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Dubrovnik Riviera: Take a break in the jewel of Croatia

Spring is in the air and with it the year’s most exciting question: Where should you go on your next holiday?

Published: 13 April 2018 08:29 CEST
Dubrovnik Riviera: Take a break in the jewel of Croatia
Photo: Dubrovnik

Stretching down the coastline of the bottommost tip of Croatia, the karst landscape of Dubrovnik's Riviera has been carved by thousands of years of history. Countless islands, century-old monuments, national parks, beaches lapped by crystal clear water, it’s a veritable treasure trove of traveller’s delights.

Fort of St. Lawrence. Photo: Siggy Novak

Dubrovnik

The most famous attraction of the region is, of course, Dubrovnik’s Old Town. Encircled by sixteenth-century stone walls, in recent years it’s provided a filming location for productions including Game of Thrones, Star Wars Episode VIII, and Robin Hood: Origins.

Photo: Jacek Abramowicz

The city holds myriad other surprises, such as international music and theatre festivals, cultural happenings and other unique events.

Notable on the annual schedule is Dubrovnik Summer Festival, Croatia’s leading cultural event and one of Europe’s most outstanding cultural festivals. Starting with a bang, it opens with an evening of fireworks and music, followed by displays of theatre, cinema, concerts, operas and dance.

Dubrovnik Old Town. Photo: Clariston

At the end of June, Dubrovnik hosts another theatrical treat: Midsummer Scene Festival. This two-week event sees British and Croatian actors perform Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream in English on an open-air stage in the stunning Fort Lovrijenac.

And that’s just a snapshot of the many exciting events that are taking place in Dubrovnik this summer.

But don't be fooled into thinking Dubrovnik itself is all Dubrovnik Riviera has to offer.

From the natural beauty at Mljet island’s national park to the show-stopping gastronomical offerings and oenological pleasures of the Pelješac peninsula, there’s a cornucopia of cultural and natural wonders to be found.

Island of Korčula; a Venetian legacy

Venture out of the Old Town and discover the Venetian-influenced town of Korčula. Situated on a small island of the same name, the historic town fuses nature with cultural traditions and wonderful local restaurants.

Photo: A. Carli

With the same medieval charm as Dubrovnik, the narrow streets, old stairways, churches, palaces, mighty walls and fortress, all tell a unique story about the island’s history as a Venetian base in the Middle Ages. 

Nestled among the old buildings are a number of small, romantic restaurants to cosy up in; or why not stop for a coffee in one of the bars overlooking the old buildings that border the square?

Not many islands on the Adriatic can lay claim to sandy beaches, but Korčula is one of them. If you’re looking for somewhere to laze away with a book and a beer, or for a child-friendly beach, this is the arguably the best spot for you in the whole of Croatia.

Mljet: ‘Odysseus’s island’

The unspoiled nature and breathtaking scenery of Mljet is one of Croatia’s must-visit spots. Soak in the peaceful atmosphere; go for a dip, hop on a bike, hike one of the many trails in the National Park, or rent a canoe and see the island from a unique angle.

Photo: A. Carli

In the National Park itself are two saltwater lakes, Malo Jezero (Small Lake) and Veliko Jezero (Great Lake), connected to the sea by a narrow canal. At the southeast of the island, you’ll come across Saplunara Beach, one of the most picturesque sandy beaches in southern Dalmatia.

The island is also home to a cave which, according to legend, saved a shipwrecked Odysseus as he made his way home to Ithaca after the Trojan Wars. Take refuge in Odysseus’s cave, although keep an eye out for any wily goddesses — legend also has it that the beautiful goddess Calypso held Odysseus captive as her lover in the cave for seven long years. Must have been hell.

Pelješac: The ‘cradle of wine’

Pelješac. Photo: Ivan Ivanković

Since ancient times, there has been a long tradition of wine production on the Pelješac peninsula thanks to its many vineyards. Wine trails and wine tasting cellars are located alongside long and winding paths that connect this green peninsula.

Around the middle of the peninsula is the village of Žuljana, a tranquil oasis in a sandy bay facing the west. Known for its many beautiful sandy beaches, Pelješac’s sunsets aren’t to be missed while budding divers can choose from a number of trips organised by local diving centres.

Pelješac vineyard. Photo: Ivan Ivanković

Elaphites: Croatia’s hidden paradise

This small sun-kissed archipelago of 13 islands is a verdant and unspoilt example of idyllic southern Dalmatia. Spend a day island hopping and discover the untouched and perfectly preserved nature that still thrives on the islands.

The three largest and most populated of the Elaphiti islands are Koločep, Lopud and Šipan. For centuries, they represented a place of leisure, vacation and delight, due to the preserved surroundings, clean and clear sea, sandy beaches, beautiful pine forests, olive gardens, promenades, and footpaths.

