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After a blissful day sailing from Hvar, with the maestral carrying us through the Pelješac Channel, we arrived on Korčula. Here, Korčula Town sits compactly on a tiny walled peninsular, a treasure trove of medieval history. And now we will share some of the Korcula Getaway Insights.
Approaching the island of Korčula, we recalled that Marco Polo, the intrepid 13th-century explorer, was born here. Seen from the sea, silhouetted against the skyline, Korčula Town, with its sturdy medieval fortifications and terracotta rooftops, has changed little since Polo’s time. He would no doubt recognize his home town immediately, though the magnificent cathedral, with its Romanesque portal and elegant bell-tower, would be new to him. We moored up in the excellent ACI marina Korčula immediately next to the old town.
Korcula |Traditional dance
We had booked tickets to attend an after-dark performance of the Moreška a spectacular sword dance unique to Korčula. Celebrating local freedom fighters, it recounts the story of a beautiful maiden who is rescued by a gallant knight.
Afterward, dinner at the Michelin-starred LD Terrace was a treat – scallops with black truffles, followed by sea bass, served at tables on the tree-lined promenade in the old town. Connoisseurs will love this island, which stands out for its culinary venues, ranging from rural agrotourism eateries to haute-cuisine restaurants, such as the LD Terrace. Wine drinkers will also enjoy exploring Korčula’s excellent white wines, Grk and Pošip, made from indigenous grape varieties.
Korcula | Wine Tasting
The next morning, we hired bikes and cycled to Lumbarda to taste Grk wine at Bire. Dalmatia’s first vineyards were planted here by the Ancient Greeks, back in the 3rd century BC. In tribute to them, the local grape variety is called Grk – literally “Greek” in Croatian. The Greeks called the island Korkyra Melaina (Black Corfu) as it reminded them of Corfu on the Ionian.
On return to town, we visited the Marko Polo House, where the adventurer was supposedly born. Nearby, at Vapor, a small art gallery exhibiting works by local artists, we purchased a boldly-colored landscape by Stipe Nobilo from Lumbarda. Kindly, they had it packed and sent directly to our home address, so we wouldn’t have to travel with it.
East of town, rise the scattered islets of the Korčula archipelago. We spent the afternoon exploring these waters by sea kayak with Korčula Outdoor. Pine-scented Badija is home to a 15th-century monastery and wild deer. Nearby, Vrnik conceals the quarries which supplied the beautiful golden limestone used to construct Korčula’s finest monuments. Our guide was full of amusing anecdotes about local history, and he made sure we also had time for swimming and snorkeling.
Korcula Getaway Insight | Restaurant
For dinner, we took a taxi inland to Konoba Maha. Moreover, it’s a family-run agrotourism, that uses local organic produce to create a fine dining experience in a rustic farmhouse. We feasted on octopus and potatoes slow-cooked under a peka (an iron lid, buried beneath glowing embers). And washed down the food with light crisp Pošip white wine from the vineyards of Korčula’s fertile interior.
Returning to town before midnight, we rounded off with drinks at Massimo Cocktail Bar. It’s located on the rooftop of a 15th-century tower. A truly memorable experience, not least because you have to clamber up a steep ladder to get there.
After this tasty offering of Korcula Getaway Insights we sailed for Peljesac and its Getaway Insights.
