Where to eat in Korcula

Korcula

Korcula Island is one of the greenest islands in the Adriatic Sea and one of the most popular travel destinations in this region of Croatia. The town itself is a picturesque Dalmatian city between the sea and a striking range of mountains and has been described as a calmer Hvar. The charming old summer resort town has lots of history, well-preserved fortress walls, bustling outdoor markets, ancient churches, quaint hotels, flower-lined streets, and stunning quiet bays. Korcula was the birthplace of Marco Polo and offers many festival traditions throughout the summer.

Pensatore

This local restaurant is situated at a premium spot on Korcula’s old town promenade with breathtaking views overlooking the panorama of Pelješac channel. The terrace offers breathtaking views while enjoying delicious food using fresh, organic, local ingredients. Pensatore is known for providing top-class cooked lamb (janjetina na leso)as well as modern twists on traditional Dalmatian specialties, making them more attractive to numerous tourists who like contemporary approaches in cooking.

Atrij Zrnovo

Enjoy dinner here under the trees on a hot summer night. If you are looking for good pizza, be sure to visit Atrij Zrnovo! However, diners also say that they serve possibly the best traditional food on the island. Be sure to try the incredible house specialty, Žrnovski Makaruni with meat sauce – the food here is made with love!

Pizzeria Torkul

Located in Lumbarda, this seaside restaurant is rich in history that dates back over 100 years and offers a calm atmosphere on the terrace with a beautiful view of the sea. The pizzeria is located in a former olive oil mill, the millstone is inside the restaurant complimenting the typical Croatian style. The pizzas are prepared in a genuine wood furnace, giving them an authentic taste and making Torkul and must stop.

Radiona

Bistro Radiona is located on the beautiful waterfront promenade overlooking the harbour. Celebrating the finest Croatian ingredients, from oysters and mussels from Mali Ston, Istrian truffles or black Slavonian pork, they create simple but delicious dishes. Enjoy an authentic Kor?ula atmosphere with good homemade specialties and some of the best wines from the island and surrounding areas.

Get in touch with one of us today to ensure you can involve at least one of these restaurants in the itinerary!

Posted on September 23, 2019 by Alice Newnham

The effects of Hurricane Dorian on the Bahamas

After visiting the Bahamas in January 2019, I was so impressed by the beautiful shores, incredible sailing conditions and sandy white beaches. The most striking part of the Abacos Islands are the beautiful people who call these islands home. The landscape, culture and sense of community make the Abacos Islands one of the most striking sailing destinations on this globe.

The effects of the Dorian

Devastatingly, the Abacos Islands of the Bahamas have suffered great loss and tragedy following the 185 mile an hour hurricane on the 1st of September that ripped away the lives and community of the Abacos Islands. Lives and jobs have been destroyed which risks in damaging the entire spirit and livelihood of many islands in the Abacos.

After visiting the Bahamas in January 2019, I was so impressed by the beautiful shores, incredible sailing conditions and sandy white-beaches however the most striking part of the Abacos Islands are the beautiful people who call these islands home. The landscape, culture and sense of community makes the Abacos Islands one of the most striking destinations on this globe.

Broker, Alice’s photographs of the **Abacos** and Marsh Harbour prior to destruction by the hurricane

When will it be back to normal?

Almost 90% of the infrastructure in the Abacos Islands has been destroyed in the force 5 hurricane. Not only homes, business and boats, but human life has also been lost due to the devastating hurricane Dorian.

The likelihood is that by April 2020 the Abacos infrastructure will be on its way back to normality. The best thing to do to support the people of the Abacos is to visit this destination to promote jobs and the economy to help save the Abacos Islands and the long-standing community within Bahamian paradise.

What is being done to help the situation in the Bahamas?

The USAID has reported to allocate $2.8 million in emergency supplies alongside the Red Cross. The UK Royal Navy will aim to evacuate Abacos sufferers to Nassau. If you are looking to fly to help this situation, the flight to Marsh harbor would be required.

How can you help the situation in the Abacos?

To support the Bahamas, do not stop visiting the island as the islands of the Exumas. They have not been greatly affected by hurricane damage and rely on tourism to thrive.

Pre-planning spared most of the boats in the Abacos and these boats were safely moved to the Exumas. Most of the Bahamas is safe to visit with minimalistic damage. The Abacos are the main sufferers of this natural disaster.

Posted on September 20, 2019 by Alice Newnham

What do the Bahamas look like now after Dorian?

Some up to date pictures of Nassau and Normans Cay. While not trying to detract from the awful state of the Northern islands such as the Abacos and Marsh Harbour area, we must bear in mind that the majority of the Bahamas is open for business. The more we continue to visit the country as normal, the quicker it will heal as a nation. It is a win-win!

September 6th September 2019 Normans Cay

Nassau, the capital has been completely untouched.

Airports not struggling with the diverted traffic

Posted on September 16, 2019 by Alice Newnham

Autumn, I’m falling for you.

The joys of summer, overcrowded ports, expensive prices, stressed out waiters, delayed planes? These are surely the worst parts of a summer holiday or charter in the Mediterranean. Forget the worst aspects of a yacht charter and look at a charter for the Autumn.

Autumn sailing > Summer sailing

Sailing across the Mediterranean in Turkey, Croatia or Greece can be a better experience than a yacht rental at the peak of the summer season. These countries offer very mild weather in the Autumn and the wind tends to drop off from the high winds in August.

Warm waters and low season prices

The Mediterranean climate allows for warm September waters for swimming, private bays for swimming and more available yachts available last minute. The experience is different from that of the high season summer experience with a more relaxed atmosphere on every island. It is also easier to see a local way of life and to be able to make a reservation at your favourite restaurant on the day, rather than the week before!

