Croatia | holiday | living - All about Croatia

Friday we went to visit the observatory on the Mosor Mountain south of Split, the Observatory, or the star village as it is called, is fairly unknown even among the locals, I actually never heard about it, but “discovered” it my selves from a visit to the top of the hill above Gornje Podstrana.

The staff at the observatory was very friendly and helpful with information, as we arrived before it got dark; we had a guided tour in the building before we went to the roof and looked at Jupiter, Venus and the moon through the big telescope, especially the look at the moon was very interesting, as the detail level which you get through the telescope is quite impressive.

Information about the Star village:

• To find the observatory you have to take the road from Split direction Omis (South), just a few km south of Split you turn left and go direction Žrnovnica, from Žrnovnica you have to go direction Gornje Sitno, as there is no signs you might have to ask, follow the road for about 6-8 km, until you see the sign saying Zvjezdano selo Mosor (which is the place you are heading for), about 2.5 km before you reach your final destination you will make a right turn on the main road, and follow a gravel road which will take you to the star village 700 meter above see level.

• Observatory is open to public Friday and Saturday evening – you don’t have to announce your arrival

• Group and School classes can sleep at the observatory, where they have 20 beds. And give course in Astronomy

• The Observatory is mainly financed by the 10 kuna entrance fees and the fees from school classes staying overnight, so if you can afford it, I am sure they would appreciate a few kuna extra.

• Official webpage Zvjezdan Selo

As I mentioned in our travel story from Vis, one day of our Holiday was spend on a visit to the Island of Biševo, which is a small island situated 4 nautical miles SW of Komiža.

Our visit to Vis was not only for pleasure, my friend Shane, from Lifejacketadventures, had convinced me to help him bringing his kayaks, from Biševo back to Komiža, where he normally stores them when he is not on a trip – so I actually had to work!!

So Tuesday morning at 7.30 we met in Komiža with Shane, his family, and a Swedish girl - Johanna, who also was going to help with the kayaks. From here we took a fishing boat (taxi boat – 25 kuna) which was loaded with goods, tourist, the skipper and his bodies. The sailing time to the first drop of point at the east site of Biševo was around 40 minutes, as we had to go to a bay on the west site of the island we got an extra 20 minutes sailing trip.

Well arrived at the Island, we went to visit some friend of Shane’s, Lile and Davor who has a small house 50 meters from the beach, Lily and Davor are some very interesting people, they are actually from Zagreb, but spend 6 month’s a every year on the Island, where they among other rent out small cottages and have a environmental project running called “Mali Zeleni I Biševo” (the little green at Biševo) you can read about their project here http://www.bisevo.org

The morning we spend with swimming in the nice bay, where Lili and Davor last year removed around 20 tons of garbage!! At noon we went to next bay Porat to have lunch, as you can see on the picture here, we also had a nice place to swim.

As 3 PM it was time for the hard job, Shane, Johanna and I prepared our selves for the kayak trip back to Komiža, I must say I was bit nervous to back in a kayak again, as the last time was (and also first time) was at Vogalonga 2008, but as we first started paddling I forgot about that.

The first stop on our Kayak trip was Modra Špilja(The blue cave) as you can see the cave does not look like much from the outside, and when you get in there in a 6 meter long kayak without a flashlight it is a bit scary, but very beautiful.

After the blue cava we started our crossing direction Komiža, the weather was very nice so we had no problem with the waves. At about7 PM we reached Komiža I was very tired, but glad that I took the trip, as it is not everyday you get the chance to sit in kayak 20 NM from the mainland.

A few thinks about Biševo

• The Main attraction – Modra Špilja (The blue cave) – can be visit by organized trips (Price 100-140 Kuna) or you can take fisher boat as we did.
• Biševo has some very nice Sand beaches – the fisher boat from Komiža would e.g. take you to Porat in the morning and return in the afternoon around 4 PM.
• Only 7 people live the whole year on Biševo.
• Rainwater is the main water supply on the Island
• The wine from the Island should be great.

The last week in August, we made a last minute decision, to take one week of holiday and go to the Island of Vis, my colleague Vivian’s parents in law had been so kind to lent us there house in the middle of Vis town, so Friday afternoon we left Spilt with the ferry, for our first visit to the Island.

A little bit about the Islands:

Vis the fishermen’s Island is one of the few place on the Adriatic coast where the slogan; of the Croatia tourist board “Mediterranean as it once was” fully comply.

Since WWII, where the island was liberated by Tito’s partisans army and until 1995, the Island was home to a large Army base, as you can see on the photos below, parts of the large scale tunnel system from that time, is still relative intact.

After the reopening of the island, for visitors, the island has year for year been attracting more and more guests, but kept on a level which are not destroying the amazing nature on the island.

The Island has a long Maritime tradition, and fishing was until recently the main industry on the Island, both in the main town Vis and in Komiža on the south west side of the island you still can find several small fisherman’s boats, although meanwhile the sailing boats and yachts who arrive in the afternoon for and overnight stay on the Island, by far has outnumbers them.

