Dalmatian islands – Travels with Lori

July 18, 2019February 19, 2021

Bol & Omiš, Croatia

June 28, 2019

We woke up to a beautiful day but very windy. Everyone was excited to go to the Great Horn beach in Bol on the island of Brac. Unfortunately we were not able to due to the high winds.

The two pics below are of the famous beach from above-not my pictures.

We were scheduled to spend the whole morning at this beach and swim. We were so disappointed but of course understood.

The wind was so strong we couldn’t even sit out on the sundeck!

Thankfully it still was a beautiful day so the Captain cruised to the other side of the island that was protected from the wind and we searched for a place to swim now that it is calm.

Everyone is looking and eagerly waiting to swim!

This area looks pretty good.

We’re all like little kids who can’t wait to play!

Our lunch today was amazing! Gnocchi in a Parmesan sauce and baby lamb chops, which I really don’t like but enjoyed these!

Omiš is our stop after lunch, it is back on the mainland not far south of Split.

Look at the dot right above Splitska, that is Omiš at the mouth of the Centine River.

View from above (not my picture)

Time for an afternoon of river rafting on the Cetine River!

It started out calm but it was so hot out we couldn’t wait to get splashed.

And cool off with a swim!

Morena jumping off the rock.

Ready to go!

So much fun and the perfect weather.

Getting ready for the Captain’s Dinner tonight, our last night.

Cocktails to start

Beautiful sunset as we arrive into Split, our final stop and where we started.

The dining room set up nicely for the special dinner.

Captain Dino makes his speech

Local Tuna Carpaccio

Mussels

Captain Dino’s favorite local musicians. They were really good and fun! Everyone enjoyed their entertainment during dinner.

Seared Local Sea Bass

Molten Chocolate Cake

Fun times dancing then a trip into Split.

Wandering through the maze of Diocletian’s Palace.

This picture came out better than the one I was taking.

Not easy to find your ship when they are all tied together so you have to walk through each one to get to the next-and they all look similar!

July 12, 2019February 19, 2021

This morning we start our journey to Hvar. Hvar is another island in the Adriatic Sea and is best known as a luxurious summer vacation destination. It is also known as the sunniest island in Croatia and for its beautiful and fragrant lavender fields. Hvar Town has swanky hotels, elegant restaurants and it is the place to see and be seen-rubbing shoulders with posh yachties and hundreds of young partygoers.

Good morning from the MS Maritimo!

Breakfast onboard is really nice, there’s a nice variety from meats and cheeses, to fruits, muesli and yogurts to eggs, bacon and breads.

Later on in the morning we stopped for our daily swim and there was a tiny beach not far from where we anchored so we took the dinghy to explore.

Nevin and I ready to explore

I loved walking around the shallows near the rocks and looking for sea creatures. I saw a lot of sea urchins, made me really hungry but I don’t know how to open them to eat them! There were also a lot of sea slugs, which I don’t like to eat! So it was tough to walk around on the pebbly bottom but fun to explore!

While it was beautiful, I preferred swimming from the ship, no worries about walking on the bottom!

Fun with the floats

My cool toes in the water

Morena, one of our hostesses

Just watching the swimmers as I dry off

Look at that water!

Captain Dino going over the maps with us.

Beautiful lunch today! Our starter was grilled zucchini and eggplant rolled around soft cheese.

There is the harbor in Hvar with the 13th Century Fortress keeping watch over the town.

We couldn’t get a place to dock, it was so busy. So we went for another swim to kill some time and then had a local wine and olive oil tasting onboard.

Time for a nap!

Walking into Hvar town on the beautiful promenade.

Ready for a night of fun!

Our hostesses Morena and Natasa

Cocktail Hour in Hvar

The main square is anchored by the Renaissance-era Hvar Cathedral.

Notice the worn step on the left side under the bottom of the door. That is the side the commoners would use.

The pjaca, is what they call the main square which is the largest square in Dalmatia. Originally part of the bay, the land was filled in and fully paved in 1780 and the fountain in the square dates back to 1520.

More beautiful side streets.

