leg and purchased the obligatory postcards. Juice in Ka’lavanda around 3pm (very hot today). Back to the Top bar at the Hotel Adriana the then home for a nap, defeated by the sunshine. Had dinner in the apartment and beer on the balcony, early night.
Day 4 – Thursday 1st – Korcula.
Last day in Hvar, paid for apartment and left luggage till boat at 6pm. Ka’lavanda for coffee and water, strolled round the harbour before lunch at Giaxa of beef Medallions with black truffle and gnocchi and sea bass. Great restaurant, would definitely recommend it. Coffee in Pjaca by the harbour around 2.30pm and postcard writing completed. Vereranda Club for drinks (if it’s good enough for royalty!) then Carpe Dien for a goodbye drink while waiting for the 6pm ferry to Korcula. Arrived in Korcula, had coffee in Café Step while finding our bearings then checked in at the Hotel (eventually), dinner in Aborda overlooking the water (entertained by cabaret of a drunken man at the next table) around 10pm then drinks in Deja Vue till 1am, (have we been here before?)
Day 5 – Friday 2nd – Korcula.
Restless night despite the amazing air con, Stuart out around 8am for coffee and photos of harbour then back to bed. Coffee at Zizi around 11.45am joined by two mad puppies who spent most of the time fighting with each other. Walked around the old town and stopped at Pizzeria Tedeschi for lunch overlooking the water around 12.45pm. Had a drink in the old town while inadvertently listening to the Best of Boney M (you wouldn’t believe how many hits they had!) then walked by the water to the other side of the old town. Stopped for juice at Stop Pizza around 4pm listening to the sound of the water and watching the bronzed locals swim. Hotel Korcula for beers after quick dip in the sea then home. Pre-dinner drink in bar Noah before dinner on the Lesic Dimitri Palace Terrace around 8.30pm. Gaudi for drinks then Cafe Step before home in the rain (lasted about 3 minutes) around 1am.
Day 6 – Saturday 3rd – Korcula to Dubrovnik.
Checked out of the hotel around 11am, coffee in Radina then dropped luggage off and picked up ferry tickets. Lunch at Bistre then ferry at 2pm for Dubrovnik. Packed ferry but once we found some seats we settled in for the 4 hour journey which passed quickly and we arrived at the new port in blazing sunshine. We arrived at apartment Bonbon via taxi around 7pm. Local shop for beer, wine and water and local snack Bobi! Dinner at Lokanda Peskarija by the old harbour, it’s like being home, then Capitano for drinks at midnight. Nightcap at Revelin then home for a beer on the balcony.
Day 7 – Sunday 4th – Dubrovnik.
Late start after bad night’s sleep, air con not so powerful! Lunch at Tabasco then Sky Bar off the Stradun which is a bit misleading as it’s on the ground floor! Mirage for a beer then home for a nap. Polkisar for dinner then home, sun got the best of us so early night.
Day 8 – Monday 5th – Dubrovnik.
Up early, feeling better today. Excited to finally take the cable car to Mount Srd as the cable car had not yet re-opened last time we were here. The view is truly stunning, the old town with its terracotta tiles, the island of Lokrum, the beautiful Adriatic and behind us the hillsides with Bosnia in the distance. Decided to have lunch up there looking at the iconic cross we had always seen lit up at night from our old apartment. Went for a stroll and then visited the war museum, a sobering and necessary experience. Back down to earth we went for a drink to the Excelsior then walked round to the Belvedere Hotel, the hotel which was shelled during the war and has never been re-built. We had been here before to a club night which was a surreal experience but this time we clambered around the ruins, entering the old bed rooms which had once had guests and finding laundry bags and note pads used to take orders, all a bit eerie. Walked back and went to the Villa Dubrovnik which we had seen being built a couple of years ago. Ultra modern with sculptured seats in the court yard and minimalist furniture. Sat on the terrace and had the best Sea Breeze ever and decided to stay! Booked room and dinner then back to apartment for some clothes. Room fab with a balcony overlooking Lokrum. Dinner on the terrace looking back at the lights of the old town, Sea biscuits, crab meat, oysters wrapped in Smoked salmon, fillet of beef with a fabulous local wine followed by coffee. Went for a drink in the Sky Bar (this one deserves to be called the Sky Bar) and the sun must have gone to our heads as Stuart ordered Cristal. Finished the champagne on the balcony then bed.
Day 9 – Tuesday 6th – Dubrovnik.
