An island of relaxation or adrenaline?
With its endless sunshine, gorgeous beaches and pristine Adriatic, it is little wonder that many tourists head to the beach for much of their holiday. Add to that the great nightlife and wonderful food in the historic coastal towns, and it would seem that Hvar caters to all tourism needs.
But it has so much more to offer.
As a sporting paradise, Hvar's offer is enviable, and even if you have only half a day to spare away from the beach, there are plenty of options.
Being an island of course, the call of the sea is never far away, and some of the Adriatic's finest sailing is to be found off Hvar in and around the Pakleni Islands. Another great option is kayaking, a unique chance to discover some of the hidden coves of the island up close. Windsurfing? Kitesurfing? It is all possible on Hvar.
Inland Hvar does not get the attention it deserves, perhaps not surprising given the attractions of the coast, but cycling enthusiats, which have included the American cycling team, are discovering the island in greater numbers, while the rewards of hikers on Hvar are plain to see - lavender fields, olive groves, UNESCO sites and stunning views at every turn. And as for the rock climbing... surely some of the most picturesque on the planet.
Fancy a little competitive action? Hvar hosts two marathons in August. The Hvar Half Marathon from Stari Grad to Jelsa takes place along the old road from Stari Grad to Hvar, complete with punishing early climb, but rewarded with astonishing views, while the Faros Swimming Marathon, now in its 38th year, is one of the toughest swimming marathons in the world, attracting last year an Olympic Gold Medallist on the 16km open water course.
Hvar, an island of relaxation or adrenaline. Or a mixture of the two!
*Author - Paul Bradbury
*I Photo Credit - Skydiving Croatia
*II to X Photo Credit - Romulić & Stojčić multimedia studio
*XI to XII Photo Credit - Maya Con Dios
*XIII to XVIII Photo Credit - Hvar Adventure
