A few years ago, my friends and I went to Croatia, where we fell in love with the country, its people, and their seasonal farm-to-table cuisine. I made a promise to myself to return someday. This time around, our trip to Croatia came with a twist! One of my travel companions from the West Coast was a nature enthusiast and a significant reason for us opting into this six-day Active Adventure. We would visit two islands, Hvar and Korcula, where we would go biking, hiking, and kayaking. Yes, we discovered the hidden treasures in Hvar and Korčula this time!
Our adventure began at the Split Harbor on Pier 17, where we boarded “Zadar,” our ferry to Hvar. We arrived at the beautiful harbor town of Stari Grad, and the guides transferred our luggage to Hotel Adriana. This hotel, located on the Riva (boardwalk) in Hvar, gave us a front seat to the Adriatic Sea.
Our first-day bike ride started in Stari Grad and ended in Hvar Town. We were given the rules of engagement for biking safety, which are fitted for electric bikes, and a tutorial for the Ride with GPS app. The attention to detail was excellent, especially for non-daily cyclists. We’re headed to Hvar Island!
Hvar Island
Hvar Island is known as the sunniest island in Croatia. It boasts pine forests, vineyards, and olive groves along its forty-two-mile-long coast. During our biking route, we had the opportunity to witness the island’s natural beauty, magnificent coastline, and Venetian architecture up close. We cycled for twenty-seven miles, passing the Renaissance churches and Mina Bay. Our two guides, Daniel and Marco, were excellent instructors who had covered many miles. They ensured our safety by monitoring busy intersections and planning stops for snacks and water throughout the day. We pedaled to Jelsa and continued to Vrboska, also known as “Little Venice.” Late in the afternoon, we checked into Hotel Adriana and had some “me-time” before enjoying the welcome dinner in Hvar. Tomorrow, we will kayak the Pakleni Otoci Islands.
Sea Kayak Pakleni Otoci Islands
Our day started with a brief boat ride to the Pakleni Otoci islands, where we received life vests and a short tutorial on kayaking. We were then paired up and assigned a two-person kayak, and our belongings were secured in dry bags that were safely attached to the kayak. Our kayaking adventure began as we paddled through the bays of Marinkovac Island, enjoying the fragrant scents of pine, lavender, and rosemary from the coast. The highlight of our excursion was reaching a secluded sandy beach on Sveti Klement Island, which can only be accessed by boat. We spent some time swimming, snorkeling, and exploring the rocky coast before returning to our kayaks. We then continued paddling through the blue-green waters of Hell’s Island until we reached the small harbor of Palmizana, where we docked our kayaks and walked the path to a family-owned restaurant for lunch. There’s nothing quite like sitting down to a delicious meal after a morning of kayaking. Our guides shared that Croatians use simple seasonal ingredients to create the best meals. Our next destination was Korcula Island.
Cycle and Hike Korcula Island
Today, we transferred to Hotel Liburna, located on the eastern coast of Korcula Island. It’s just a 20-minute walk away from the city center. We took private boats to Vela Luka, situated in the western part of Korcula. The journey was beautiful, surrounded by pine trees and views of the Adriatic. We enjoyed the island’s stunning beauty outside our window. The hotel offers privacy and proximity to the town center.
We cycled around thirty miles with the help of our RideGPS app. The app generates a path between two points and builds a cue sheet containing turn-by-turn directions. The app doesn’t require cell service, so we downloaded our courses before every morning’s activity for the day. The app was beneficial, providing us with backup navigation and a safety net.
Korcula Island is famous for its white quarried stone, secluded bays, and breathtaking views. We cycled through dusty, quiet roads with vineyards, busier highways, and significant hills with stunning coastline views.
Hiking Peljesac Peninsula
On our second day in Korcula, we took a hike to Kocje Nature Preserve and witnessed the changing landscape from fields to forests with rock formations and a cave. We began our hike from the village of Žrnovo, a small town with just over a thousand inhabitants. We started on a dusty road and walked through vegetation and century-old stone walls, heading towards Kocje Nature Park. The park has been designated a special forest vegetation reserve and protected area since 1962. During our hike, we learned about the flora of this ten-acre reserve, which includes wild Mediterranean shrubs such as sage, rosemary, and immortelle. We also saw a variety of wildflowers, ferns, and mosses that are native to this reserve. As we hiked, we enjoyed the sounds of nature and climbed a few boulders that required us to be on all fours. Toward the end of our hike, we saw the Peljesac coastline and walked through the charming town of Zrnovo to Eko Škoj, a farm-to-table restaurant. The restaurant’s menu comprises traditional Dalmatian cuisine that uses fresh, locally sourced ingredients. The setting was perfect, with olive groves and vineyards as our backdrop. The food was so delicious that we think it was the best we’ve ever had!
Buggy Safari, Lumbarda Beach
On our last day on Korcula Island, we started with a buggy safari ride towards Lumbarda Beach. Our guides drove us to the buggy rental station, where we received a brief tutorial on operating the four-wheel buggy. The ride was bumpy, dusty, and exhilarating as we explored the island’s rough terrain, passing through olive groves, vineyards, and small villages. Our route took us on coastal gravel roads above Lumbarda and Zrnovo villages. Along the way, we stopped at a vineyard, where we tasted the sweetest grapes before heading to the Adriatic Sea beach. The next stop was a small private vineyard named Sabulum Winery that produces GRK, a white varietal indigenous to the Lumbarda village. It was the perfect ending to a perfect day.
Experiential Travel
Cycling through Hvar and Korcula, Croatia, was an unforgettable experience for me. The trip was about experiential travel, which means actively engaging with a destination or culture rather than merely visiting it as a tourist. In this case, it involved outdoor activities, cultural immersion, and personal growth. Every day, we challenged ourselves to do our personal best. We hiked the Kocje Nature Preserve and kayaked the blue-green waters of Pakleni Otoci islands, which was both challenging and rewarding. The maps and elevation give an idea of how demanding it was. However, experiencing these activities allowed us to connect with the place and time in a way that engaged all our senses and sensibilities. We also attended a traditional Moreska sword dance play that was over 400 years old. The play depicts dancers involved in a mock battle over a veiled woman. Although we didn’t understand the words, the story came through loud and clear, and the open-air night sky set the scene for a memorable evening.
Stretching our comfort zone and building camaraderie with people who chose to do the same helped us put the bar higher for our next travel adventure.
Traveling to a new destination is perfect for stepping out of your comfort zone and taking on new challenges. Whether hiking, biking, kayaking, or any other activity, there’s no better way to experience a new place than by getting active and exploring it firsthand. So, why plan your next adventure and push yourself to engage in new and exciting activities? You never know what you might discover about yourself or your world. It’s time to step out of your comfort zone and create memories that will last a lifetime!
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