As Poslovni Dnevnik/Darko Bicak writes on the 22nd of June, 2020, it's a well-known fact that Croatia is a nautical superpower, and the country is even a global leader by many standards when it comes to charters. Nevertheless, investments in new nautical facilities, primarily marinas, are relatively rare and mostly modest in their nature. That's why the project of Marina Korkyra, which recently came to life in Vela Luka on Korčula, is interesting.

Marina Korkyra is a huge investment of 42 million kuna made by a company called Ovalis nova, owned by the entrepreneurial family Šegon, which built a hotel of the same name in Vela Luka back in 2011 - Hotel Korkyra.

According to Ivo Šegon, the director of the aforementioned marina, after several decades of efforts, a new marina was built and opened in Vela Luka. Thus, Vela Luka can finally be presented as a new port of Croatian nautical tourism.

"Since the 80's, the project of the Port of Nautical Tourism has been waiting to come to life and bring some long-awaited changes to Vela Luka's tourism, as well as the future development of the place as a whole. Although the project took a little longer than we planned, during 2018 and 2019, construction work was carried out, and this year the marina was opened - we received the necessary permit back in mid-May,'' says Šegon.

Marina Korkyra boasts 132 berths, as well as a bar and restaurant overlooking the entire bay of Vela Luka. The marina is made as an island with two modern pavilions that are connected to the coast by bridges, which, according to the director, puts a special "stamp" on the recognisable visual appearance of the marina.

In the first pavilion there is a reception, souvenir shop and toilets, and in the second there is a bar and restaurant which are both open to boaters, as well as to all guests of Vela Luka and of course to the locals. The restaurant, says Šegon, offers dishes based on a combination of traditional and modern recipes, and most of the ingredients are procured from local suppliers.

The designers of Marina Korkyra, Maja Kuzmanović, an architect, and Mladen Vučković, a maritime designer, pointed out that at this moment in time, only the first phase of the marina has been completed, a large breakwater which works to protect the entire marina from adverse weather conditions and the elements, which also provides mooring for boats and promenades for tourists.

They add that this is a unique example of a marina that has pavilions on a large pier rather than on the shore, thus opening up additional space for users. The specificity of Vela Luka and its beautiful 9.5 kilometre-long-bay makes it a naturally safe place for boaters on the Croatian Adriatic.

As they are quite far from most Croatian airports in Vela Luka, as well as the main international roads, Marina Korkyra is currently filling its capacities with transit guests, the director notes.

"We have more and more inquiries from foreign guests who want to transfer their ships to a permanent berth here and we're happy about that,'' Ivo Šegon said.

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The introduction of a high speed maritime connection between Lastovo-Korcula-Dubrovnik that will operate throughout the entire year is sure to bring relief to many, especially to southern Dalmatia's island inhabitants who often have to deal with irregularities in maritime connections with the mainland and indeed other islands.

As Morski writes on the 21st of May, 2020, at a recently held session, the Croatian Government adopted an amendment to a previously taken decision on determining state lines in terms of public transport, with its focus on this occasion on regular coastal maritime transport.

This decision will see the very welcome introduction a new year-round high speed line operating along the route: Lastovo-Korcula-Dubrovnik, and vice versa, with the aim of better connecting beautiful Lastovo with its county centre - the City of Dubrovnik.

The introduction of this brand new line will contribute to the improvement of the economic and tourist development of Dubrovnik-Neretva County as a whole and will ensure the better connection of the popular islands of Lastovo and Korcula with Dubrovnik, as well as the proper and constant interconnection of these two islands.

Regular public transport in what is referred to as regular coastal maritime transport in the Republic of Croatia includes 53 state lines, with a total fleet of 77 ships in operation along them.

Funds for the new high speed Lastovo-Korcula-Dubrovnik line, as well as for the other 53 state lines which exist in this segment of public transport in the Republic of Croatia, are provided for in the state budget, in the total amount of 329.5 million kuna for the year 2020, with projections of the required annual funds for 2021 and 2022 in the amount of 340 million kuna foreseen.

For more on maritime connections, islands, border crossings, destinations along the coast, the islands and in the continental part of the country, follow our dedicated travel page.

