MAY IS DEFINITELY ONE OF THE BEST MONTHS TO TRAVEL- the winter is long gone,the temperatures in Europe are in the 20s and you can smell the summer in the air. You took out your summer dresses and shorts and you finally decided to visit Dubrovnik. Beautiful and popular, Dubrovnik is the place to be this summer. But what about its nearby regions? Less than an hour away from Dubrovnik- and you won’t believe these places! Avoid the traffic jams and crazy tourist crowds in The Old City; explore these unforgettable locations and we promise- you will enjoy every second of it.
1. Konavle
It’s placed in the very south of Croatia, the most southern part of today’s Dubrovnik Riviera. Dubrovnik Republic purchased it and in the 15th century . Konavle is a region with special natural beauties and contrasts: valleys, mountains, hills and stone. It’s almost devided by color: the blue and the green. The inhabitants of Konavle separate the two areas of Konavle with names “Gornja”(Upper) and “Donja” (Lower) Banda (Side)”. Breathtaking Konavle hills are placed on the North, the Adriatic Sea is on the South side, it spreads to the entry into the Bay of Kotor, but also to the peninsula of Prevlaka on the East, and beautiful Cavtat and Obod on the West. Thanks to the people, it has preserved natural, unique and exceptionally precious rural architecture and many monuments of the thousand-year-old history of this area.
2. Cavtat
Cavtat is placed on the very south of Croatia. The most practical way to reach this little town is by air since Čilipi (Dubrovnik) airport is just three miles from it. It’s population is around 1,500 people. It is also part of the Dubrovnik Riviera. This place is very attractive because of the Mediterranean vegetation that covers the entire area. The sea is very clean, and architecture is also pretty interesting; it is a fun mix of old and new. The history? Well, it was an old Greek settlement named Epidauros. After that it was under the Romans and it became their colony. The name comes from; Civets vet us, as people from the newly built Dubrovnik used to call their first habitat.
3. Korčula
Rich in vineyards, olive groves and small villages, and harbouring a glorious old town, the island of Korčula is the sixth-largest Adriatic island, stretching nearly 47km in length. The dense woods led the original Greek settlers to call the island Korkyra Melaina (Black Korčula). Quiet coves and small sandy beaches dot the steep southern coast while the northern shore is flatter and more pebbly.
Tradition is alive and kicking on Korčula, with age-old religious ceremonies, folk music and dances still being performed to an ever-growing influx of tourists. Oenophiles will adore sampling its wine. Arguably the best of all Croatian whites is produced from pošip grapes, which are only grown here and to a lesser extent on the Pelješac Peninsula. The grk grape, cultivated around Lumbarda, also produces quality dry white wine.
4. Koločep
This island is part of the Dubrovnik island group (the Elaphite archipelago), situated 7 kilometres northwest of Gruz Harbour. The island has an area of 2.35 km2.
The most of the island is forests and subtropical vegetation. People here work in agriculture, fishing and wine making. They grove olive, pomegranate, citrus, vegetables… Except the baeutiful gardens, this island offers the breathtaking beaches and a large bautiful park.This is one of the best excursion spots from Dubrovnik. Just like Konavle, it’s also devided on two settlements, Donje Celo and Gornje Celo. One is placed on the East coast and the other on the West,but a windy road connects them through olive groves and gardens.
5. Šipan
According to some, Šipan is one of the most beautiful islands near Dubrovnik. But according to facts, it’s the biggest island in the Elaphite archipelago, and it is placed 17 kilometres from Dubrovnik. Its untauched nature is rich with olive and prune trees. Let’s not forget the vineyards, lemons, almonds, oranges… Tourism also has a special place on the island. In the 15th century summer homes were built here by government officials from Dubrovnik.
You can explore these and many other magnificent locations with Adriatic Explore.