Glass of Cristal for breakfast then a swim in the pool and coffee, booked another night, this is the life! Lunch on the terrace, fresh fish and turkey salad. Afternoon nap and then back to the apartment for another change of clothes. Sea Breeze on the Terrace then showered and changed for dinner with our friends Rudi and Milena. Dinner at Kanarda around 9pm, mixed grill and fish of the day. So lovely to see our friends again drinks. Glass of vino at Anoa then taxi back to the hotel.
Day 10 – Wednesday 7th – Dubrovnik.
Great sleep, I went for a swim while Stuart went for coffee or 3 on the terrace. So sad to have to pack and check out. Took a taxi to the Bikers Café and walked down to the Old Town, Orhan for lunch around 2pm. bad service so left for Sesame. Walked to Lapad, stopping for coffee at Café Basium at 3.45pm. Had drinks at Villa Bar in Lapad with the waves coming over the wall. Took a walk and stumbled across Cave bar More which was an amazing find, hollowed into the rocks on a number of different levels with a lift that goes up to the Hotel More. Very sad as our last night. Took a taxi to Pile Gate and had dinner at Spaghateria Toni then home.
Day 11 – Thursday 8th – Dubrovnik.
Taxi picked us up at 7am for flight home. Bye bye Hrvatska!
Day 1 - Monday 29th – Hvar.
Arrived in Split, sunshine! Took a taxi to Split Port after cigarette (when in Croatia!), Found ticket office for the catamaran to Hvar and had coffee while we waited for the next leg of our voyage. One hour of air conditioning and we arrived in the intense heat of Hvar at 12.30pm. Had a much needed juice in a bar then a beer in the Hotel Adriana where we waited for a taxi to our apartment. Arrived at apartment Viskovic Margita at 3pm. Apartment fab and view stunning overlooking the Pakleni islands. Showered and human again we walked down to Hvar town and had pizza and salad at Kogo then beers in Café Gromit. Home around 8.30pm after 3am start. Sleep, lots of it.
Day 2 – Tuesday 30th – Hvar.
Woke up about 8am feeling refreshed. Headed down towards one of the beaches and discovered Falco beach bar, started the day with an espresso and free WIFI! Walked along the coastline to the town. Admired the boats in the harbour and stopped for lunch of Octopus salad and Dalmatian platter at Kavana. Kept
topping up the liquids and had coffee and a Dacari at 2pm at Carpe Diem with its lovely outdoor sofas and cushions. Visited the Made in Hvar Art Gallery in
the main square which had some truly stunning photographs then drinks at Pjaca around 3pm. Returned to the Hotel Adriana to the rooftop bar Top for Caparinnas at 4.30pm for a fabulous view over the harbour, very envious of their rooftop pool! Headed back to the apartment before dinner and stopped at beach bar Les Bains around 5pm, very tranquil with massage beds in the sunshine. Back to the apartment then back to Falco for the sunset, amazing sight and varied tunes, less manic than the Hula Hula beach bar round the corner. Les Bains for coffee then Jerolmin at the harbour for dinner of Pag cheese and mussels, fresh fish of the day and a bottle of Posip Cara, a local wine. BB Club for drinks at midnight. Walked back to apartment with spotlights in the sky from the club on the neighbouring island of Jerolim and stars everywhere.
Day 3 – Wednesday 31st – Hvar.
Later start today. 12 noon lunch at Rocco, Caprese and Tortellini. Coffee at the Riva Yacht Club. Visited the Cathedral of St Stephen which was beautiful. Bought boat tickets for the next leg and purchased the obligatory postcards. Juice in Ka’lavanda around 3pm (very hot today). Back to the Top bar at the Hotel Adriana the then home for a nap, defeated by the sunshine. Had dinner in the apartment and beer on the balcony, early night.
Day 4 – Thursday 1st – Korcula.
Last day in Hvar, paid for apartment and left luggage till boat at 6pm. Ka’lavanda for coffee and water, strolled round the harbour before lunch at Giaxa of beef Medallions with black truffle and gnocchi and sea bass. Great restaurant, would definitely recommend it. Coffee in Pjaca by the harbour around 2.30pm and postcard writing completed. Vereranda Club for drinks (if it’s good enough for royalty!) then Carpe Dien for a goodbye drink while waiting for the 6pm ferry to Korcula. Arrived in Korcula, had coffee in Café Step while finding our bearings then checked in at the Hotel (eventually), dinner in Aborda overlooking the water (entertained by cabaret of a drunken man at the next table) around 10pm then drinks in Deja Vue till 1am, (have we been here before?)