February 23, 2020 - One of the great gourmet festivals returns for its third edition. If you are a foodie, don't miss the Korculanske Pjatance Spring Food and Wine Festival. 

I do feel a little guilty having a secret love for Korcula, having lived on Hvar for so many years. 

In my defence, I was initially seduced by the very best, as Korcula's most famous Brit and owner of luxury boutique hotel Lesic Dimitri invited me over for lunch one late August day. Conversation with Michael was as delightful as the Lesic fine dining, a selection of Grk and Posip, and that refreshing terrace breeze. I still remember writing about that first proper Korcula visit - few blogs have been more of a joy to write. 

I have visited Korcula many times since, as well as catching up with Michael whenever our paths cross in Zagreb, but my favourite time to visit is early May, for a foodie festival which takes place at a great time of year in pre-season, and is as close to Dalmatian gourmet heaven as I have experienced here in a festival. 

The Korculanske Pjatance Spring Food and Wine Festival is, for me at least, one of the best adverts of the finer things in life in Dalmatia, and a blueprint of how to develop gourmet tourism in the shoulder seasons. 

The weather in early May is usually gorgeous, with many taking their first swim of the season. The focus of the festival is on local products, celebrating the outstanding quality of Korculan food and wine. Several restaurants have come together to offer a rich selection of menus, as well as cooking shows and fascinating workshops. In the first year, the family came too, and my two young daughters really enjoyed the pasta workshop at Filippi, before foraging in the woods to find the herbs necessary for Petra Jelicic's pastry workshop in Pupnat. As well as the beach and desserts at Tara's Lodge, of course.  

This year's event has just been announced - four days from May 7 - 10, and if you are a foodie and in the area, put it in your diary. To get a flavour of the festival, check out the official video teaser above, or the list of articles TCN wrote as part of its coverage here.

More details of this year's Korculanske Pjatance are coming - you can follow the latest on Facebook. 

February 15, 2020 - The new Korcula port project will modernize the transport infrastructure and quality of connectivity for Korcula island with the surrounding islands and the mainland, but also create better conditions for increasing the quality of life of the islanders

Dalmacija Danas reports that after signing the Contract with COIN d.o.o. for the preparation of the main project of the new port of Polačišta in March 2019, a procedure for all necessary documentation for issuing a building permit followed. 

The value of the new Korcula port is approximately 150 million kuna and is funded by the Cohesion Fund of the European Union. The ŽLU Korcula is taking further steps in preparing the application for the grant contract, followed by public tenders for the contractor.

This project is of infrastructural importance for Korcula in terms of improving connectivity and infrastructure development. The aim of the project is to modernize the transport infrastructure and the quality of connectivity for Korcula island with the surrounding islands and the mainland, but also create better conditions for increasing the quality of life of the islanders. The implementation of this project and achieving the objective will ensure long-term sustainability and improve the quality of public maritime transport and increase passenger safety, jobs and stop young people from leaving the island.

“The new port of Korcula, as the largest project of the County Port Administration of Korcula, is a maritime construction facility in the function of receiving vessels of public maritime transport, then supply vessels, tourist and other vessels, both in local and international traffic. The eastern part of the port is planned for domestic passenger traffic or receiving ferries on the local line Korcula - Peljesac, as well as other vessels (catamarans, liners, tourists, etc.). 

In the western part of the port, there is a building of the port terminal that will receive passenger ferries in international traffic. On the far northwestern part of the coast, there is a pier, with the possibility of receiving vessels, both from the outside and from the inside. Overall, the port of Polačišta has about 550 m of operational coast, covering an area of ​​about 20 000 m2 and represents the largest investment in the port infrastructure for the island itself,” explained the director Ante Tvrdeić.

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.

November 20, 2019 - Brac, Hvar, and Korcula are currently in the process of developing a clean energy transition strategy.

Splitski Dnevnik reports that six European islands announced their clean energy transition strategies, making a significant step towards decarbonizing their energy systems with a strong focus on citizen engagement.

