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Destinations July 30, 2023

These are 3 of the Best Islands in Croatia

Croatia Island Hopping? Let me take you to explore 3 of the best islands in Croatia, Korčula, Vis & Hvar. Crystal-clear blue waters and gorgeous little towns make these islands must-see destinations. Check out the grand walls of Dubrovnik and the city buzz of Split as gateways, and of course, let’s not forget the food, the seafood is the best you will ever taste!

Starting your trip: Dubrovnik or Split?

None of the Islands I talk about in this post have airports, so you will need to take a ferry to get there. Most people opt for getting to the islands from either Dubrovnik or Split, in mainland Croatia. Where should you start your trip from? If you have the time to do both cities, do both. Depending on what islands you are visiting, it may make ferry connections easier so that you are not backtracking.

Dubrovnik cobbled streets — Cobbled Streets in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a much smaller town, but it’s jam-packed with history and beautiful to explore due to its location, well-preserved old town, and fortified walls. It is very touristy and can be quite expensive if staying in hotels (many people opt to stay in local guesthouses). Split on the other hand has much more of a city vibe, and is much bigger and more affordable for budget travellers. It really depends on what your preferences are when you are traveling to make you go for either Split or Dubrovnik as your base.

Want to know more? Check out my other post: Where is better – Dubrovnik or Split?

Getting to the islands & Getting around

Most of the popular ferry routes in Croatia are run by large car ferries or catamarans. Jadrolinija ferries, serves routes to the islands from Dubrovnik & Split as well as from Italy to Split (from Ancona, 11 hours) and to Dubrovnik (from Bari, 7 hours). Local company Krilo also runs services from Split to some of the Croatian islands like Hvar, Korčula & Brac.

Ferry travel in croatia — Travelling by ferry between the islands

Once on the islands, buses will get you around to the main town centers. Bikes can also be hired from local travel agencies as well as cars and scooters from car rental companies. My preference is to personally hire a car so you can go and explore easily at your convenience. A thing to note is that hiring a car in summer (especially around July / August) can be difficult, and if you leave it to when you arrive, cars may not be available. Book in advance if possible.

Ferry travels between the islands — Sunset over Croatia

What to eat in Croatia

In most places in Croatia, the menus at restaurants (called Konobas in Croatian) are well-catered for tourists. You will find lots of pasta & pizza (some better than others), meat, and seafood. I was initially put off by the very touristy-looking menu, but I must admit, in most instances, I was quite impressed. The fish & seafood in Croatia is abundant and delicious, especially on the coast and the islands.

The typical Dalmatian Style seafood is just grilled and dressed very generously with olive oil, parsley, and garlic. There is an old saying in Croatia:

The fish in Croatia must swim 3 times, first in the sea, then in olive oil, and then in wine!
Traditional Dalmatian Saying

seafood platter in Croatia — Seafood platter served with potatoes

You will generally find Skampi (prawns with long claws), octopus, squid, and local Adriatic fish varieties on a seafood platter.

Other popular dishes are Black Ink Risotto, Octopus salad, and generous plates of ‘small fried fish‘ (minnows). A traditional side dish to accompany seafood and meat is par-boiled potatoes with a local variety of a green similar to Swiss chard, called Blitva.

a typical Croatian dinner of seafood & grilled meats — Seafood and grilled meats at the Konobas in Croatia

For any meat eaters out there, you will also find plenty of grilled meat dishes and stews too. Cevapi is a popular street food in Croatia. They are skinless sausages made of pork and beef, with lots of paprika and garlic. They are served grilled, usually in flatbreads, loaded with lots of Ajvar, a spicy and extremely delicious capsicum/red pepper, and eggplant spread. You can often find imported Ajvar in European specialty stores to buy too.

Restaurants in Dubrovnik — Restaurants or ‘Konoba’ in Dubrovnik

Ice cream shops are plentiful in Croatia and Rožata (a Croatian version of baked crème caramel) are popular desserts if you still have room!

These are 3 of the Best Islands in Croatia

Korčula

Korcula Old town — Korčula Old Town – Image by invisiblepower from Pixabay

What to see in Korčula

Popular on the tourist route and one of the larger Adriatic Islands – Korčula has a glorious Old Town that is almost a miniature version of Dubrovnik. Beautifully maintained and built with Gothic and Renaissance architecture, it’s a must see in Korčula. If you look at a map of the old town, the streets were cleverly laid out in a fishbone shape in order to protect from the sun and wind.

Korcula Old town gate — Old Town Gate in Korčula

An interesting, although controversial, part of history for Korčula, is that it claims to be Marco Polo’s Birthplace, so you can see from the outside his supposed house, as well as a museum, and (lots of) souvenir shops.

