The Wow Effect of the Elaphiti Islands
We had an amazing Elaphiti Islands boat tour with the traditional carrack ship (Karaka) from Dubrovnik. The cruise included a visit to the three inhabited Elaphiti islands – Koločep, Šipan and Lopud. Sailing on the carrack ship while enjoying the crystal blue Adriatic Sea was really enjoyable and relaxing. Since it was a full-day tour, the sun was very high almost all the time so we had to put on sunscreen often and a hat was a must, too. It is recommended to drink a lot of water during the tour, especially if you are travelling with children or elderly people so when we got to the ship we got a bottle of fresh water.
The Hidden World of the Island of Koločep
Our first stop was the island of Koločep or as locals call it – Kalamota, from kalamos, the Greek word for fishing rod. When we reached the little port on the island, we saw how the sea and the pine trees blended into a beautiful emerald green, giving us an impression of the little green jewel hidden from civilisation. The island of Koločep has no roads, making it ideal for nature and outdoor lovers who want to enjoy lush vegetation and beautiful sandy and pebble beaches in a very peaceful atmosphere.
When we arrived at the island, we had the opportunity to go hiking with the cruise guide Mrs Andreja or we could have a tasting of local products such as olive oil, honey and liquors. We chose the second option and were welcomed by a young representative of the family-owned farm (OPG) Matijević, who explained everything about his family’s rich tradition in agriculture: olive growing, liquor making and beekeeping. We had the opportunity to taste the delicious arancini, they were truly a delight. In the garden where the tasting was organised, the ambience was really peaceful and you could literally hear the birds singing (i.e. the island is famous for various bird species). It seemed like a total escape from the chaotic and noisy world we came from and a true refreshment for all the senses.
We didn’t have the chance to see a lot of Koločep during our cruise, but we will come back one day because of what we saw and experienced: all the historical sites, mainly churches and the scenic trails of the island.
A Visit to the Island of Šipan with Wine Tasting
While enjoying the dark blue colour of the sea, we were getting closer to the island of Šipan, the largest of the Elaphiti archipelago. We could immediately see the charming stone houses in the port and feel the laid-back atmosphere.
It was about midday and the sun was really high, and so was the temperature. A kind reminder that sunscreen and a hat were a must on this tour.
We had two options for activities on the island, either going to the beach or having another tasting. We chose the second one and it was an excellent option since, after a ten-minute walk from the port, we arrived at the house of the family Daničić. We had the opportunity to taste their excellent Šipan and Šime red wines, and a delicious homemade focaccia in the pleasant shadow of the terrace. It was all we needed at that moment. Since the island is well-known for its wine production and olive growing, it was an excellent opportunity to discover something the locals are very proud of. Since we were told Šipan had amazing beaches ideal for swimming and sunbathing, we were sad we had to leave, but another stunning island was on our list that day.
The Amazing World of the Island of Lopud
We arrived at the island of Lopud at about 1 p.m. and we had plenty of time to have lunch on the island and also to relax at the beach. The island of Lopud is renowned for its lush landscape, historical sites and sandy beaches.
One of the most famous sandy beaches is certainly Šunj beach, located on the southern part of the island. The fastest and the most fun way to reach that beach is the buggy, which takes you from one part of the island to the other in 5-7 minutes. If you have enough time, you can also go on foot. The sea at the Šunj beach is shallow, so it is ideal for families. Since it has several beach bars and restaurants, it also attracts a younger crowd who enjoys different kinds of drinks and the international and local cuisine.
After visiting the beach, we returned to the village of Lopud where we enjoyed a walk, admiring the beauty of the Franciscan monastery overlooking the Lopud Bay.
We visited some art galleries with hand-crafted products, such as the Art shop Lopud, where wood sculptures, oil paintings and souvenirs can be found.
The village of Lopud has several restaurants and cafes with a really nice and pleasant atmosphere for lunch with a sea view. It wasn’t easy to leave this beautiful and peaceful atmosphere of the island behind, but our carrack was leaving at 4 p.m.
All of the Elaphiti islands that we visited were worth it, and one day certainly wasn’t enough to enjoy everything these islands offer. The Elaphiti islands boat tour is ideal because you have the opportunity to explore a little bit of all of them, but of course, leaving a lot yet to be discovered. We arrived at Gruž Port in Dubrovnik at about 5 p.m., very satisfied, happy and full of beautiful memories.
The Elaphiti Islands boat tour with the traditional carrack ship (Karaka) from Dubrovnik can be booked through Valamar Experience Concierge at Valamar’s hotels in Dubrovnik.
P.S. Tastings and lunch are not included in the price of the boat tour!