Korcula is an island just north of Dubrovnik. A great stop off if you are getting the boat up to Split. Worth going out of your way to see also.
 
Korcula is said to be the birth place of Marco Polo when Venice controlled the waters in this part of the Adriatic. Another reminder of that period of Venitian rule are the marvellous stone carvings visible on so many of the buildings in the town of Korcula.
 
The town is a maze of winding streets. The streets are set out in such a fashion as they are protected from the harsh winds that blow down the adriatic.
 
As lovely as the town of Korcula is, it's certainly worth seeing more of the island. Even if you have no car you can do the steep walk up to the village of Zrnovo. There are a couple of lovely restaurants up here as well as stunning views of the surrounding islands.
 
My biggest recommendation for here and most of the Balkans is to take advantage of the accommodation offered by locals in their own homes. Generally you will be met by people as you get off a boat or bus. Be sure to double check the price and location of the accommodation before getting in their car.
 
In all my travels the standard of these rooms has been at the very least good, often exceptional. You get to know the families and through this dialogue gain some understanding of this troubled area.
 
It's also important to remember how essential the revenue generated during the short summer season is to these families. It can equal their entire earnings for the rest of the year. So please put your money directly into local hands rather than multi-national hotel firms.