Alice’s best places to charter a yacht this Autumn

Croatia

Split- Dubrovnik

This one-way itinerary provides the opportunity to see the two historically fuelled cities of Split and Dubrovnik. Sailing between the two cities has scope for everyone, from partying at all night clubs in Hvar to exploring the national park at Mijet near to Dubrovnik this itinerary has something in there for everyone. It is very difficult to get a one-way charter during the peak of the high season however during the Autumn, many owners take the boats from Split to Dubrovnik and would be very happy to accommodate a one way. Your broker will organise this bespoke yacht charter for you and plan your itinerary.

Greece

The Cyclades Islands

Contrary to popular opinion, the Cyclades are not the place to go to in the summer. The prevalent Meltemi wind dominates the Cyclades and often makes it very difficult to travel between islands. Santorini, Mykonos, Milos, and Ios are without a doubt the most breathtaking islands in Greece however it is difficult to get the right winds in summer to have an enjoyable charter. with the heavy winds in June, July and August. By late September, the winds have died down, the tourists have disappeared and the striking white roofs can be enjoyed from your yacht. Catamarans are widely available and are significantly less experience.

Sardinia

Known as one of the most glamorous places in the globe, the Costa Smerelda is the new place for the A-listers and yacht charters! Boutiques, 5* hotels and some of the finest Italian restaurants are available in Sardinia. You can also hop over to southern Corsica and visit the striking port of Bonifacio. This is a perfect Autumnal destination due to the quieter ports, less crowded beaches and extremely blue waters at this time of year. Sardinia converts into more of a traditional experience during the Autumn.

Contact one of our expert brokers to plan your Autumn charter today!

Posted on September 12, 2019 by Alice Newnham

How did Hurricane Dorian start?

In 2019, Storm Dorian destroyed the Abacos and Grand Bahama before skirting up the eastern seaboard making landfall on the eastern tip of Canada. Please see our “Bahamas after Dorian” page for current status of chartering and sailing in the Bahamas.

How did Dorian form?

Dorian was formed on the 24th of August by a tropical wave. A tropical wave is a low pressure, orientated from North to South which moves eastwards. This then combined with the high air pressure which lies in the doldrums or Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), located close to the termal equator.

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Tropical waves explained

Tropical waves in the Atlantic develop from disruptions, which develop as far east as Sudan. They then drift across the continent into the Atlantic. These waves are either formed or enhanced by African Easterly Jet (The African easterly jet is a region of the lowest layer of the earth atmosphere, over West Africa where the seasonal mean wind speed is at a maximum and the wind is easterly).

The clockwise circulation of the large transoceanic high-pressure cell or anticyclone centered near the Azores islands, labeled the Azores high above image produces easterly waves away from the coastal areas of Africa towards North America.

When was Dorian at her peak intensity?

Peak intensity over the Abaco Islands on September 1.

Dorian intensified while moving toward the Abacos and close by islands, before becoming a hurricane on August 28th. The rapid intensification of Dorian meant that on August 31st, she was placed into Category 4 – a major hurricane. Less than 24 hours later, Dorian reached Category 5 intensity, peaking with winds of 185 mph and gusts of much more. A minimum central pressure of 910 millibars, the ‘normal’ atmosphere is 1013.13 mbar a huge decrease of pressure meant that she would become to be one of the most devastating hurricanes to hit the Bahamas.

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Why was Dorian moving so slowly?

This question is not to be confused with her wind and gust level. This is in relation to her track. Dorian stalled over the Bahamas for roughly 24 hours, 24 hours of heavy rain and gusts which lead to a 24ft storm surge.

Dorian in the Southern hemisphere over the Bahamas.

Data has shown that she was traveling as little as 1 mph. This is due to a rare natural phenomenon called the Bermuda high. As the name states, this is a high-pressure atmospheric system. Until the Bermuda high relinquished its ‘hold’ over Dorian, a low-pressure system moved across releasing Dorian, thus allowing her to move in a northerly direction

How can you help?

You can support the relief effort here
Send/order any of these items listed below, to this address:
Global Empowerment Mission
340 NE 59th Terrace,
Miami, FL 33137

Life Jackets/Floatation Device
Large sturdy waterproof bags
Heavy-duty garbage bags
Solar fans/lights
Large tarps
Chain saws
Generators
Fuel/oil for generators
Non-perishable food items
Dry formula and dry milk products
Cleaning supplies
Mold remediation items
Hygiene products
Feminine products
First aid items and kits
Advil, Tylenol etc for adults and children
Hand sanitizer
Medical gloves
Masks
Diapers and Wipes
Baby food and formula
Pedialite (powder packs)
Gator aide/Electrolites/hydration powder
Rehydration salts
Tents
Flashlight
Batteries (especially D)
Matches/lighters
Repellent
Solar battery and solar chargers
30 gallon or larger storage containers with lids
Plastic wrap
Duct tape / packing tape
Hand saws
Work gloves
Can openers
Sanitizer/Sanitizer wipes
Water purification devices
Disposable plates and cups
Camp stoves
Butane tanks
Utensils
Nails
Wrenches/Hammers/Tools
Candles
Pet food canned and dry
Toilet paper

At this time we are in the Search, Rescue and Recovery phase and currently NOT accepting: Clothing, furniture, bedding, toys, charcoal and wood.

To the people of the Bahamas, on behalf of Boatbookings, we look forward to seeing your recovery and booking many more life-changing and memorable charters in your stunning country. You are all in our prayers.

Posted on September 10, 2019 by Alice Newnham