Six transition strategies to clean energy have already been announced as part of the program of the 4th Island Clean Energy Forum for the EU Islands, in Split and Hvar, where EU island community stakeholders meet from November 20 to 22 to discuss transitions, technologies, and opportunities for the active involvement of citizens in the European islands.

In the last 9 months, the following island communities actively developed Clean Energy Transition Strategies with a strong emphasis on the importance of involving all relevant stakeholders and putting citizens at the center of the transition: the Aran Islands (Ireland), the Cres-Lošinj Archipelago (Croatia), Culatra (Portugal), La Palma (Spain), Salina (Italy) and Sifnos (Greece).

• The Cres-Lošinj archipelago aims to decarbonize its energy system by 2040 completely. This will be partially achieved by local community-owned solar power plants.

• Culatra will work on 100% renewable energy owned by the local community.

• The Aran Islands will install community-owned wind farms, remodel homes and install heat pumps or other renewable energy sources for domestic hot water and space heating

• Salina aims to increase public awareness of energy and the environment. Salina will decarbonize its power generation plants, switch to 100% electrical/hybrid mobility on the island, increase efficiency in buildings, and decarbonize its maritime traffic.

• La Palma aims at full decarbonization and self-sufficiency in the energy sector. The island transition team is strongly focused on building a strong island energy system, actively including more than 100 local associations committed to supporting island transition.

• Sifnos wants to become 100% renewable and self-sufficient and has developed several different routes that the island could follow to achieve this goal. All plants will be co-owned by the local community and private investors.

"Thanks to the evolution of technology, the potential to reduce energy costs on the islands and the transition to energy independence has never been greater. In the context of the clean energy package for all Europeans, an essential Clean Energy Initiative for the EU islands is aimed at assisting and accelerating the transition process. Moreover, islands can be beacons for global climate action.

Whether it be the use of wind energy, the renovation of houses and buildings, the use of electric vehicles, the decarbonisation of maritime traffic or the use of renewable energy for hot water and heating, the decarbonisation solutions presented on these six pilot islands will drive them towards greater energy efficiency, the use of more renewable energy sources and low-carbon development routes,” says Ditte Juul-Jørgensen.

Energy transition strategies have been developed by island energy transition teams with the expert and advisory support of the EU's Clean Energy Secretariat. The readiness of these strategies will, in the coming months, guide the development of projects and strengthen local strategic frameworks that enhance the engagement and involvement of the local community. Additionally, they are currently in the process of developing a clean energy transition strategy for twenty other EU islands that will be published in the coming year, of which we highlight Brac, Hvar, and Korcula from Croatia.

Until now, island forums for clean energy have been held in different countries of the European Union - Greece, Spain, Sweden, and Croatia, namely Split and Hvar, has been selected as the fourth island forum.

Participation in the Forum in Croatia was confirmed by all levels of institutions, local and regional self-government units, ministry representatives, members of the European Commission and various other stakeholders from all over Europe. However, it is equally important that the Forum will be joined by representatives of more than 20 European islands in the process of transitioning to clean energy. The aim of the forum is to network island stakeholders from all over Europe and to foster dialogue with representatives of all decision-making levels in order to create a common vision for the transition of islands and to lay the foundations for its future realization.

On the first day of the conference, which will be held at the Le Meridien Lav Hotel, we will have opportunities to hear about the future of island policies from representatives from different EU and national institutions to create a common framework for further development. Considering that one of the activities during the Croatian Presidency of the European Commission is the creation of a long-term strategy for the further development of the EU islands, the panelists will present, through a moderated discussion, how the European islands will be provided with future support for their transition to clean energy.

During the second day, which will be held at the Hotel Amfora in Hvar, participants will have the opportunity to exchange experiences, learn about different technologies, but also learn about different models of islanders' involvement in energy transition investment projects. Leaders of energy transitions on the islands of Hvar, Brac, and Korcula will also present their views on the transition to clean energy.

To read more about lifestyle in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page. 

After four years of renovation, the ciborium sculpted by Marko Andrijić has been returned to St. Mark's cathedral in Korčula. 