Well now back to our trip: well arrived at our accommodation; after 2^1/2 hour on the ferry, we went for a walk at the promenade and had a look at the menu cards on the restaurant along the promenade, eventually we decided to eat at Dionis, which turned out to be good choice.

The next following days we spend enjoying some of the marvelous beaches, and took a round trip on the island which, where we among other visited the Pick of the island Hum, which is still restricted military area.

On Tuesday we went to the island of Biševo, which you can read about here: Kayak from Biševo.

Wednesday we had planned to take a whole day trip with a boat from Komiža, price 220 kn p.p. (kids half price). The boat would first take us to Modra Špilja(The blue cave) on Biševo and then around Vis island, with stops in several bays and a visit to the Zelena Špilja (The green cave) on island Ravnik, the afternoon would be spend with swimming at Stončica beach before returning to Komiža. Unfortunately we all woke up sick from a virus Wednesday morning; so we had to cancel the trip and spend the day recovering.

On Thursday we took a walk a long the Promenade all the way from the ferry harbor to the eastern part of Vis town which is a 25 minutes walk along the water, on the way we visited the Archeological museum Issa, which is situated in the Baterija build by the Austrian / Hungarian empire. The Afternoon we spend at the beach in Milna which together with Stončica beach and Porat Beach on Biševo, was the third excellent beach we tried in a week.

Pictures Beaches in Croatia

Friday morning I had very special experience, our house neighbor; a 70 year old man, took me for an exclusive guided tour in the military tunnels north of Vis town, which was extremely interesting. At noon we left the island with the ferry, and headed back to Split after a really relaxing holiday.

What to see/do on Vis

• Archeological museum in Vis town 
• Tito’s military tunnels and the English fortress
• The peak of the island by Hum which offer magnificent panorama view on Komiža
• Take a round trip on the island, visit wineries and some of the numerous bays, here you for sure can find places where which are not to crowded.
• Rent a bike, in Vis there is at least 5 agencies offering all kind of bikes for adults and kids, the round trip of the Island Is only 28 km, so even though there is some very steep climbs, it is doable.
• Remember to bring fins, diving goggles and snorkel, I guarantee you will like what you see when you put your head under the water.
• And much more ………….

Eating out:

Vis as being the fishermen’s island is one of the top places for fish dishes in Croatia. Both in Vis and especially in Komiža there are some excellent fish restaurant, on the middle of the island, there is several restaurant offering Peka (traditional Croatian dish), with free selection of meet (Octopus, fish, lam, veal), as Peka takes 60-70 minutes to prepare you should order it before arrival. A very nice think is that some of this restaurant offers to pick you up and bring you back after the meal.

Other useful information for a Viš trip:

• Car ferry to island 3 times daily during main season, visit jadrolinijas home page to see schedule also check schedule for Catamaran ferry to Vis.
• If you can avoid bringing car do that, parking in limited and you can rent a car 100 meter from the ferry arrival for around 300 kuna a day.
• Bus to Komiža leaves Vis city just next to where the ferry arrives (In schedule with ferry arrivals).
• Everything is a bit more expensive on Vis maybe 10-20% higher compared to Split, so don’t plan to buy your new clothes collection here, when you any way will end in Split on the way back.
• Try the local wines (Mainly Plavac); they are really good and much cheaper then what you find in the supermarket.
• Vis is for relaxing not for partying so don’t expect to much going on during the night (During July /August nightlife is on beach in Komiža)

Hope this gives you appetime to visit the Island of Vis once in the future

Here you can see all our nice pictures from the Island Vis

Last Saturday I went rafting on the River Cetina with at couple of friends from Denmark, although I tried it several times here, I am always existed about it.

In and around the city Omiš there is quite a few companies arranging rafting, canyoning and wild water canoe on the river Cetina, this Saturday we had booked attour with our new cooperation partner, so I of course was existed to see if the where better in organising, then the other companies I tried till now.

TIP: The meeting point for rafting can easily be found, after crossing the bride in Omiš (arriving from Split) turn left and follow road 5 km direction Radmanova Mlinice (Radman Mills), 800 meter after passing Radmanova you find the meeting point Isletište Luka on your right hand side.

At 14:00 everybody was assemble at the meeting point, in our case 37 people from Latvia and a few people from other nations, from the meeting point we where transferred by bus to the starting point 9.5 km up river, here we got the our equipment, lifejacket, helmet and paddle and of course the obligatory safety instructions.

At 15:10 everybody was in the boats and we started our trip, the rafting tour on Cetina is divided in to 3 parts, where the first and the third part are the relative quite parts, and the second is part with the most wild water, at the beginning our of guide gave us a thoroughly instruction in how to manoeuvre the raft in different situations.

After we learn to manoeuvre the raft and follow the commands given by our guide, we started the real rafting as you can see on the pictures here.

