http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19406 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19406 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19398
Three minutes' walk from a lovely beach, Villa Kamenica is about five minutes' walk to the centre of Komiza and a stone's throw from a couple of great restaurants. Tomo and Zeljka will give you the warmest welcome and offer fantastic advice for eating out, exploring the island, walks, beaches to visit, Croatian culture and history. Everything in Komiza is accessible from here.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19398 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19245
Efficient buses and trains follow the coast to Split and Dubrovnik, while ferries are fun. Airport easily reached.

A highly recommended holiday destination with good sunshine, crystal clear seas, friendly and hospitable people and nearly everyone speaks English.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19245 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19016 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/19016 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18968 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18968 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18949 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18949 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18841 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18841 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18437
Hosts were really helpful. They gave me some very useful advice and info.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18437 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18206
Zaton has several fine restaurants. It offers possibilities for watersports. An interesting walk uphill to the village of Podbrezje is highly recommended (4.5 km), to visit Mociljska Cave with stalactites and stalagmites.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18206 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17467 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17467 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17397 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17397 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17332
The hotel itself is like something from an old James Bond film with its lift to the private beach below built into the rock face.

The cocktails served in Vapor's bar are something quite special. The terrace is split in two with Vapor on one side and the other side being home to one of the best restaurants in Dubrovnik. The terrace has a wonderful view out over the Adriatic where you can sip your cocktail while watching a whole variety of craft from tall Pirates of The Caribbean ships to little island-hopping taxis moving in and out of Dubrovnik harbour framed by a glorious sunset.

The Adriatic's most friendly barman made us the perfect Vodka Martinis and told us tales of having to fight in the Balkan war and then finding work on a cruise ship where he learned the art of perfect mixing. My boyfriend and I spent a magical evening sipping amazing cocktails and watching the moonlight dance over the Adriatic. Bliss!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17332 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17318
What I loved most about the islands (especially the first time) is the serenity and lack of built up resort style beachfronts that can be found everywhere else in the world. No matter how spectacular a place is, if its panorama is filled with man-made constructions and obstructions that I could also find on the Gold Coast, Ibiza, Cancun etc., then it has lost the unique splendour and appeal that I love about Hvar, Mljet or The Elaphite Islands.

With the Croatian islands still being relatively untouched like this, my travel tip is to see this place yourself. Don’t pay a tour guide or company to show you around! You don’t need to! With fresh fruit markets and ample accommodation in the townships (no matter how small) you save yourself a fortune, compared to paying for your stock standard tour group, which hardly compares to exploring these islands using your own aptitude. The islands are small enough to see on your own and the transport between islands is common, cheap and only a short distance!

You can get a ferry in the morning and be at the next place well before lunch. Hire a moped or bicycle and see more of the islands then any tour could show you. On many occasions I found myself on a beach that was not only magical but I was the only person there. Travel this seaside paradise with no time limits, stay on the islands you love and move on from the locations that you don’t. Explore these islands, use only a small amount of effort and less money than you would spend on the weekend in London - and you can find so much more than you bargained for!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17318 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17293
We went there principally however to watch the World Cup amongst another passionate footballing people and the local Croatians did not disappoint. What made the holiday memorable however was the wonderful warmth and hospitality extended to us everywhere we went, not least when watching games in the tiny local bar on a beat-up TV in an alien language, and where £16 stood a round for most of the village on a packed Saturday night.

Were I not already committed to a holiday in Turkey next June I'd be looking to return to Vizinada or somewhere nearby to watch Euro 2008. I know I could expect great value and genuine friendliness along with the excitement of following a team with a real chance of victory. Since it was Croatia who sent England packing last month it might also soften the blow more than a little were Croatia to pull it off.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17293 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17219 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17219 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16869
Trip report, photos: shallowmusings.typepad.com/travel_musings/]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16869 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16868
I recommend it for 1) Its walking trails. You could walk for days and never take the same trail twice, and 2) Its beauty. The blues and greens of the trees, sky, and water are more vibrant than you'll find elsewhere.

Trip report and photos: shallowmusings.typepad.com/travel_musings/]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16868 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16860 shallowmusings.typepad.com/travel_musings/]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16860 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16764
The best way to explore it is by boat and there are several firms which offer such trips. Starting at an extraordinary site reminiscent of a water-crossing in a Clint Eastwood western (it is actually used for filming westerns!), I traveled through a dramatic gorge which opened out on to a sparkling blue lake in the midst of which was a solitary island containing a Fransican monastery. Apparently, all the aspiring monks have to survive here for 12 months before being accepted for further training.

After a 45 minute break and a visit to the monastery museum, our day cruise continued down to the breathtaking waterfalls of Skradinski Buk, where we spent two glorious hours wandering over specially built wooden walkways above the countless streams rushing down to merge in a lake some 40 metres below. An unforgettable day.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16764 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16353
Extremely friendly and mainly young staff who really want to help. Very clean and a much better breakfast buffet than at many tourist hotels. Attractive terrace bar and some on-site entertainment in July and August, but you're only 5 mins walk from the town centre.

Tiny pool (but only 2 mins from a good beach with clear, calm shallow water), a sauna and laundry service. Rooms a little bit small but well furnished and pleasantly decorated, all have balconies. Rooms on north side have good views of terrace, sea and mountains but don't get any sun - perhaps a blessing in the hottest weather.

Air-conditioning unit in rooms and a good, responsive, decent size shower.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16353