Day 5 – Friday 2nd – Korcula.
Restless night despite the amazing air con, Stuart out around 8am for coffee and photos of harbour then back to bed. Coffee at Zizi around 11.45am joined by two mad puppies who spent most of the time fighting with each other. Walked around the old town and stopped at Pizzeria Tedeschi for lunch overlooking the water around 12.45pm. Had a drink in the old town while inadvertently listening to the Best of Boney M (you wouldn’t believe how many hits they had!) then walked by the water to the other side of the old town. Stopped for juice at Stop Pizza around 4pm listening to the sound of the water and watching the bronzed locals swim. Hotel Korcula for beers after quick dip in the sea then home. Pre-dinner drink in bar Noah before dinner on the Lesic Dimitri Palace Terrace around 8.30pm. Gaudi for drinks then Cafe Step before home in the rain (lasted about 3 minutes) around 1am.
Day 6 – Saturday 3rd – Korcula to Dubrovnik.
Checked out of the hotel around 11am, coffee in Radina then dropped luggage off and picked up ferry tickets. Lunch at Bistre then ferry at 2pm for Dubrovnik. Packed ferry but once we found some seats we settled in for the 4 hour journey which passed quickly and we arrived at the new port in blazing sunshine. We arrived at apartment Bonbon via taxi around 7pm. Local shop for beer, wine and water and local snack Bobi! Dinner at Lokanda Peskarija by the old harbour, it’s like being home, then Capitano for drinks at midnight. Nightcap at Revelin then home for a beer on the balcony.
Day 7 – Sunday 4th – Dubrovnik.
Late start after bad night’s sleep, air con not so powerful! Lunch at Tabasco then Sky Bar off the Stradun which is a bit misleading as it’s on the ground floor! Mirage for a beer then home for a nap. Polkisar for dinner then home, sun got the best of us so early night.
Day 8 – Monday 5th – Dubrovnik.
Up early, feeling better today. Excited to finally take the cable car to Mount Srd as the cable car had not yet re-opened last time we were here. The view is truly stunning, the old town with its terracotta tiles, the island of Lokrum, the beautiful Adriatic and behind us the hillsides with Bosnia in the distance. Decided to have lunch up there looking at the iconic cross we had always seen lit up at night from our old apartment. Went for a stroll and then visited the war museum, a sobering and necessary experience. Back down to earth we went for a drink to the Excelsior then walked round to the Belvedere Hotel, the hotel which was shelled during the war and has never been re-built. We had been here before to a club night which was a surreal experience but this time we clambered around the ruins, entering the old bed rooms which had once had guests and finding laundry bags and note pads used to take orders, all a bit eerie. Walked back and went to the Villa Dubrovnik which we had seen being built a couple of years ago. Ultra modern with sculptured seats in the court yard and minimalist furniture. Sat on the terrace and had the best Sea Breeze ever and decided to stay! Booked room and dinner then back to apartment for some clothes. Room fab with a balcony overlooking Lokrum. Dinner on the terrace looking back at the lights of the old town, Sea biscuits, crab meat, oysters wrapped in Smoked salmon, fillet of beef with a fabulous local wine followed by coffee. Went for a drink in the Sky Bar (this one deserves to be called the Sky Bar) and the sun must have gone to our heads as Stuart ordered Cristal. Finished the champagne on the balcony then bed.
Day 9 – Tuesday 6th – Dubrovnik.
Glass of Cristal for breakfast then a swim in the pool and coffee, booked another night, this is the life! Lunch on the terrace, fresh fish and turkey salad. Afternoon nap and then back to the apartment for another change of clothes. Sea Breeze on the Terrace then showered and changed for dinner with our friends Rudi and Milena. Dinner at Kanarda around 9pm, mixed grill and fish of the day. So lovely to see our friends again drinks. Glass of vino at Anoa then taxi back to the hotel.
Day 10 – Wednesday 7th – Dubrovnik.
Great sleep, I went for a swim while Stuart went for coffee or 3 on the terrace. So sad to have to pack and check out. Took a taxi to the Bikers Café and walked down to the Old Town, Orhan for lunch around 2pm. bad service so left for Sesame. Walked to Lapad, stopping for coffee at Café Basium at 3.45pm. Had drinks at Villa Bar in Lapad with the waves coming over the wall. Took a walk and stumbled across Cave bar More which was an amazing find, hollowed into the rocks on a number of different levels with a lift that goes up to the Hotel More. Very sad as our last night. Took a taxi to Pile Gate and had dinner at Spaghateria Toni then home.
