Hvar and Korcula Islands: Brilliant Jewels of the Adriatic
My first stop along Croatia’s coastline was a ferry ride to Korcula, only 20 miles long but 6th largest of the collection known as the Dalmatian Isles. It’s old town is charming with streets designed in a fishbone shape and walled since the 13th century. Built for protection from the sea winds in the winter and cooled by onshore winds in summer.
Reputed to be the birthplace of famed explorer Marco Polo, it has less a tourist and more small town generations of families kind of feel.
Singing troubadours in the cafe, 15th century St. Mark’s Cathedral in the town’s center with figures of Adam and Eve on either side, it’s a delight. Inside the Cathedral below the main altar is a restored Tintoretto, with another piece – The Annunciation – in the southern nave of the Cathedral.
On the evening I visited there was a performance of the “Sword Dance, shown as a battle between a White King and Black King who has kidnapped the bride of the White King. The two do “battle”, accompanied to music, until the Black King surrenders.
After leaving Korcula, I drove along the fingerlike peninsula of Peljesac, then north along the coast to Drvenik for a ferry ride to the Island of Hvar. Likely the most beautiful Island I have ever seen.
The island’s busiest destination, Hvar Town is the island’s hub, easily its most glamourous, overlooking a small bay where 13th-century walls surround beautifully ornamented Gothic palaces and traffic-free marble streets.
Think “Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous” but filled with the charm created over centuries of contributions by resident Greeks, Romans, Venetians, Austrians, the English for a period, Yugoslavia, finally becoming, in 1991, part of an independent Croatia.
There’s a gorgeous slip of a beach, Monasteries Benedictine and Franciscan, a not too challenging climb to a 12th century Venetian built Fortica, looming above the town and glowing at night. The medieval castle occupies the site of an ancient Illyrian settlement dating from before 500 BC.
The views looking down over Hvar and the Pakleni Islands are magnificent.
I stayed in the amazing Riva Marina Hvar Hotel, breakfasting with views of the bay with a cocktail view of the days’ selection of jaw-dropping yachts followed by open air dinner at the tip of the island and fish so fresh they’d been swimming in the crystal waters only hours earlier.
A highlight was a shared view and afternoon beverage with an adorable honeymooning couple following their wedding in a Spanish castle two days prior.
The unexpected and delightful treasures of traveling! We shared “insta” info and I have so enjoyed their amazing wedding pics posted to the bride’s account. Thanks again Annie and Romek! I wish you a long and joyful life together!
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Dress up night!
My recent Peruvian adventure included a deep, delicious dive into the country`s authentic cuisine with seafood as a highlight.
High in the Andes Mountains of Peru live direct descendents of the ancient Inca people, invaded by Spanish Conquistadors in the 1500`s. This indigenous group of people are called the Q`ueros.
#abroadtravelingabroad #incahistory #incatrail #peru #sacredvalley #seniortravel #shaman #soloseniortravel #solotravel #womentravelingsolo
Although the trail to the remarkable Inca engineering and cultural achievement called Machu Picchu is Peru`s most famous destination, Cañon del Colca, or Colca Canyon is a grand and extraordinary experience...one not to miss!
#abroadtravelingabroad #colcavalley #condors #peru #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #soloseniortravel #solotravel
We did it! #Machupicchu #incatrail #wiracocha #abroadtravelingabroad #hirambingham #sevenwonders
Sacred Valley of the Incas #ollyantaytambo #peru #wiraquocha #abroadtravelingabroad
Near Saqsayhuaman Inca site #shaman #shamanism #perushaman #healingrituals #abroadtravelingabroad
Island life #uros #urosfloatingislands #laketiticacaperu #Peru #abroadtravelingabroad
Colca Valley #condors #chivay #andes #andeancondor #abroadtravelingabroad #peru #inca #incatrail #colcacanyon
A day in Arequipa, La Ciudad Blanca #santacatalinamonastery #laiglesiadelacompañíadejesús #elmisti #ceviche #peru
Croatia`s Secret Genius: Sculptor, Artist, Designer...Meet my friend Ivan Midzic
#abroadtravelingabroad #croatia #ivanmidzic #jewelry #midzojewellry #midzoart #rovinj #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #shopping #soloseniortravel #solotravel #steuphemia #statementjewelry #womentravelingsolo
Before landing in Tokyo I was perfectly content with a plastic tray of grocery store wannabe sushi.
Not any more.
#abroadtraveingabroad #bestsushiever #keioplazahotel #kuybeyrestaurant #nigiri #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #soloseniortravel #solotravel #sushi #tokyo #travelsafetyabroad #womentravelingsolo
Thousands of vermilion Torii gates blazing in the August sun which straddle a network of trails behind its main shrines. The trails lead into the wooded forest of the sacred Mount Inari.
#abroadtravelingabroad #FushimiInariTaisha #kyoto #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #shinto #soloseniortravel #solotravel #toriigates #womentravelingsolo
A morning walk along the Miyagawa River finds farmers and craftspeople selling sansai (mountain vegetables), wasakana (river fish) along with selections of local pottery and vintage kimonos repurposed as ornate handbags and a subtle rainbow of silk jackets.
#abroadtravelingabroad #japan #japanesefestival #onsen #sake #seniortravel #seniorwomentravel #soloseniortravel #solotravel #takayama #womentravelingsolo
7th Annual Hawthorne Family Cooking Class #chefalyssas #thaifood #familytime
An afternoon at Tokyo`s Tsujiki Outer Market introduced me to the art of Japanese shopping. This is Japan’s “Food Town,” featuring every imaginable traditional Japanese food.
https://abroadtravelingabroad.com/japans-ultimate-shopping-experience-at-tsukiji-and-nishiki-markets/
Maiko Performance #Kyoto #maiko #geishamakeup #japan #abroadtravelingabroad
Kyoto #🈲 #abroadtravelingabroad #goldenpavilion #kimono
Bullet train to Kyoto station late afternoon. Massive complex with floors packed with luxury designer shops, restaurants and 10 floors of the Isetan department store! Kyoto Tower replicates a lighthouse design. Looking forward to its topmost view tomorrow. @abroadtravelingabroad
Hello Kyoto #kyoto #kyotostation #everythingyouneed #abroadtravelingabroad #japaneseculture #japanesefood #japanesefashion
Gail | 29th Jun 24
Thanks so much for sharing your travels! 🌼