Island Hvar – Your place for best holiday

If you dream of taking cruise holidays but have no-one to go with or want to take a break on your own, don’t worry as there are lots of voyages suitable for singles.

Travelling on your own need not be expensive, as cruise lines are used to dealing with solo holidaymakers and have single cabins onboard many of their luxury ships. That also means you are sure to meet plenty of likeminded passengers if you want to socialise during your break.

You will find there is a wide range of cruises for singles available, with many solo travellers choosing voyages to Norway, the Baltic, the Canary Islands, Italy or Croatia.

Norway is one of the classic cruise destinations, thanks to its stunning coastline. You can’t fail to be amazed by the fjords and the scenery that surrounds them, and a holiday in the Scandinavian country will also give you the opportunity to visit beautiful cities such as Bergen, Stavanger and Tromso.

If you are looking at August cruises a voyage around the Baltic is likely to be a good choice. The weather in the region is great at that time of year and single holidaymakers will find plenty to do, as the cruises usually feature stops at historic cities like St Petersburg, Copenhagen, Helsinki and Tallinn.

The Canary Islands is another popular destination with single cruise passengers, particularly ones who are looking for a sunshine break. Whatever time of year you choose for your holiday, the temperature is likely to be high in the Canaries and you will discover there is plenty to see and do on Tenerife, Lanzarote and Gran Canaria.

Should you have an interest in history, you are likely to encounter plenty of likeminded people on a Mediterranean cruise that includes stops in Italy. Many of the country’s great Roman and Renaissance cities are accessible from the sea and you can look forward to some fascinating sightseeing in Venice, Rome, Sorrento, Elba and Portofino during your break.

Another cruise destination that combines history and culture with great weather is the Adriatic. A voyage down the coast of Croatia will take you to fascinating cities like Dubrovnik and Split, as well as the beautiful island of Hvar. Your holiday in the region is also likely to include stops in Crete, the Bosnian city of Kotor and Italy’s Amalfi coast – so there really is sure to be something for everyone.

Island destinations remain very popular amongst Irish holidaymakers, with the main resorts being the Canary or Balearic Islands in Spain, or the main islands of Greece, including Corfu, Crete and Rhodes. However, there are hundreds of island destinations dotted throughout Europe’s waters, so here are a few different options that might be worth visiting this summer.

GOZO, Malta

Part of the archipelago that is Malta, Gozo is a lot less travelled than the main island. Often referred to as “the land where time stood still”, Gozo is excellent walking country, especially between October and May when the temperature is usually around 18C. One of the best walks is along Dingli Cliffs, where you can watch the sun set from the highest point in Malta, 220m above sea level. Places to visit on the island include the Azure Window, the Inland Sea and the Ggantija temples, while there also a number of excellent dive spots located around the Gozo coast, none more so than the Blue Hole, which is considered to be one of the best dives in Europe. The Ramla il-Hamra beach with its red sands is also deemed one of the best in the country.

HVAR, Croatia

Surrounded by the brilliant blue Adriatic Sea, the island of Hvar is one of Croatia’s top tourist destinations. Located 30 kilometres off the coast from the city of Split, Hvar is one of the sunniest spots in Croatia and also one of the greenest. Pretty beaches are dotted around the coast of Hvar, while the town with the same name is rich in culture and history. A ramble through Hvar town will take you past the ancient walls into the Starigrad (the Old Town) and through the amazing main square in front of the cathedral. The old village of Starigrad and Jelsa are well worth a visit, while a short boat trip will take you to the nearby Pakleni Islands. The climate allows vegetation to flourish and the sprawling lavender fields add a fantastic aroma throughout.

ISLE OF SKYE, Scotland

This misty gem in the Hebrides sits just off the coast of west Scotland, about 100 kilometres north of Glasgow. The island is an adventure playground for climbers, walkers and cyclists with high peaks and deep sounds throughout. The centre of the island is dominated by the Cuillin mountains, while several peninsulas jut out in every direction. Visit the Quiraing on the Trotternish peninsula for stunning scenery, while Dunvegan Castle is steeped in history and legend and is home to the McLeod clan. Castle Moil, Dunscaith Castle and Duntulm Castle are also places to check out on your visit, while the coast of Dunvegan is home to ‘MacLeod’s Maidens’, which are giant sea stacks off the coast of Maiden’s Point, amongst the highest cliffs in Britain. The sea plays a big part in Skye’s attraction, as sea fishing is widely available, along with a wide range of other water sports. And wildlife lovers will be spoilt for choice as red deer, seals, otters, golden eagles and rare sea eagles can often be spotted.

CAPRI, Italy

Located five kilometres off the Campania coast, Capri is renowned throughout the world for its romance and beauty. The main attraction on the island is the Blue Grotto, which is located at the water’s edge and lights up the internal water a fantastic turquoise colour. The Villa Jovis, Villa San Michele and Church of San Michele Arcangelo are some of the main sights to see around the island, while watching the sunrise over the mountains to see the vivid colour changes is another thing to add to your list ahead of your visit.

