Split to Split Route of Adriatic Coast

The largest of the islands of the Split archipelago is Brac, known worldwide as the island of stone and wind. Island of stone, because the finest quality stone has been quarried here for centuries by the highly skilled and hard working local stone masons. It has been used to build not only the local cathedrals and other grand edifices, but also a number of other prestigious buildings. Brac is also known as the island of wind. Nowhere else in the Adriatic, surfers tell us, does such a magnificent landward breeze blow as in the channel between Brac and Hvar, particularly at the beach known as Zlatni rat, whose shape actually changes depending on the direction of the wind and waves.

Vis is divided between two beautiful small towns at the foot of two large bays: Vis Town, in the northeast; and Komiza, in the southwest. There is friendly rivalry between the two – Vis Town is historically associated with the upper-class nobility while Komiža is proud of its working-class fishing heritage and pirate tales. The rugged coast around the island is dotted with gorgeous coves, caves and a couple of sand beaches. The island’s remnants of antiquity, displayed in the Archaeological Museum and elsewhere around Vis Town, offer a fascinating insight into the complex character of this tiny island, which has become a destination for in-the-know travellers.

Mother Nature has indeed been generous to Central Dalmatia, bequeathing to it a coastline and long pebble beaches shaded by fragrant pine trees and adorning its sea with the beauty of a string of islands of exquisite beauty. Immediately above the beaches of the famous Makarska Riviera is the Biokovo massif, still the habitat of the chamois. Here you can enjoy the rising of the summer sun, with a view that extends all the way to the outermost islands in the open waters of the Adriatic. Having been recently placed on the list of the ten most beautiful islands, sunny Hvar is, without competition, numbered among the most seductive of Dalmatian islands. Boasting the largest island town square on both sides of the Adriatic, one of the first communal theatres in Europe, built in long gone 1612, the Arsenal, the famous “Tvrdalj” Palace of Petar Hektorovic, and stone-paved, narrow streets, worn smooth and glisteningin the sun, it is difficult to decide whether Hvar captivates more with the harmony of its history and art, or with the beauty of its nature, enhanced with the intoxicating fragrance of lavender.

About the time that Marco Polo set sail for terra incognita, his hometown began to develop into a kind of urban sculpture built of stone with regular lines. That sculpture remains well preserved to this day. The streets of Korcula were carefully laid out by a local builder who was also an ingenious town planner. The streets are based on a fishbone pattern and are a true blessing in the summer. Although they bask in the golden glow of the sun both morning and afternoon, the heat of the midday sun is directed around them. If you want to experience the atmosphere of Korcula, may the good winds bring you here in July, when the city plays host to the International Festival of Song and Wine, celebrating the famous traveller, the Festival of Chivalry and the traditional sword dances performed in original costumes dating from the 16th century. The dances depict the struggle between the white king and the black king.

The northern part of the island of Hvar off ers an ideal combination of anchoring in little coastal towns, whilst in nearby Jelsa, Vrboska and Stari Grad there are a number of hamlets where you will fi nd excellent local wineries and an authentic selection of cuisine. Equally fun to explore is the interior of the island of Vis, while a visit to the hermitage of Blaca on Brac is one of the most beautiful trips which you can take when you leave your gulet yacht for the land.

The beach known as Zlatni rat, whose shape actually changes depending on the direction of the wind and waves. Also known as the Golden Horn, Zlatni Rat, on the island of Brac was formed by the sea’s currents into a unique natural phenomenon, and today thanks to the constant winds it is also a centre for lovers of windsurfing. Today boaters also happily visit Split, which thanks to the rich choice of cultural happenings and busy nightlife has for many become an unmissable spot during the navigation of the waters of Central Dalmatia. The ideal locations for kiteboarding and windsurfing are large, shallow, sandy beaches with plenty of wind.