One of the greatest Renaissance masterpieces in Dalmatia has been removed from the cathedral four years ago, and it spent the last four years in Split, where it went through the restoration worth almost a million kunas. The multi-storied altar covering, standing on four slim pillars, is made using the stone exclusively from Vrnik, and master Andrijić made it in the late 15th century - before the ciboriums of Trogir and many others in Italy. 

Six centuries later, the pastor of Korčula parish had the idea that the monument needed to be cleaned, as it got darker over the years. After the expert restaurateurs from Split came to see the situation, things got complicated. After they started the cleaning of some parts of the ciborium, it got apparent that there are fissures in the structure, which was quite unstable and unsafe. Some elements that held it together were damaged by time and earthquakes. After a structural engineer took a look, he was adamant that restoration was needed as soon as possible, Ivan Sikavica from Split Restoration Office who was in charge of the Korčula project told Dora Lozica for Dubrovački Vjesnik. 

They took him seriously, as one should when an expert is consulted, so they took the ciborium apart, and all the pieces were taken down by hand. The average weight of an individual piece is between 50 and 80 kg, and the crown, which weighs 200 kg, is the heaviest element. There are 51 elements overall, and once they all got transported to Split, the careful 3D imaging was done. That allowed the experts to analyze the pieces, imperfections, and deflections. Only after that and numerous discussions was the best course of action decided - and Sikavica says that it was the biggest project of their lives. 

In addition to restoring the existing elements of the ciborium, the team needed to make from scratch the eight new elements for the top roof. The ciborium was a victim of whimsy in the late 18th century when the then-bishop Kosirić decided to remove the final component of the roof and install a wooden sculpture of Jesus at the top. The master-restorators of today were able to build the new elements to replace the missing ones, using the same stone from Vrnik. The crown has also been put back, which has spent the last 200 years elsewhere, not where it belongs. 

The funds for the restoration project were secured by the Ministry of Culture and the Town of Korčula. The people of Korčula showed that they appreciate the investment, as well as the hard work by the experts when they filled the cathedral for the opening of the newly restored ciborium. Sikavica also wanted to thank them for their support, including acknowledging the mayor of Korčula, Andrija Fabris, for securing the Vrnik stone needed. Finally, the collaboration seems to be continuing, as there are ideas to keep working on the cathedral. 

This Monday, October 14th at 11 am the first EM Bioglobes throwing will be organized in Korčula.

The EM Bioglobes are an innovative product, which contains the "good bacteria" and other substances. When they get deposited at the sea bottom, the bacteria from them can clean around 1 square meter of the bottom. The EM Bioglobes are based on the innovative Effective Microorganism technology, developed in the eighties by the Japanese professor Teruo Higa, used in various settings to improve growth and yield of selected plants, but that have recently been used to improve the status of the seabottom.

In Korčula, the children from the Korčula elementary and highschool will participate in the throwing, along with the interested members of the public. The event will be organized near Punta Jurana, and hopefully not all 1000 globes prepared will end up at the same place! Before the globes are dropped, samples will be taken from the seabottom. The sampling will be repeated after two weeks, and those samples analysed to determine what effect they had on the status of the bottom where they were deposited. The results of this pilot project might lead to additional similar actions in the next year. The project is organized by the Adriatica Association for the Research and Preservation of the Natural Diversity of the Mediterranean, based in Korčula, as a part of their Month of Natural History. Last year we wrote about the similar Week they organized on Korčula, but have since decided to expand their activities to the whole month.

This is not the first time similar activities will be taking place in Croatia, as similar bioglobes have already been thrown into the sea in Rab and in some other locations in Croatia, but the results of those efforts are not widely known. Hopefully, we'll be able to read about and recognize the results of the EM Bioglobes deposited at the seabottom in Korčula!

Big 7 Travel, one of the world's leading travel websites, dedicated to tourism and destinations, published their comprehensive list of the 50 best islands in the world, and Croatia's Korčula found itself very near the top of the list, among the world's top 5 islands.

Number 5 is the position that Korčula ranked on that list, and first to fourth place were given to Flatey Island near Iceland, Palawan Island in the Philippines, Espiritu Santo Island in the Vanuatu archipelago and Norway's Sommarøy.

