Whenever you go to 6 completely different Croatian islands in 8 days, it’s laborious to not fall in love with all of them. However throughout my Cut up to Dubrovnik Crusing Journey with Intrepid Journey, there was one island that basically stole my coronary heart: Vis.
There’s a appeal about Vis that’s palpable from the minute you arrive. The native vibe is proud but welcoming, stunning but humble, charming but unpretentious. The comfortable eating places may have you hanging out for hours sipping on locally-produced wine from the island and having fun with the corporate of pleasant locals.
It was solely the second cease on our 8-day itinerary in Croatia, however I discovered myself pondering again on my time in Vis all through all the remainder of the journey (though Korcula got here an in depth second!).
Vis city
A surprising piece of land a couple of 4-hour sail from Cut up, Vis encapsulated the whole lot I had pictured about Croatia previous to touring there – gorgeous surroundings, distinctive historical past, lovable cities – in a single easy-to-explore port.
Fascinating native historical past
I’m, admittedly, a historical past nerd, however no matter your affinity for yesteryear, there are a number of attention-grabbing issues to find in regards to the historical past of Vis. Simply steps from the central Vis city are Roman ruins courting again to the 4th century BC. Named Issa, the island grew to become an unbiased polis within the Roman Empire and even based colonies equivalent to Cut up. After the autumn of the Roman Empire, the island got here beneath the management the Venetian Empire when most of its most important settlements got here to exist of their fashionable type, which is why you’ll vestiges of Italian cooking all through the island’s delicacies.
You’ll additionally discover magnificence in abundance
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Essentially the most fascinating a part of Vis’ historical past nonetheless falls throughout World Warfare II when Josip Tito, the chief of the Yugoslavian resistance, hid out on the island to flee the Axis powers. Vis was probably the most closely bombed Croatian islands through the warfare, which is stunning as a result of it was solely sparsely inhabited, and at the moment the shores are a treasure trove of wrecks which could be explored by scuba diving. Vis additionally served as a British military base through the warfare to assist defend Tito, who stayed in a distant cave for a number of months, which you’ll go to as a historic web site at the moment.
I realized about all of this throughout a 3-hour wine and historical past tour of Vis, led by a captivating and educated native historian. His ardour for his house island confirmed by means of his tour which made it all of the extra enjoyable! Our captain Ante helped us arrange the tour for bonding as a gaggle. (Learn extra native ideas from our skipper, Ante, right here!)
Our wonderful historical past tour
Charming small cities and lovable villages
The primary metropolis on Vis is Vis City, which is the probably spot to port if you happen to’re on certainly one of Intrepid’s Crusing Journey itineraries however don’t restrict your self to simply exploring Vis city; there are a number of different lovable hamlets and villages across the island that can simply seize your coronary heart.
VISIT CROATIA ON ONE OF INTREPID TRAVEL’S SMALL GROUP TRIPS
A few 20-minute stroll east alongside the waterfront of Vis City will carry to the outdated city which is stuffed with stunning galleries and scrumptious eating places. For dinner one night time, our captain was form sufficient to make a reservation for our entire group to eat collectively at Stara Teza, an lovable restaurant with a stunning little backyard patio.
Cute eating spots in Vis
One other must-visit city on Vis is Komiza, which is greatest seen at golden hour or sundown. This charming fishing village is so darn picturesque you’ll wander down each alley snapping pictures and saying “OMG this road is cuter than the final!” The sandstone structure and bell tower are cute sufficient, however the city is nestled on the sting of the water with classic boats within the harbor beneath the backdrop of the forested mountain. It’s actually stunning!
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Stunning pure surroundings
Vis is the farthest of the islands in Dalmatian chain with one of many highest altitudes at 580 meters, which provides you gorgeous views of all the area, particularly on a transparent day. The title Vis originates from the Croatian phrase Visena which suggests peak, and from one of many highest factors on the island, you possibly can even see to Italy on a cloudless day!
The gorgeous surroundings of Vis
Along with mountain surroundings, Vis additionally has numerous stunning seashores all through the island the place you possibly can simply soar into the crystal blue water. There may be one strolling distance from Vis city which is utilized by locals and guests alike or you will discover a rocky seashore proper smack dab in the course of Komiza city which presents a stunning sundown!
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Lastly, Vis is the best leaping off level for exploring one other pure surprise close by – the Blue Cave! You’ll see day journey operators across the island providing excursions of the cave (it may well solely be visited with a licensed operator) and you may even discover excursions provided as distant as Cut up. The Blue Cave is on a small island simply off the coast of Vis, forming a surprising ocean cave with an underwater show of iridescent blue water.
The Blue Cave
You possibly can count on crowds through the summer season, however it’s a nice add-on to any day journey itinerary from Vis. Our captain helped us coordinate a go to as a gaggle in order that we may all go collectively and skip the strains for a gaggle worth!
Prepared to go to Vis?
My record is simply the start of issues to take pleasure in on a go to to Vis and it’s positively an island the place you possibly can go gradual to find your personal hidden gems to fall in love with!
Intrepid Journey itineraries sometimes embrace one full day on the island which is sufficient to see all of the highlights however you would simply calm down right here for a number of days to get the total impact.
Seeking to discover an island paradise like this for your self? Try all of Intrepid Journey’s Croatia adventures.
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(All photographs courtesy of Megan Arzbaecher, and all taken on Intrepid’s Croatia Crusing Journey.)