Island Hvar – Your place for best holiday

Tired of the beach and sitting in waterfront cafes on Croatia’s premier island? Why not head for the hills and undiscovered Hvar with an off-road Safari?

While the many focus of most holidays to Hvar is the stunning coastline and plentiful beaches, there is much to discover inland on Croatia’s premier island, described by Forbes Magazine as one of the world’s sexiest. One of the most rewarding ways to spend a day discovering Hvar off the beaten track is to take an off-road Jeep safari.

Secret Hvar Jeep Safaris

The day-long tour, organised by experienced local guides for specialist agency, Secret Hvar, take clients away from the popular tourist resorts, on an intoxicating voyage of discovery through the aromatic hills of rosemary and lavender, through the various hilltop villages of the island, and along tracks off-limits to most vehicles.

Malo and Velo Grablje

Departing from Hvar Town at 0900, the tour commences with the short trip to the two inland villages of Malo and Velo Grablje, the former completely abandoned and the latter in serious decline after once being the most important centre for lavender production in Dalmatia.

Malo Grablje has a special feel to it, abandoned by its residents en masse several decades ago in favour of the local fishing village of Milna down th road. One of the curious facts about Malo Grablje is the fact that all property owners have the same non-Croatian surname – Tudor – leading to the legend that the villagers are possible descendants of Henry VIII.

Restaurant Vidikovac and the Sveti Nikola Peak

Continuing along the spectacular old road from Hvar to Stari Grad, th tour pauses for refreshment at the isolated Restaurant Vidikovac, a stunning spot which boats sea views to the south of the island from one side, and equally picturesque northern sea views from others, before ascending to the island’s highest point, Sveti Nikola, from where panomaric views of the island take in the neighbouring islands of Brac, Vis and Korcula.

Stari Grad Plain

An examination of the UNESCO-protected ancient Greek agricultural colony known as the Stari Grad Plain is next on the itinerary, an extremely well-preserved area to close to Hvar’s oldest town, where the farming of olives and grapes continue in must the same way as they did in Greek times.

Humac, the Abandoned Shepherd’s Village

Lunch is taken in the eco-village of Humac, a shepherd’s village long since abandoned by its inhabitants, but one of the most atmospheric places on the island. Konoba Humac, at the front of the village, has been sympathetically restored, and offers outstanding organic food prepared according to traditional methods.

Best Croatian Beaches: Soline in Vrboska

After an excellent lunch, the tour makes its final stop, to one of the island’s nicest beaches at Soline, near Vrboska, a chance to dip into the water and contemplate the sights, sounds and smells of the off-road Hvar experience.

Dive Center Hvar

This large professional dive center near the Hotel Amfora runs diving trips between Hvar and the island of Vis, which recently has become the darling of extreme sports enthusiasts. The Dive Center offers a long menu of dive services and trips and supports other watersports such as water-skiing, snorkeling, kite boarding, windsurfing, and banana boating. It also rents boats, kayaks, and equipment to go with all its sports. Dives run from 250kn ($43) for a single dive including equipment to an all-inclusive certification course for 2,360kn ($405).

Fortress

The large 16th-century fortress that stands above Hvar Town once was a medieval castle. The current structure, built by the Venetians, is worth the climb to see spectacular views of Hvar Town’s rooftops and its harbor from the ramparts. Inside the fortress you’ll find displays of amphorae found offshore; and you can visit a spooky dungeon. There is a small cafe atop the castle. The walk up to the fortress is a nice but challenging trek during the day, but at night the climb can be treacherous because the steps/path leading up to the site are not lighted.

Franciscan Monastery

Walk along the sea to the 15th-century monastery south of the center and enter through a lovely cloister, where concerts are held every 2 days during the season. Inside you’ll find a nice museum with a collection of sacral art. The museum opens to an idyllic garden with a view of the sea. The adjacent church, Our Lady of Mercy, also dates from the 15th century and it is home to three polyptychs and many other pieces of religious art.

St. Stephen’s Cathedral

St. Stephen’s is a rather unremarkable triple-aisled church with a nice 17th-century bell tower. The inside has quite a few late Renaissance paintings and a nice wooden 16th-century choir area.

Venetian Loggia & Clock Tower

The Loggia and Clock Tower are part of the Hotel Palace’s face to the world. The Loggia is a magnificent example of Renaissance architecture, but it was damaged by the Turks in 1571, repaired, and then used as a cafe from the late 19th century to as recently as the early 1970s. Today it frames an elegant salon in the Hotel Palace, complete with a grand piano. The clock tower was built in the 19th century on the site of the ducal palace. The palace was destroyed in the same assault that damaged the Loggia.

Viking Diving Center

The Petrinovic family runs this establishment right next to the Podstine Hotel, and it can furnish equipment, instruction, and even rooms. Many of Viking’s diving excursions go to the waters off Pakleni Otoci. Viking offers a wide range of options: You can buy almost any service, from a single dive at 220kn ($38), to a package of 5 days and 10 dives for 1,720kn ($300), to a full-day trip with cave diving for 490kn ($85), to everything in between. Equipment rental is extra.

Vis archeological collection

The collection is part of Vis island attractions. It is on display at the fortress Our Lady’s Batarija, built during the Austrian rule in the early 19th century. Submarine archeology collection is the most attractive part of the collection – the exhibition space complex is left in a way that amphorae have been transported bellow the deck of ancient ships. Besides amphorae, visitors can see the largest collection of Hellenistic objects exposed in one place in Croatia. Here is exposed a large number of invaluable Hellenist pottery: Corinthian containers for perfumes, south Italian vases, ceramics, and elegant Issian vases. The central display is a famous bronze head of the goddess Artemis, made on the basis of Praxiteles sculptural tradition.

Together with this valuable archaeological collection, there is also Vis ethnographic and cultural heritage exhibition. There are exposed items associated with fishing, shipbuilding, wine, transport of goods and modern history.

The exhibition is opened to visitors only during the summer: 9-12h and 17-20h. On Mondays the museum is closed.

Bishop’s Treasury

The Bishop’s Treasury, behind the tower and adjoining the Cathedral of St Stjepan, houses the cathedral treasury of silver vessels, embroidered Mass robes, numerous Madonnas, a couple of 13th-century icons and an elaborately carved sarcophagus.,

Hallo world