NEAR DUBROVNIK - Croatia and Slovenia - page 566

Sleeping and Eating on Mljet
(€1 = about $1.30, country code: 385, area code: 020)
$$$ Hotel Odisej, the only hotel on the island, has more charm than most renovated com-
munisthotels.Sittingrightonthewaterfront,with157rooms,it'sapredictablycomfortable
homebase(Db-€200inpeakseason,butratesflexwithdemand;closedmid-Oct-mid-April,
air-con, elevator, tel. [phone], www.hotelodisej.hr , [e-mail] ) .
$ - $$ Sobe and Apartments: Mljet has a wide range of private accommodations, with a
few in each town or village. If you arrive without a room, the TI in Pola č e or Hotel Odisej
in Pomena can help you find something. If you're looking in advance, check out the island
website, www.mljet.hr . I'd choose a place in the population centers of Pola č e or Pomena
(for their easy access to the park) or in the cute Great Lake-front village of Babine Ku ć e
(neartheSmallBridge).Toreallygetawayfromitall,littleend-of-the-roadSoline(nearthe
channel connecting the Great Lake to the sea) is rustic and remote, and has several options.
For eating, many good restaurants are scattered around the island. There isn't one that's
particularly worth seeking out—just eat when it fits your itinerary (or bring a picnic).
Mljet Connections
To Dubrovnik and Kor č ula by Catamaran: Thespeedy,made-for-day-tripperscatamaran
called Nona Ana runs daily in each direction between Dubrovnik and Mljet. In the summer
(June-Sept), it goes every morning from Dubrovnik to Sobra, then on to Pola č e (the best
stop for the national park, 1.5 hours). In the peak months of July and August, it sometimes
continues to Kor č ula town (45 minutes beyond Pola č e, 4/week) and Lastovo Island (2
hours beyond Pola č e, 2/week). In the afternoon, it returns to Dubrovnik via the same route,
bringing tired but happy side-trippers back to the city. It's less handy in the winter (Oct-
May), when it departs Dubrovnik in the afternoon and goes only as far as Sobra and Pola č e.
Confirm the schedule at www.gv-line.hr , and double-check your plans with the Dubrovnik
TI. To be sure you get a ticket in peak season, show up early (ideally 1.5 hours before the
boat leaves).
Even though this boat works perfectly in summer for day-tripping from Dubrovnik to
Mljet National Park, it doesn't work as well for connecting to Kor č ula, because it just goes
there on some mornings and is handy only if you're heading north after spending the night
on Mljet.
Between Mljet and Other Destinations: All other destinations (including Hvar, Split,
and day-tripping from Kor č ula) are more conveniently connected to Mljet by excursion
than bypublic transit. The approximately €50price tag foran all-day excursion seems high,
but remember that it includes the 90-kn (€12) park admission fee and saves you the hassle