Day 11 – Thursday 8th – Dubrovnik.
Taxi picked us up at 7am for flight home. Bye bye Hrvatska!
Dubrovnik Diary Blog – 2009.
Day 1
7.30pm - Pizza then Ozujsko in Poco Loco then home for dinner with Rudi & Milena.
Day 2
10.20am - New Harbour early, coffee and juice at Hotel Petka under the canopy. Check at port for tickets to Elaphite islands. 12.30pm - Stopped at Wind Café bar for a coke and a beer on way round to Lapad then Kompas for Lunch. 2pm – Stopped at Konoba Rasica for beer on way to Dubrovnik Palace Hotel. Mosquito bands bought at pharmacy on the way. 8.30pm – Taxi from Palace to Sesame for dinner. (Mendek Mozaik Bijelo 2004 – Wine, Octopus Salad and Veal Mediterranean and Coffee)
Day 3
12 noon, coffee in Laura then lunch. Lokrum for the day then the boat back to harbour for drinks in Arsenal. Ice cream then drinks in Exit Club as Fresh was closed.
Day 4
Saturday coffee at Pile gate then pizza in Olivia. Walk to Belvedere via Argentina for a beer, Excelsior for a coke. 5.30 watch Costa Serena leave. Karlovacko in Afrika then home, dinner then SLAM! Drink on Balcony then bed. Bed 4.30am.
Day 5
1pm – Konzum for lunch, slept for the afternoon then Gils for dinner around 7pm. (Goats cheese salad, scampi Carpaccio, lamb and tuna, Chocolate with lemon sorbet and pistachio ice cream. Left Gils around midnight, wine at the harbour, home, beer and cigar on the balcony.
Day 6
Pizza at Mea Culpa around 3, aquarium then coffee at terrace. Buza for a beer then Mirage for Caipirinha. Home and changed. 7pm - Guitar recital in the Palace then dinner at the harbour (Octopus salad) and wine, home.
Day 7
Coffee at Pile Gate the Portun for Mozzarella Salad. 9pm – Few drinks in Exit, moved to Dubrovnik Kantun for food (cheese platter, seafood platter, salted anchovies and prawn bouzarra) House wine, then home, beer on balcony then bed.
Day 1
7.30pm - Pizza then Ozujsko in Poco Loco then home for dinner with Rudi & Milena.
Day 2
10.20am - New Harbour early, coffee and juice at Hotel Petka under the canopy. Check at port for tickets to Elaphite islands. 12.30pm - Stopped at Wind Café bar for a coke and a beer on way round to Lapad then Kompas for Lunch. 2pm – Stopped at Konoba Rasica for beer on way to Dubrovnik Palace Hotel. Mosquito bands bought at pharmacy on the way. 8.30pm – Taxi from Palace to Sesame for dinner. (Mendek Mozaik Bijelo 2004 – Wine, Octopus Salad and Veal Mediterranean and Coffee)
Day 3
12 noon, coffee in Laura then lunch. Lokrum for the day then the boat back to harbour for drinks in Arsenal. Ice cream then drinks in Exit Club as Fresh was closed.
Day 4
Saturday coffee at Pile gate then pizza in Olivia. Walk to Belvedere via Argentina for a beer, Excelsior for a coke. 5.30 watch Costa Serena leave. Karlovacko in Afrika then home, dinner then SLAM! Drink on Balcony then bed. Bed 4.30am.
Day 5
1pm – Konzum for lunch, slept for the afternoon then Gils for dinner around 7pm. (Goats cheese salad, scampi Carpaccio, lamb and tuna, Chocolate with lemon sorbet and pistachio ice cream. Left Gils around midnight, wine at the harbour, home, beer and cigar on the balcony.
Day 6
Pizza at Mea Culpa around 3, aquarium then coffee at terrace. Buza for a beer then Mirage for Caipirinha. Home and changed. 7pm - Guitar recital in the Palace then dinner at the harbour (Octopus salad) and wine, home.
Day 7
Coffee at Pile Gate the Portun for Mozzarella Salad. 9pm – Few drinks in Exit, moved to Dubrovnik Kantun for food (cheese platter, seafood platter, salted anchovies and prawn bouzarra) House wine, then home, beer on balcony then bed.
© 2002-2021 StuartKyles.com