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destination | croatia FASTFACTS Land Gate, Korcula Town Korcula


 WHERE: Korcula sits off the southern Croatian coast and is one of the larger islands, with 25 miles separating the two main towns of Vela Luka and Korcula. Ferries run from Korcula to Dubrovnik, and the island is separated by barely a mile of sea from the Peljesac Peninsula on the mainland.  BEST FOR: Culture and beaches.  WHY: T e jewel of Korcula is without doubt its old walled town. T is well-preserved medieval settlement boasts some of the Adriatic’s fi nest Venetian architecture. T e town is dominated by St Mark’s Cathedral, and from its elevated position beside pretty Pjaceta Square, a series of narrow lanes winds down to the waterfront. Medieval houses are now home to artisan shops, luxury boutiques and chic seafood restaurants. A popular attraction is a house claiming to be the


88 | ASTAnetwork | fall 2015


birthplace of Marco Polo — although there’s no evidence to support these claims. T e waterfront promenade on top of the


town walls is perfect for an evening stroll, with the path off ering views across the sea below. Dolphins can occasionally be spotted close to the shore. Away from the town, there’s an abundance of quiet beaches. One of the most popular is sandy Vela Przina Beach, fi ve miles to the south of Korcula Town, while further west is pebbly Pupnatska Beach, set in a beautiful secluded cove.  COMBINE WITH: Wine tasting. Visiting Korcula on a tour


from Dubrovnik will


inevitably involve a two-hour bus trip across the Peljesac Peninsula, creating the perfect excuse to stop at one of the peninsula’s vineyards and sample the local wines. 


Vis Proizd ITALY


 CLIMATE: The Croatian islands in the Adriatic have a typically Mediterranean climate, with reliably hot summers soaring above 95F and relatively cool winters dropping to 20F. Sea temperatures are ideal for swimming between June and September.  CURRENCY: Croatian kun (HRK). $1 = HRK6.72.  TIME: GMT +1.  DIAL CODE: +385.  GETTING THERE Ferries to the islands leave mainly from Split and Dubrovnik. Both cities have international airports, which have services to major European hubs, including Frankfurt, Paris and London. At present there are no direct fl ights from the US to Croatia.  GETTING AROUND: Inter-island public ferries run daily in the summer to and from the coastal towns and cities to the main islands, with less frequent off-season schedules. Most islands have a bus service, and car rentals are available on the larger islands.  RED TAPE: No visa is required for US citizens wishing to visit Croatia.  GEOGRAPHY: Croatia sits by the Adriatic Sea, bordering Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Montenegro.  VISITORS: Around 160,000 US visitors in 2013 (latest fi gures).  CONTACT: Croatia National Tourist Board. T: 212 279 8672 (New York). croatia.hr  SAMPLE: Croatia Travel offers an eight-day cruise, starting and ending in Dubrovnik and taking in Mljet, Korcula and Hvar. Prices start at $1,700 per person, including cabin with private bathroom, breakfasts, most lunches, airport transfers, service charges and taxes. T: 1 800 662 7628. croatiatravel.com


SLOVENIA ZAGREB Rijeka Krk Pula Losinj Cres Mali Zadar Rab


BOSNIA AND


HERZEGOVINA Split Brac Hvar Korcula Mljet Dubrovnik 100 miles CROATIA Osijek HUNGARY


MAP: JOHN PLUMER. IMAGE: AWL IMAGES.


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