Racisce, a small village in Korcula — The village of Racisce – 12 km west of Korčula Town

The beaches in Korčula are stunning and there are lots of places to see. Most of them are pebbles or rocky so arm yourself with some proper footwear! Nearby Lumbarda, does although have some great sandy beaches. If you are after a bit more quiet, the nearby islands of Proizd, with its turquoise waters and sloping rock formations, and Badija with its Franciscan monastery and deers roaming around, are fantastic day trips from Korčula.

The turquoise waters of Proizd island nearby Korcula — Proizd Island – 35 minutes via boat from Korčula

How Long to Stay in Korčula

4 – 5 Days

Accommodation in Korčula

There is a limited amount of full-service hotels on the islands, most of the accommodation is apartments and guesthouses. Korčula Town, Vela Luka & Lumbarda are the most popular places to stay. The small village of Racisce is a bit quieter but also a great little town to be based in if you have a car to get around. Check out Booking.com for a wide range of accommodations in Korčula.

Getting to Korčula

There are two major Ferry ports in Korčula – Domince & Vela Luka. Daily Ferries and Catamarans from Dubrovnik (approx. 2 hours), Split (approx. 3 hours), Hvar (approx. 1.5 hours).

Check Jadrolinija’s website for full schedule.

Vis

What to see in Vis

One of the less developed islands of Croatia, Vis is still rugged & filled with vineyards and was fairly undiscovered to tourism up till recently. This is mainly due to the island actually being closed off to tourist only up till 1989 as it was a military base.

Vis countryside — Church of St Nicholas, Vis

The two main towns of Vis and Komiža are cozy and stretch along the coastline of this small island. The main attractions are the local beaches of Stiniva & Zaglav (there are many more coves too) and taking a boat trip to Biševo to view the Blue Cave.

Bisevo cave in Vis — Biševo Cave, near Vis

How Long to Stay in Vis

3 – 4 days

Accommodation in Vis

There is a limited amount of hotels on the islands, most of the accommodation is apartments and guesthouses. Most of the accommodation is located in Komiza or Vis Town. Check out Booking.com for a wide range of accommodations in Vis.

Getting to Vis

There is one Ferry port in Vis – Vis Town. Daily Ferries and fast catamarans from from Split (approx. 1.5 to 2.5 hours).

Check Jadrolinija & Krilo for full schedule.

Hvar

What to see

Green Hvar has become to be known as one of the party islands of Croatia. It has lots of bars, beach clubs and can get very busy over the summertime. The main town of Hvar is located on the harbour and rows and rows of luxury yachts line the waterfront of this beautiful island. The town centre itself is quite small and can be seen easily in a few days. St Stephens Cathedral has been standing proud in the main square for centuries and is worth a visit as you stroll through town.

St Stephens Square & Cathedral in Hvar — St Stephen’s Square & Cathedral in Hvar

Take a 30-minute hike to Hvar Fortress for fantastic views over the island. To cool off, head to the nearby beach of Dubovica or take a boat trip over the swim in the clear blue waters of Pakleni Islands.

How Long to Stay in Hvar

2 – 3 days

Accommodation in Hvar

Due to being ‘the place’ to be in Croatia, Hvar has some of the most luxurious and expensive accommodations of all the islands. Accommodation in the old part of Hvar town can be very pricey and noisy over the summertime so venturing further out of town and staying in apartments and guesthouses can be a more affordable option. Stari Grad in the north of the islands also has accommodations and is a quieter, more affordable alternative to Hvar Town. Check out Booking.com for a wide range of accommodations in Hvar.

Hvar Fortress & Harbourside — Hvar Fortress & Harbour – Image by Joëlle Moreau from Pixabay

Getting to Hvar

There are two major Ferry ports in Hvar – Stari Grad and Sucuraj. Daily Ferries and Catamarans from Split (just over 1 hour), Korčula (approx. 1 hour), Dubrovnik (approx. 3 hours).

Check Jadrolinija & Krilo for full schedule.

Book

Hope you enjoyed this article! Want to read more? Check out more of my posts below:

Where is better: Dubrovnik or Split? HERE.

How to Save Money When Travelling Around Europe HERE & Europe Hidden Gem Destinations HERE.

To compare and book flights to Europe, head over to Skyscanner.

Looking for some great hotel deals? Check out Expedia or Booking.com.

Compare car hire prices at Expedia Cars.

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Destinations July 27, 2023

Dubrovnik vs Split. Where is better?

Visiting Croatia or Island Hopping in the Adriatic and want to know where you should base yourself for your trip? Learn more about what there is to see in both towns to find out Where is better: Dubrovnik vs Split.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is such a charm. The location, the walls, the views! The Old Town is beautifully preserved, despite a massive earthquake that hit the city in the 17th century and the most recent Siege of Dubrovnik back in 1991.