SANTORINI, Greece

A constant contender for most romantic location in Europe, Santorini is located around 200 kilometres off the Greek mainland and is famous for its sensational sunsets. This volcanic island is often referred to as the “Gem of the Aegean”, with its main attraction being the landscape. The beaches of Santorini are a spectacular sight, boasting white, red or black sand or volcanic pebbles, spectacular rock formations and impressive lunar landscapes. In fact, Santorini is actually a group of islands which are effectively an active volcano with the sea being the crater, but don’t let that put you off visiting. Panoramic views of the volcano can be found around the towns of Firá, Oia, Imerovígli and Firostefáni, which are known as the balcony of Santorini. Gastronomy is a big deal throughout the island, while scuba diving and snorkelling are also very popular.

EL HIERRO, Spain

The edge of the world as it was known, El Hierro is the most western of the Canary Islands. You can explore the islands many natural swimming pools or travel inland to the vast area of protected woodland. Paragliding, mountain biking, surfing, caving and hiking are all available, while the coast of El Hierro boasts clear, deep waters, which are ideal for scuba diving and snorkelling. Daily flights are available from Gran Canaria and Tenerife, while there is also a ferry service from Tenerife and La Gomera into Puerto de la Estaca. The island has also been granted UNESCO Biosphere Reserve designation.

CORSICA, France

Located approximately 170 kilometres from Nice, Corsica is often described as a mountain in the sea and as a result is covered in pine forests and mountain lakes with 120 peaks above 2000m. Corsica is also home to the famous GR20 walking trail, which is amongst the toughest and most spectacular walks in Europe. Nature is one of Corsica’s biggest attractions, with the Corsican Regional Natural Park stretching over 3500km². The Calanche de Piana and the Réserve Naturelle de Scandola are both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, while the Sanguinaires Islands, the Bavella Needles and the small fishing village of Centuri are just some of the many attractions in this very unique and pretty emerald green island.

The health tourism on the island of Hvar has a long tradition. Due to favorable climate with lots of sun, warm summers and mild winters, health tourism was developed even in 1868.

That was the year when “The Hygienic Society” was established in order to promote tourism and catering.That was also the first tourist society in Europe.

We have this tradition even today. Crystal blue sea, oasis of the intact nature, odour of lavander and the sun make this island irreplaceble for health tourism…

Hvar (local Croatian dialect: Hvor or For, Greek: Pharos, Φαρος, Latin: Pharia, Italian: Lesina) is a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea, located off the Dalmatian coast, lying between the islands of Brač, Vis and Korčula. Approximately 68 km long, with a high east-west ridge of Mesozoic limestone and dolomite, the island of Hvar is unusual in the area for having a large fertile coastal plain, and fresh water springs. Its hillsides are covered in pine forests, with vineyards, olive groves, fruit orchards and lavender fields in the agricultural areas. The climate is characterized by mild winters, and warm summers with many hours of sunshine. The island has 11,103 residents, making it the 4th most populated of the Croatian islands.

Hvar’s location at the center of the Adriatic sailing routes has long made this island an important base for commanding trade up and down the Adriatic, across to Italy and throughout the wider Mediterranean. Near Hvar are the most visited places in Dalmatia: Split , Makarska and Dubrovnik .Makarska is also known as croatia real estate. It has been inhabited since pre-historic times, originally by a Neolithic people whose distinctive pottery gave rise to the term Hvar Culture, and later by the Illyrians. The ancient Greeks founded the colony of Pharos in 384 BC on the site of today’s Stari Grad, making it one of the oldest towns in Europe. They were also responsible for setting out the agricultural field divisions of the Stari Grad Plain, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In medieval times, Hvar (city) rose to importance within the Venetian Empire as a major naval base. Prosperity brought culture and the arts, with one of the first public theatres in Europe, nobles’ palaces and many fine communal buildings.

The 16th century was an unsettled time, with the Hvar Rebellion, coastal raids by pirates and the Ottoman army from the mainland, resulting in some unusual fortified buildings on the northern shore to protect the local population. After a brief time under Napoleonic rule, the island became part of the Austrian Empire, a more peaceful and prosperous time. On the coast, harbours were expanded, quays built, fishing and boat building businesses grew. At the same time, the island’s wine exports increased, along with lavender and rosemary production for the French perfume industry. Unfortunately, this prosperity did not continue into the 20th century as wooden sailing boats went out of fashion, and the phylloxera blight hit wine production. Many islanders left to make a new life elsewhere.

One industry, however, has continued to grow and is now a significant contributor to the island’s economy. The formation of The Hygienic Association of Hvar in 1868 for the assistance of visitors to the island has been instrumental in developing an infrastructure of hotels, apartments, restaurants, marinas, museums, galleries and cafes. Today, the island of Hvar is a popular destination for tourists, consistently listed in the top 10 islands by Conde Nast Traveler magazine.

The island of Hvar is located in the Adriatic Sea, off the Dalmatian coast. To the north, the island of Brač lies across the Hvar Channel (Hvarski kanal), to the west is Vis, separated by the Vis Channel, and to the south Korčula lies across the Korčula Channel, while the Pelješac Peninsula is across the Neretva Channel. The eastern end of Hvar is just 6 kilometres from the mainland. Along the southern coast of the island there are several smaller islands, notably the Pakleni islands at the western end and Šćedro island, while Zečevo island lies off the north coast.