Each of the islands on the top 50 list got a brief description, and Korčula was introduced as "one of the must-visit destinations on Croatia’s South Dalmatian coast. It’s a little further out to get to than most of the other islands, so you can enjoy less crowds and a more laid-back feel. People call Korcula Town “Little Dubrovnik” because of its medieval squares, churches, palaces and houses, while the beaches and the dense forest offer incredible scenery." They also included a link to their destination website, dedicated to Croatia.

The methodology used to create the top 50 list included the votes by the website visitors (over a million and a half votes), previous sources and opinions by the website editors.

Korčula has probably gotten used to the flattery by the international and national media, as it has regularly been appearing on similar "The Best Of" lists, but still it is always nice to hear that a Croatian island has been given the compliment as one of the world's top 5 islands. In the past two years, towns on the island of Korčula have been given the Večernji list Tourism Patrol Award: Korčula Town in 2018, and Lumbarda in 2019.

September 18, 2019 - TCN is off to the birthplace of Marco Polo for the latest Property of the Week, a rare chance to buy in the idyllic old town of Korcula. 

It is, quite simply, one of the most divine places on the Adriatic coast, a small stone settlement of such perfection and heritage that it is impossible not to fall in love with it at first sight. 

Take a moment to appreciate its majesty from this early morning stroll in April this year.

A destination which is taking the right approach to tourism - quality over quantity, with a focus on its indigenous strengths - culture, heritage, gourmet, sailing and nature. 

And now, a slice of historic Korcula could be yours! In the words of our friends from Trgostan: 

An old stone house in one of the most sought-after locations in the Adriatic, within the historic core of Korcula old town, on four floor and of 120 sqm net (indoor area), consists of a one-bedroom two-story apartment and two en-suite bedrooms, so it may function as three rental units or as a spacious three bedroom/three bathroom house, with old stone preserved details, fully and tastefully furnished and equipped, in a quiet street, but very close to the sea and all amenities, rarely on the market.

For more information, prices and to book a viewing, check out the original Trgostan listing.

To learn more about this magical island, check out the Total Croatia Korcula in a Page guide.  

September 13, 2019 - The coast of Korcula is decorated with luxury as the yachts of billionaires Bill Gates and Roman Abramovich sail into the area.

The Planjak islet is located near the famous town of Korcula, situated to the northeast of the island. A local hotspot that draws in weekend beachgoers, Planjak is only accessible by water taxi, taxi boat, or kayak, as there is no public transport to the island. Located across the sea from southeastern shores of Badija, Planjak boasts three pebble beaches and is no stranger welcoming the sun all day long. Its colorful, crystalline sea makes it hard to skip, so it’s no wonder why some of the world’s biggest billionaires chose this area precisely to park their yachts on Thursday. 

Namely, Dalmacija Danas reports that the yachts of two world billionaires - Bill Gates and Roman Arkadyevich Abramovich, were anchored off the shores of Korcula, near Planjak on Thursday.

The two yachts likely anchored next to one another by chance. The Power Play Yacht is owned by Bill Gates, an American business magnate and one of the richest people in the world. You might know him better as the founder of Microsoft. The Power Play yacht has spent the better part of the summer cruising the Adriatic. Recall, Gates and his family were said to be exploring the coast of Montenegro at the beginning of August, though we are unsure if Gates is on his yacht currently. 

Ivica Trojanović

We do know that Gates loves Croatia and the Adriatic and often spends his summers swimming and sunbathing around Dalmatia. He even recommends Croatia to his friends.

But Gates’ yacht isn’t the only big player sailing the Korucla area, as the 110-meter-long yacht of Russian billionaire Roman Abramovich is calling this part of the coast its home for now, too. Namely, the Eclipse, which was once known as the largest yacht in the world, is known around the world as the ‘$1.5 billion yacht’, though estimated costs range between $500-700 million.

Ivica Trojanović

The Eclipse was spotted in the Cavtat area at the end of August and is often spotted sailing around Dubrovnik. 

You can check out the toys of these two famous billionaires in the photos by Ivica Trojanović.

To read more about travel in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page.