If you look at the top of the picture, you see the holes in the building around the windows. These were for a pole to be put in and either used as a pulley to bring things up to their home or hang a wet blanket for natural air conditioning.

The beautiful Pjaca

We went to dinner as the sun was setting.

Thinly sliced octopus, local tuna tartare, sea bass ceviche, oil cured anchovies, and white anchovies.

Beef carpaccio, local sharp cheese, beef Tartare, butter slices, liver pate, carmelized onions and arugula salad.

Fried calamari

Local catch-baby clams, mussels, grilled squid, grilled tuna, huge prawns called scampi.

Summer night life in Hvar is one of the best on the Adriatic. The town is alive at night and partying goes on all night long!

We took a long walk after dinner and the island started to get going. Music was starting, the bars and cafes were filling up.

We sat out here at these high tables, there was a balmy breeze and a great fun vibe. We sat with a bunch of friends and had a really nice evening.

Good night Hvar!

July 9, 2019February 19, 2021

Katarina Line & Korčula, Croatia

June 26, 2019

I slept well on my first night onboard and woke to the sound of the engines starting at 7am. Breakfast is between 8-9am so I went up to grab a cup of coffee and see us leave Split. There’s not much motion on the ship, pretty smooth but I guess we are in semi protected waters with all the islands around us. Dalmatia is what they call this area of coastline and it is where Dalmatian dogs come from. They say their spots represent the islands and no two are the same. There are actually

The morning was spent relaxing onboard while we cruised. It was so nice, I really enjoy the sundeck and there is a small jacuzzi up there we used to cool off while we were cruising. We stopped before lunch and had a really nice swim. The water is refreshing, not too cold but cold enough that it feels great because it is hot, low 90’s! It is also so clear and pretty, I love the color. Thankfully we are cruising during the heat of the day and the breeze keeps us cool and comfortable.

Just look at that water!

Another ship similar to ours, same company too.

My home, MS Maritimo

Lunch was fabulous today!

We stopped at a nice cafe for a refreshment while in Korčula.

Look at that water!

Walking along the promenade into the Old Town. The island town of Korčula is best known as the birthplace of Marco Polo and often referred to as a “mini” Dubrovnik because of the medieval stone ramparts and towers. The town has striking Venetian architecture that makes it beautiful with bright flowers spilling over the limestone blocks with azure blue seas-I LOVE Korčula!

Old Town’s main entry is the Great Land Gate or Veliki Revelin.

St. Mark’s Cathedral

Korčula town was laid out in a fishbone pattern. They really knew what they were doing when they built the town and they are still reaping the benefits of this layout today.

The Main Street goes through the town like the spine of a fish. The streets come off the spine at each side like the bones but the left and right sides are different.

The streets to the left, or west, are straight and allow the cool Maestral winds into town like natural air-conditioning. The streets to the right, or east, are curved to keep out the evil Jugo winds. These Bura are winds in Croatia that control the coastal weather and are tied to the everyday lives of the people, everything from weather, vegetation, architecture and tourism.

Looking down this street you can’t see the end due to the curve.

Looking down this street you can see the water at the end because it is straight.

The outside of the old town has a ring street around it with fabulous cafes on the water with views of the azure blue water.

I just love these streets, so atmospheric!

I have been perusing many of the jewelry stores in Dubrovnik, Split and now here in Korčula to find a Konavle button necklace. These filigree style old buttons are now sold as necklaces, rings and earrings. I found this jeweler making them and finally bought my own necklace.

Dinner tonight was a more local type of dinner in Korčula and a real experience.

We rode into the island away from the coast and up higher in elevation. Then walked up a country road to find this amazing spot!

The gregarious owner greeted us with a local drink and some dried figs while he told us about this place, the area and growing up here.

We learned how to make a local type of pasta.

We went up to the high point and learned about the changes here since he was a child. He pointed out the places of interest and where the school was and town.

We had a big family style table with beautiful views all around us.

The food was so fresh and so delicious. There was also a local red and white wine that paired perfectly with the meal.

Korčula changed many colors during sunset. After our big family style dinner we decided to take a nice walk, it was a beautiful night and had cooled off nicely. The views back to Korčula town as the sun set made us stop and take a picture every 5 minutes!