Rogač - Dubrovnik

From Rogač, the oldest coastal town on the island of Šolta, you will sail towards the westernmost part of the island to visit the town of Maslinica. The entrance into the bay is hidden behind six islets. The biggest islet, 70 m high Stipanska, is the furthest to the west. It is covered in thick macchia which hides the remains of an early Christian 5th century basilica and the remains of a Benedictine monastery. In Maslinica, there are old traditional houses as well as new apartments for summer vacations. On the forested south coast, there is a Baroque castle, newly rebuilt and turned into a hotel. Under the castle, there is a newly built Martinis Marchi Marina which has 50 berths and can accommodate mega yachts.

In the close vicinity of Maslinica is a bay called Šešula. It provides a good shelter during a strong mistral (a dry cold northerly wind) or tramontana (a cold wind from the northeast or north). If the winds are unfavorable, you can berth in Šešula, but be careful and drop your anchor chain deep enough because the depth of the bay is considerable.

From Maslinica you sail towards the eastern coasts of the island of Vis. While approaching the town of Vis, you will be able to see two town fortresses on the hills: Velintun on the east side and Fortica on the west. Vis was not open to visitors because a military base was located there from the WWII to the beginning of the nineties, but it has since become a very interesting destination, especially for sailors. Stroll down the narrow streets of Vis (called kale), visit the Renaissance palaces and churches and take a peek into the past – the antique Issa has left traces of its existence everywhere.

On the third day we start sailing towards the island of Lastovo, surrounded by 46 uninhabited islets and clean sea rich in fish and lobsters. The vacation in Lastovo is a wonderful combination of peace and tranquility, crystal-clear sea and virgin nature, with traditional Mediterranean landscapes far from the industrial civilization. Because of their abundant natural wealth, Lastovo and the surrounding islands have recently become a nature park. The Zaklopatica lagoon is one of the prettiest and most picturesque landscapes on the island. It is renowned for gastronomic pleasures and nautical safety. It lies on the north side of the island, 2,5 kilometers from the main settlement, Lastovo, built on a steep slope facing the sun.

The island and the town of Korčula are the next destinations after Lastovo. Enjoy the beautiful scenery of this town after you have secured a berth, as the winds can blow unpleasantly here. Berths are available in ACI Marina Korčula or in the little bay of Luka Banja, a mile west of the town.

Just like Dubrovnik, the old town of Korčula is fortified. This small town is rich with cultural and historic attractions. One of the town’s unique traditions is the knight game of Moreška, a battle between the Black and the White King for the attention of the Lady. Ever since the 15th century, it has been a custom to perform this dance on July 29th, on the Saint Todor’s Day, but nowadays the performances are frequently given all around the tourist season. According to a legend, this town is said to be the hometown of the renowned navigator Marco Polo. If the sand beaches are your favorite, chose a berth in the Lumbarda’s bay on the eastern side of the island. The water is shallow near the coast so you cannot come very close. This lagoon is surrounded with fields and vineyards. The village of Lumbarda has a small marina with a couple of berths.

The following destination is Mljet. According to an ancient tale, this is the place where Ulysses got stranded and fell in love with the nymph Calypso. This breathtaking island will impress all its visitors. The largest bay on the island is Polače safeguarded from direct impacts of the winds. The remains of a Roman palace from the 2nd century, the largest of its kind in the Adriatic, can be found in this natural port. Polače can serve as an entrance point to a national park that covers the whole west peak of the island.

You can spend the whole day discovering the Mljet National Park or swimming in Veliko and Malo jezero. The silverish water of Malo jezero, surrounded by pine trees reflecting on its surface, will lure you to dive into it. A narrow canal connects the two lakes and during the tide the sea literally streams through the canal. While here, you can also reach the 12th century monastery of Saint Mary by boat from the national park. Many writers and poets from Dubrovnik have frequented this natural heaven in a pursuit for inspiration.

The road will take you further to the Elaphiti Islands. Take a break on the largest one, Šipan, and berth in the well-protected Šipan’s port, 12 nautical miles away from Dubrovnik. The island is covered with dense Mediterranean vegetation, palm trees and exotic flora planted by the navigators from Šipan. If you are interested in visiting sacral objects, there are many small churches and chapels worth exploring. The island is covered by historic fishermen houses and villas of the nobility from Dubrovnik. See Knežev dvor (Rector’s Palace) located very close to Luka and enjoy the view towards the inner part of the island, with fertile fields, olive orchards and vineyards. The Renaissance buildings and the local church of Saint Stephen from the 13th century are also worth visiting.

Today we sail into ACI Marina Dubrovnik. The marina is 6 km away from the city center of Dubrovnik which can be reached by a regular bus line or a taxi. This fortified town, an independent republic until Napoleon, was built in the 7th century, but blossomed in the 15th and 16th centuries, mostly thanks to trade, successful diplomacy and a powerful fleet. There are 17 churches in the Dubrovnik’s city core, Stradun, which is also home to one of the oldest European synagogue. Its landmarks, Orlando’s Column and Onofrio’s Fountain contribute to the city’s recognizable appearance, making it one of the most unique cities, not only in the Mediterranean, but in the world. During the big festival in summer, the streets and squares of Dubrovnik are filled with music, dancing and singing.