Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
thisbeach,youcanworkyourwayupandovertotheothersideoftheisland(onveryrocky
trails).
For an even more serious hike, head right from the boat dock for the two-hour hike that
goes all the way around the island, and consider a detour to its highest point (at 315 feet
above sea level), capped by Fort Royal, an old Austro-Hungarian military fortification.
You'll find a few cafés scattered around the island, mostly along the main path from the
boat dock to the monastery complex.
Elaphite Islands (Elaiti)
This 13-island archipelago, just north of Dubrovnik, is popular among day-trippers because
it allows you to hit three different islands in a single day: Kolo
č
ep, Lopud, and Šipan.
These “Deer Islands” (supposedly named for their shape—though I don't see it) are a bit
overhyped and can't hold a candle to some of the more distant Dalmatian islands, such as
Kor
č
ula and Hvar. Skip them unless you've got time to kill, need a break from Dubrovnik's
crowds,andwantalazydaycruisingDalmatia.Alongtheway,you'lldiscoverfishingports,
shadyforests,invitingbeaches,andforgottenescapemansionsofoldDubrovnikaristocracy.
The two smaller islands (Kolo
č
ep and Lopud) are traffic-free, making them a restful back-
water getaway. While there's little to actually see on each island, each church, beach, and
walkingpathiswell-signed,makingiteasytojustwander.Bringdecentfootwearforhiking
uneven trails, and pack along swimwear if you like. While time is short on land, each island
has some sort of beach relatively near the boat dock; on a hot day, you could just wear your
swimsuit on the boat and make a point to take a dip at each stop.
Getting There:
The easiest way to cruise the Elafiti is to buy an excursion at
Dubrovnik's Old Port, which usually includes a “fish picnic” cooked up by the captain as
you cruise (about 250 kn with lunch, several boats depart daily around 10:30-11:00, re-
turn around 15:45-19:30; so they can be sure to buy enough food, companies prefer you
to reserve and pay a 50-kn deposit the day before). For a bigger and more memorable
ship—and a more corporate experience—you can book an excursion through Atlas to go on
their
Karaka
, a modern replica of the traditional cargo ships once built here in Dubrovnik
(
www.atlas-croatia.com
)
. Regardless of which company you go with, you generally spend
abouttwotothreehoursonLopudandaboutanhoureachonKolo
č
epandŠipan,withabout
2.5 hours on the boat. To get to the Elaphite Islands without a tour (on a cheap ferry), you'll
sail from Dubrovnik's less convenient Port Gruž.