The buildings were all rebuilt post-earthquake in Baroque style and long walls and forts surround the whole city. Walk through the Pile Gate, through to the main promenade of the Stradun, and stroll along the City Walls. The city also gained even more popularity in recent years due to being a filming location for Game of Thrones! Check out THIS POST to see where are some of the filming locations.

Pile gate in Dubrovnik — Pile Gate Dubrovnik

Best time to visit & How long to stay

It does get busy during the summertime, especially when big cruise ships are docked in for the day. If you want to avoid the crowds, travel out of season before June or from late September. If you are there during summer, head out early in the morning or late at night once all the day trippers from the cruise ships have left.

Although the town of Dubrovnik in itself is not that big, it’s best enjoyed at a relaxed pace for 3 to 4 nights.

clifftop bar in Dubrovnik — Clifftop Bar in Dubrovnik

You WILL love

The beautiful Old Town & city walls
Wondering around the cobbled streets and hidden alleyways
The stunning clifftop bars, like Buza Bar!

You might NOT love

The tourist crowds over the summer season
It can be very expensive
Limited accommodation options within the Old Town

Split

Split is a vibrant city, and compared to Dubrovnik you will notice that this is more of a place where the locals actually live and work. The city is much bigger than Dubrovnik, it’s in fact the second biggest city in Croatia. It has lots of accommodation, restaurants & bars which also makes it also much more affordable place to stay for budget conscious travellers.

strolling along the Riva in Split — The Riva in Split

Although quite a big part of Split is now modern, one area still has the remains of one the best preserved Roman ruins, the Diocletian Palace. Take a stroll through the maze of laneways and stop at one of the many cafes or walk along the beautiful harbour, the Riva. Nearby Bacvice Beach is great for a swim too!

Best time to visit & How long to stay

Some cruise ships still dock in Split so it can get quite busy in peak summer season during June, July & August. Out of season during May and September the weather is still very pleasant and the accommodation affordable.

1 to 2 nights is sufficient to see the city and its main sights.

You WILL love

An inviting town centre within the Diocletian Palace & appealing harbourfront
More choice of accommodation, restaurants & nightlife in the city centre
More affordable than Dubrovnik

You might NOT love

Less historical attractions compared to Dubrovnik
The ‘Old Town’ part of the city is quite small

Old town Split — Split Old Town – Image by Michelle Raponi from Pixabay

Travelling via ferry to the islands

Apart from the islands of Krk, Brac & Losinj, none of the other Islands in Croatia have airports so you will need to take a ferry to get to them. Most of the popular ferry routes in Croatia are run by large car ferries or catamarans. Jadrolinija ferries serve routes to the islands from Dubrovnik & Split, as well as from Italy to Split (from Ancona, 11 hours), and Dubrovnik (from Bari, 7 hours). Local company Krilo also runs services from Split to some of the Croatian islands like Hvar, Korčula & Brac.

Want to read more about some of the Best Islands in Croatia? Check out my other post HERE!

To Sum it up: Where is better, compare Dubrovnik vs Split

Most people will usually base themselves in either Dubrovnik or Split on their trip to Croatia. If you have the time to do both cities, I say do both, they are different from each other and that may also make ferry connections to the islands easier so that you are not backtracking. If you can’t do both, I say go for Dubrovnik! The gorgeous Old Town won me over!

Square in old town Dubrovnik — One of the many squares in Dubrovnik

Book

Hope you enjoyed this article on Where is Better: Dubrovnik vs Split. Want to read more? Check out more of my posts below:

These are 3 of the Best Islands in Croatia.

How to Save Money When Travelling Around Europe & Europe Hidden Gem Destinations.

To compare and book flights to Europe, head over to Skyscanner.

Looking for some great hotel deals? Check out Expedia or Booking.com.

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Travel Tips April 27, 2023

How to Save Money when Travelling in Europe

While we lived in London, the ultimate goal was to visit at least 20 countries and stretch our hard earned pounds as far as possible. So how can you get around to a lot of countries without breaking the bank? Here are my 5 Top Tips on how to save money when travelling around Europe – whether it’s for a quick weekend city getaway or a longer holiday, there are so many places that you can go and explore!

5 Top Tips on How to Save Money when Travelling in Europe

Take a Train

We were based in London so when travelling around Europe we mostly got some great flight deals on budget airlines – but we also discovered the convenience and cost saving of using train travel! We did quite a few trips from London with the Eurostar and not just across to the popular Paris – but also to Lille in the north of France, the Netherlands (hello Amsterdam!) and to Belgium.