INFO: At the middle of the trip there is a passage with a waterfall, which for safety reasons required that you leave the boat and follow path for 200 meter, to a pick point below the waterfall. Our new cooperation partner, although offers and alternative for those who likes a bit more excitement, they have permission to take guest to a small cave which leads to the pick up point.

My friends and I of course took the “extreme” route through the cave, to enter the cave we although had to cross a small lake with only 10 degrees warm water, S… it was cold, but we all manage to get to the other side and through the cave.

When everybody was back in the rafts we continued further down river, here we had entertainment from a Latvian lady who manage not to do like the guides specifically told us to, with the result, that she of course fall in the water, we also so raft from other organisor flipping over, luckily in both case nobody was injured.

At 17:30 we stopped to swim and jump from a big rock, after finish swimming we continued to the end point Isletište Luka where we arrived at 18:30

My friends who had there first rafting tour on this Saturday was totally excited about it, they even ask me if I wanted to go again Sunday, personally I think we had a great trip, not only because of the rafting but also because beautiful nature you get to see, our new cooperation partner was by far the most professional I tried until now, so I think we have picked the right one (-:

Here is some general information’s about rafting:

• Rafting on Cetina is possible from April to October
• Water temperature in the river seldom gets higher then 18 degrees Celsius
• Person from 8 years to 60+ can participate in the rafting
• Rafting on Cetina is category 2, which is average for the difficulty. (Calm water is 0).
• Remember extra clothes as you will get wet
• Wallet, mobile, camera etc, can be given to the guide who will store it in dry box on the raft.

Price and booking

• Price for rafting through organiser with all licences, new equipment and well educated instructors / guides is 32 Euro. Pick up in Split can be arranged but is charged extra.
• The following is included in the price, insurance, transfer to meeting point, fresh fruit, snack and water.
• You can book rafting with our cooperation partner by sending a mail to info@soltium.hr specifying, date of rafting, time and number of participants.

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Europeans new destination of Big Game Fishing is Jezera. The village is located about 90 km north - west of Split on peninsula Murter. Between May and November we go for Red Tuna, up to 400 kg, Swordfish, Thresher Shark, Amberjack, Albacore and Palamidas. The first fishing area is Kornati which takes about 30 minutes to reach.

After this island group we have open sea till Italy. On two day turns we are going fishing near an island which is 45 miles away and uninhabited. Out there we have 200 meters depth. At day light we fish  Tuna and night we fish Swordfish and Sharks. The weight of Swordfish comes up to 90 kg, Thresher Sharks come up to 150 kg and Blue Sharks are over 100 kg.

Boats are 28 - 35 feet long with high speed about 20 knots. The boats equipment is complete with radar, fish finder, deep - sensors and GPS. Also we have a fighting chair:Outriggers and  Downriggers, rods and two-speed rods from 30 - 130 lbs. The most time we practice drift - fishing on Tuna and Sharks.

PRICES:

Full charter (ca. 8 hours; boats for 2-6 fishermen) - price 550 - 650 EUR

Night-fishing and two-day turns - Ask for the price send mail to info@solitum.hr

Self - drives with a regular license could rent a 20 feet long boat with a 230 PS Volvo machine. Ask for the Price send mail to info@solitum.hr

Jezera have a lot of nice bays with crystal clear water and so it’s perfect for the family too.

In Omis several companies organise rafting on the cetina river, accourding to my experience there is big difference on quilty of trips offered, after sending guest on rafts with different organisers last couple of years, we have finally found The organizer who do a serius, save and good job, so now we only have positive feedback.

Our trips, as well as those of other organisors, start 20 minutes drive up the river and ends at the site Luka.

The program normally looks like this, the first 10 minutes after arriving at starting point is used for intruduction of guides and crew and to try our equipment for the rafting. At the start river is still so guest can learn basic things of behavior on river raft, which is good for safety reasons. Next part of river is full of fast current, waterfalls, barriers and rich vegetation which makes “live” tunnels gives you have a feeling that you are kilometres away from civilisation.

In the amazing vegetation tour go through cave which stretches behind waterfall Studenci. After Studenci there is a break for simple lunch, before the last part to site luka can be enjoyed on the the still waters.

FOR THIS EXCOURSION ITS NECESSARY TO BRING short pants, t-shirt, sport shoes,

And also it’s necessary to have dry clothes for change after trip.

All other equipment ensure organizer (helmets, waistcoats, paddle, waterproof suit, water socks, water proof anorak).

EXCURSION DURATION 4 ½ (preparation, safety speech, raft, changing of clothes after the trip)

RAFTING ON RIVER CETINA class I-II (cca 9.5 km to Site Luka)-250 kn per person + transport e.g. from Split

INCLUDED IN PRICE Transfer to Site Luka or Zadvarje to the start position, rent a boat and equipment, guides, fruit meal and energy wafer, 0,5 l drinking water, insurance, river tax and value added tax (PDV).

ANNOTATION excursion is possible to organized hole year contact us with trust.