Korcula, Croatia - Birthplace of Marco Polo

​We start the day with a James Bond type exit from Hvar Island with a private speedboat ride to Korcula Island!



We get dropped off at Vela Luka and we had to ride to the other end of the island to Korcula City. It was an interesting ride with a lot of variety.  Seems like we started in a more arid environment and then crossed into a more lush ecosystem.  And who knew there were so many dangers to beware of.  Wild boar and killer bunnies.  



Nice roads with beautiful vistas.   


Very neat and cared for vineyards. 


A mountain or two to cross with some plunges and verdant valleys. 




We even found a hidden cove where we took a quick swim at one point. 


Jim even found his future fixer upper. 


Are these the biggest fennel plants in the world?


We finally make our way into Korcula which is the birthplace of Marco Polo (alleged- some dispute on this).  The city streets are in a herringbone pattern.  

This is the view out our hotel window. 


The further south we go we see the continued influence from the Venetian empire but more of a sense of other cultures like Turkish and Ottoman. It all continues to amaze.  




That night we catch a sensational sunset. 




The next day we take another ride on the island.  Most of it was on a very narrow road with no cars through the countryside before plunging to the sea once again. 



Jim made an improvement on his ride. 


And the plunge.   




We met up with Al and Diane at sea level, had some refreshment and visited another remote beach. 




Jim found a new friend. 


Then the ride back to Korcula and to prepare for the return to the mainland with a ferry ride to Dubrovnik.  


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