Brussels main square — Brussels Grand-Place

A flight London to Brussels for example is around an hour long – but with the Eurostar it’s just under 2 hours and you can save on costly airport transfers in both locations. The trains are extremely comfortable, you skip the long queues at security and at the gates and you are taken right in the centre of town!

Another big plus is that you won’t have to worry about having that extra kg or two of souvenirs (like a big supply of Belgium beers and chocolate…) in your luggage, as that something that budget airlines are extremely strict about (and actually make some profit off the cheap fare you booked), so if your bag is even just slightly overweight, you will end up with a hefty fine.

taking the train like the Eurostar is a great way to get around to see different countries in europe — Image by Emil02050 from Pixabay

Venture off the most popular cities

Of course you want to go and see Rome, Paris, Barcelona and tick off those beauties on your bucket list. But don’t be put off by places you have never heard about, just take a punt and go! We would often look at a map and choose a random city we didn’t know much about for a weekend. When we wanted to travel to Poland – instead of going to Warsaw or Krakow, we discovered this awesome university town called Wroclaw. We had an amazing time venturing around this city, trying out the local vodka bars and sinking our teeth in some creamy potato pierogi, all without the tourist crowds and at much more affordable prices. You can read more about Wroclaw HERE.

The colourful market square in Wroclaw, Poland — Wroclaw Town Square

Travel outside the peak holiday times

The busiest time of year that people travel within and to Europe are the summer months between June and August. That is also when a lot of schools have their longer summer break. For beach destinations, consider May and late September to travel as you will find the weather is generally quite warm, for example the south of Spain or Portugal will be a balmy 25 degrees.

A sunny beach in Portugal during spring — Spring in Praya de Luz, Portugal

If you are planning to see cities, any time of the year is great to visit! Even if it’s the middle of winter just rug up! I can assure you that you will always find a cosy place to have something warming to eat or drink, or a museum to see if it rains or snows. You will get to see a place with mainly just the locals and really get absorbed into the local culture and feel of a place.

Winter in Budapest with view on the iconic chain bridge — Budapest Chain Bridge during a very snowy February

In London for example, the weather can be a real hit and miss most of the year. Avoiding the summer and travelling in spring (late March / April) is a great alternative. You will get to see the many beautiful gardens in full bloom and the accommodation will be a bit more affordable.

Spring in bloom in one of the many public gardens in London — Regent Park in London, during spring

Check ahead what’s on where you are travelling to

If you are planning to take a trip outside of the tourist summer season – it’s still worth checking what is on when you are travelling. If there are big events in a particular city or town, you will find that the prices are generally higher, and it will also mean that the accommodation and car hire will be limited or expensive. These events could be anything from large events, conferences or gatherings, concerts or religious celebrations. Local tourism board websites are a good place to check, and unless it’s an event you are planning to attend, change dates if you can and you can save yourself some money!

A busy street during a Royal event in London — One of the many Royal Celebrations in London

On the flip side of that – local markets, are the place to be! Whether that is a weekly farmers market or a small local festival, these are fabulous opportunities to soak up the culture and have some great and CHEAP meals while you are out and about exploring. We stumbled the most incredible markets while travelling which were just an absolute feast for the senses.

Sweets at a market stall in Budapest — At a local Market in Budapest

Hire a car

If you are planning on travelling for longer than a few days in a country or city, instead of taking a tour – hire a car! Even if it’s for a day, you can venture out and explore other towns nearby. All you need is an international drivers license. With the distances in Europe between countries being manageable (with proper planning of course) you can also look into collecting a car in one airport and returning it to a different one. There is usually a one-way charge, but it may not much and worth the expense, to cover more of a country and save you from going back to the same airport you flew into.

Crossing borders when possible with a hire car is a great way to save money when travelling around europe — Crossing the German – Swiss Border

If you are planning to travel across countries that are nearby, car companies in Europe will also usually allow you to take the car across borders – you just need to let them know when you book (I prefer to book a hire car in advance to secure a good rate) so that they can apply the appropriate insurance cover and let you know if there are any restrictions in the countries you are planning to travel to. By getting around with a car you will be able to get to places that may not be accessible at all by public transport or that tours miss all together! You will be guaranteed to stumble upon some fantastic little towns as you drive through that you might have missed completely!

One of the ways to save money when travelling around europe is hiring a car to get around! — Driving on a roadtrip to Scotland

Book

So are you ready to travel? Hope you found my tips on How to Save Money when Travelling in Europe and save yourself some money useful.

Browse some great Hotel deals, so check out Expedia or Booking.com.

To book a car, check out Expedia in their Car Hire section!

Check out the best airfares to get to Europe, check out Skyscanner.

Want to read more about Europe’s Destinations? Check out my post on The Top 5 of Europe’s Hidden Gems HERE.

Happy travelling!

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