Lastovo: A remote natural habitat

Considered one of the last paradises of the entire Mediterranean, Lastovo island is a rare example of untouched natural resources. The natural habitat on this remote island is rich in marine and plant life, which you can enjoy far away from the hubbub of other tourists.

Lastovo. Photo: Dubravko Leneret

The River Neretva Valley

The tour in a traditional boat — called a lađa — along the narrow canals and backwaters of the Neretva opens up a panorama of vast, verdant plains. The tour guide will familiarise you with life in the valley, showing you how the local people fish and harvest citrus fruits, figs, and grapes.

Don’t miss out on this authentic experience, revealing the closely-guarded secrets of the widely-known local delicacies, and make sure to toast with a glass of Neretva wine served from traditional wooden jugs.

Neretva River. Photo: Davorka Kitonic

Whatever you’re looking for, you’ll find it in the captivating and varied Dubrovnik Riviera. This is just a small glimpse of the many things there are to see and do. Whatever you choose, this is one holiday destination that won’t disappoint. 

Trip highlights include:

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  • Walk over the old Dubrovnik town walls
  • Take a break in one of the Stradun (Placa) coffee bars
  • Enjoy a biking tour through the Mljet island
  • Explore the secrets of Korčula town, a ‘Small Dubrovnik’
  • Take a kayak or canoeing tour around Dubrovnik and Mljet island
  • Explore local wine cellars tasting the red and white wines of the region
  • Indulge yourself in Ston oysters and seafood
  • Full-day Konavle Valley excursion
  • Island hopping on Elaphite islands

This article is produced by The Local Client Studio and sponsored by the Dubrovnik and Neretva County Tourist Board and  Croatian National Tourist Board.

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TRAVEL NEWS

German train strike wave to end following new labour agreement

Germany's Deutsche Bahn rail operator and the GDL train drivers' union have reached a deal in a wage dispute that has caused months of crippling strikes in the country, the union said.

Published: 26 March 2024 09:55 CET
German train strike wave to end following new labour agreement

“The German Train Drivers’ Union (GDL) and Deutsche Bahn have reached a wage agreement,” GDL said in a statement.

Further details will be announced in a press conference on Tuesday, the union said. A spokesman for Deutsche Bahn also confirmed that an agreement had been reached.

Train drivers have walked out six times since November, causing disruption for huge numbers of passengers.

The strikes have often lasted for several days and have also caused disruption to freight traffic, with the most recent walkout in mid-March.

In late January, rail traffic was paralysed for five days on the national network in one of the longest strikes in Deutsche Bahn’s history.

READ ALSO: Why are German train drivers launching more strike action?

Europe’s largest economy has faced industrial action for months as workers and management across multiple sectors wrestle over terms amid high inflation and weak business activity.

The strikes have exacerbated an already gloomy economic picture, with the German economy shrinking 0.3 percent across the whole of last year.

What we know about the new offer so far

Through the new agreement, there will be optional reduction of a work week to 36 hours at the start of 2027, 35.5 hours from 2028 and then 35 hours from 2029. For the last three stages, employees must notify their employer themselves if they wish to take advantage of the reduction steps.

However, they can also opt to work the same or more hours – up to 40 hours per week are possible in under the new “optional model”.

“One thing is clear: if you work more, you get more money,” said Deutsche Bahn spokesperson Martin Seiler. Accordingly, employees will receive 2.7 percent more pay for each additional or unchanged working hour.

According to Deutsche Bahn, other parts of the agreement included a pay increase of €420 per month in two stages, a tax and duty-free inflation adjustment bonus of €2,850 and a term of 26 months.

Growing pressure

Last year’s walkouts cost Deutsche Bahn some €200 million, according to estimates by the operator, which overall recorded a net loss for 2023 of €2.35 billion.

Germany has historically been among the countries in Europe where workers went on strike the least.

But since the end of 2022, the country has seen growing labour unrest, while real wages have fallen by four percent since the start of the war in Ukraine.

German airline Lufthansa is also locked in wage disputes with ground staff and cabin crew.

Several strikes have severely disrupted the group’s business in recent weeks and will weigh on first-quarter results, according to the group’s management.

Airport security staff have also staged several walkouts since January.

Some politicians have called for Germany to put in place rules to restrict critical infrastructure like rail transport from industrial action.

But Chancellor Olaf Scholz has rejected the calls, arguing that “the right to strike is written in the constitution… and that is a democratic right for which unions and workers have fought”.

The strikes have piled growing pressure on the coalition government between Scholz’s Social Democrats, the Greens and the pro-business FDP, which has scored dismally in recent opinion polls.

The far-right AfD has been enjoying a boost in popularity amid the unrest with elections in three key former East German states due to take place later this year.

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