Brač, Vis ​& Dubrovnik

Brač

Brač is the island closest to Split; multiple Jadrolinija ferries head there and back each day. From the port of Brač, the beautiful beach town of Bol is easily accessible by bus. Zlatni Rat beach in Bol is known for its peninsula jutting out into crystal clear water. The stones on this beach are so smooth that it actually felt amazing to walk across them.

For a more exhilarating experience, I would recommend the Vidova Gora trail in Brač. This trail leads to the highest point in the Adriatic, from which you can look out and see many other Croatian islands. The hike can be done in a few hours and is seven miles roundtrip. I started late in the day after some time on the beach. As the sun started to set I camped a short distance from the trail. While it’s technically illegal to pitch a tent anywhere other than a designated campsite in Croatia, I felt completely safe and had no problems.

Vis

Vis is the third island out from Split. I spent two weeks there volunteering for a Croatian family. This was kind of a strange experience because they really didn’t need help with anything. On the Workaway website, the host advertised the position as a nanny for their two children, but their aunt was actually staying there at that time and took on the responsibility of looking out for the kids. I still played with them but as they did not speak English and I do not speak Croatian, our interactions mostly entailed playing tag and rough housing. I was given the task of weeding the strawberries, which took only a few days to complete.

On Vis I lived a traditional Croatian life. We ate carob and cherries from the trees. The family I was living with made their own raki alcohol. We also enjoyed lots of Croatian wine. Strangely the island reminded me of Los Angeles, mainly because of the similar climate. Vis hardly ever receives rain and everything was dry and dusty. The summer I was there, the island was preparing for the filming of Mama Mia Two. This movie could serve as a preview of the island’s beauty for anybody considering making the journey.

While volunteering for the Croatian family, I had the awkward experience of attracting a not-so-secret admirer. As I was later told, the island of Vis has far fewer females than men. Most kids that are raised on the island later move to the city for more job opportunities. The neighbor of my host was a middle aged man who had never found a life partner, and his options were extremely limited on that island. He didn’t speak a word of English, but it was clear he fancied me. He first revealed his affection towards me by making a flower crown from material in his garden. One day the family and I were headed to the beach when we saw a structure hanging over their road that consisted of my name created by flowers. I was flattered by the romantic gesture. However, the fact that I didn’t feel the same affection towards him made for some awkward interactions with the neighbor. If you do fancy having a peaceful life on an island in Croatia and you are a lady, just go to Vis and men will be fighting over you!

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is in the southern part of Croatia. It has become quite the tourist trap in recent years because some scenes from the Game of Thrones series (Kings Landing) were filmed there. Prices were much higher than anywhere else I had been in Croatia. The castle area looked magnificent but was hard to appreciate through the crowds of tourists with their selfie sticks. For a fee it is possible to climb the fortress walls going around the castle and get a view that I hear is lovely. Just past the castle is a beach with wooden structures people can lie out on. The beach vantage point gives you a great view of the castle and makes a lovely spot for a beach day. Overall, I was slightly underwhelmed by Dubrovnik. With that being said, it is probably worth a look as long as your expectations are low.