DESTINATIONS DUBROVNIK RIVIERA CROATIA & EASTERN EUROPE
after Diocletian’s in Split, in the village of Polace on the western end of the island. There are several sandy beaches around the island, as well as two saltwater lakes, one of which is home to a Benedictine monastery and a restaurant. It’s a place for gentle strolls, boat rides and lazy lobster lunches by the waterfront. Balkan Holidays offers a week’s half-board at the Hotel Odisej, which overlooks Pomena’s harbour, from £366, including flights and transfers.
w KORCULA This fertile island can be a day trip from Dubrovnik, but Korcula has so much for clients to explore that it’s tempting to spend more time there. It’s separated by a narrow channel from the Peljesac peninsula and, like its peninsular neighbour, is a major producer of wine. The walled Venetian-style Korcula Town is a delight to explore, especially as its honey- coloured limestone buildings, museums and restaurants are all in a car-free zone. Korcula insists that Marco Polo
Korcula insists that Marco Polo was born there before his parents moved to Venice
was born there before his parents moved to Venice – so much so that it’s built up a small industry around it. There’s a Marco Polo Museum, a Marco Polo Tower, Marco Polo tours, even a Hotel Marco Polo. More pertinently, there are numerous beaches around the island, and its many regattas make it popular with sailors. Between Korcula and the Peljesac peninsula is the Skoji archipelago, whose 19 islands attract holidaymakers keen on kayaking, canoeing, diving, snorkelling and boating. Jet2holidays has a week’s
B&B at the Hotel Korcula from £690, including flights from Manchester and transfers.
Montenegro
Croatia’s mountainous neighbour is just 20 miles from Dubrovnik, so it’s not surprising that Montenegro is an inviting option for a side trip. For such a small country, it packs a lot in, with breathtaking natural scenery, exquisite towns and endless beaches that stretch towards the Albanian border. Cruise clients are already
familiar with Kotor (pictured), the Unesco World Heritage Site in a spectacular limestone fjord-like bay. Its medieval walled old town is like a mini Dubrovnik, with handsome churches, squares and lively cafes. One of the most rewarding things to do is the three-mile uphill hike to the forbidding St John’s fortress that watches over the town. The views along the way are magnificent and worth the climb. Beach lovers on a day trip
from Dubrovnik often head for
the Budva Riviera – along with much of the local population. While its seven miles of sandy beaches are a major draw, clients will also enjoy exploring Budva’s Venetian Old Town, which was substantially rebuilt after a devastating earthquake in 1978. Classic Collection Holidays has a week’s B&B at the five-star Hotel Splendid Spa Resort overlooking Becici beach from £933, including flights and transfers. While luxury resorts have
been creeping into the country – including the Aman Resort at Sveti Stefan, the superyacht- filled Porto Montenegro and the new upmarket developments at Lustica Bay – many parts of Montenegro are still wonderfully untouched. Lake Skadar, the largest lake in the Balkans, is a wildlife paradise and a captivating place for activity holidays including kayaking and hiking.
TOP: Hotel Odisej, Mljet
LEFT: Marco Polo House, Korcula
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travelweekly.co.uk 21 January 2016
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