Šipan Island is larger than Koločep and Lopud so cars are necessary for locals, but  luckily only few of them are used.

Name Šipan comes from Latin word “gypana” which means The Island of eagles. Due to its fabulous golden olive oil, it was known as a Golden Island too.  Island has two ports in two biggest villages: Suđurađ (San Giorgio) in the east, and Šipanska Luka (Porto Gippana) in the west.  Suđurađ is the one facing Lopud and it is great option if you want to spend your day on the beach and just get lazy. You will find there great beach bars to refresh or have a coffee in a shade.

Šipanska luka, on the other hand, has great choice of excellent restaurants with delicious local specialties. Here you can be sure that fish and seafood came right from the sea to your plate. Beachfront restaurants are great places for nice romantic restaurants.

Do not get surprised when the waiter shows up without menu and give you only few options for your dinner. Actually, you can take this as advantage as then you can be sure everything is fresh and not kept in the fridge. Feel free to ask the waiter for recommendation. They always have some great tips for you what to eat, where to go and what to do! Bars and restaurants on Šipan Island have very reasonable prices considering the prices are usually much higher on islands. Locals live from tourism but also grow olives, figs, almonds, tomatoes and citrus fruits. You will find here vineyards with finest grapes so do not miss to try local homemade vine. This beautiful island is covered by palm trees more than any other place in this part of Croatian coast.

Šipan Island was inhabited in roman times so you can find many stone ruins from 11th century all over island. There are also few medieval Renaissance and Baroque churches and chapels as well as rustically palaces. Same as Koločep and Lopud, Šipan was the place to hide and relax for noble families of Dubrovnik Republic.

In Suđurađ you can see large summer palace from one of the wealthiest Dubrovnik Republic family – family Skočibuha. You will notice there two large towers. Those towers were very important in old times when the danger from pirates was part of their everyday life. Except its natural beauties, Šipan Island is most interested for those in love in history and architecture. Beautiful palaces of noble families, late-Gothic Rector’s Palace and ruins of archbishop’s palaces will tell you the story about the island.

If you decide to visit all those places and explore Šipan Island, be prepared to take a walk up the hill and make sure to bring bottle of water and wear comfortable shoes. Try to avoid long walks when the sun is strong so the best is to start early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

The view from the top of the island is really something special. Beautiful landscape, vineyards and olive trees – and then the endless beautiful blue sea. The biggest advantage of this island is its peacefulness. If traveling with your loved one and want to spend some time together without being intruded – this is the place for you. Šipan Island is perfect place for a romantic getaway.

Long walks by the sea, romantic restaurants and beautiful beaches could be the great choice to run away from everyday life.

Locals are very friendly and will be happy to tell you the stories about the island but not annoying and loud at all.   If you want to have a bit more active holiday you can also rent a kayak, bike or even take diving lessons.

Šipan Island could be at least visited among Elafiti Islands but therefore at least spoiled by tourism too. You can visit Šipan Island as a part of one day tour popular called There islands cruise or fish picnic trip. This will give you 1 hour maximum to explore which is definitely not enough to get to know this island. But if this is the only option for you definitely do not miss it!

If you plan to spend more than one week on south of Croatia definitely consider to book your holiday home on Šipan Island for at least two or three days. You will leave wishing to stay longer!

The post Šipan Island appeared first on Online Croatia.

Suffering from any kind of allergies is a huge problem in everyday life, and therefore makes booking your perfect holidays accommodation even more demanding.

Besides searching for apartment situated in great location, with beautiful view, balcony and terrace, close to everything but far away from the noise, you are forced to look for something very specific – but luckily not impossible nowadays – allergy free room.

General Tips and questions you should ask renter or tourist agent:

• If the owner is willing to clean room thoroughly with natural products only before you arrive
• If the owner is willing to take out all rugs, carpets and draperies from the room and make sure to leave space under the bed free
•  Is the room free of unnecessary furniture and accessories – less equipment means less places for allergens
• All cabinets in the room should be able to close
• Check if you can get allergen mattresses and pillows (should not be older than 2 years) or the ones that are encased in a protective allergen cover
• Ask your renter to wash all bedding in hot water (60 C minimum) to kill dust mites.
• All bedding should be made of synthetic materials and washed together with pillows

Sounds complicated but simply inevitably for you in order to avoid fighting with allergies and fully enjoy your holidays.

Additionally, Croatica is preparing special catalogue of allergen free rooms for you, so keep following us!

The post Allergy Free Room in apartments and villas in Croatia appeared first on Online Croatia.

WIN SEVEN NIGHTS on beautiful island of Čiovo…

This is what you should do:

• Like our Facebook page Agencija Croatica (and invite your friends and family to like us to!)  https://www.facebook.com/OnlineCroatia
• Post photos from your holidays in Croatia to our Facebook profile
• Wait to see how many likes your photo will get

Simple as that!

The photo with largest number of Likes wins 7 day accommodation for two persons at our cozy studio Oasis in the heart of Dalmatian coast. No additional expenses for accommodation are to be charged. Prize covers only accommodation expenses.  Winner can book his prize in period between January 1^st and June 30^th 2015, or in period between September 1^st and December 31^st 2015.

We reserve the right to remove all photographs with inappropriate content.

Here is little bit more about studio Oasis and Trogir coast:

Studio Oasis is situated in Okrug Gornji on Ciovo Island, only 3 km away from ancient Unesco protected town Trogir in middle Dalmatian coast.

Ciovo is one small beautiful island connected by drawbridge with Trogir on mainland all the time with excellent traffic connections by car, bus or boat.

Split, second largest town in Croatia is situated just 28 km far from Ciovo. Split you can also reach by car, or by boat.

Studio Oasis is situated on quiet and very lovely place away from traffic hustle, settled on the ground floor. Amazing 100 m2 large garden lays in front of the studio. Garden is covered with green grass, flowers and lavender, filled with typical Mediterranean herbs and plants scent was awarded as the prettiest garden in the area.

In a shade of grapevine, apples, oranges and lemon trees, deck chairs and hammock will wait for you to enjoy and relax. And also there is a barbecue in one part of the garden for use.

As there is no traffic this spacious area is very suitable for the children to play. So if you have small baby we can provide baby bed so all of you can enjoy in our beautiful summer Oasis.

Studio is fully equipped and it consists of:

Double bed, bathroom with shower (and there is also outside shower with hot water you can use when you are back from the beach). Large new outdoor covered kitchen equipped with everything you might need for cooking.

To enjoy your tasty summer meals of Mediterranean cuisine, on your private 10m2 large terrace you will find table, chairs and the deck chairs confronted to the Adriatic Sea.

All premises are covered with air condition and internet access free of charge (wi fi ADSL – fast internet). At your disposal is also large parking area in shade and washing machine for use free of charge.

To spend there your perfect holiday next year free of charge, you just need to enjoy the one booked with us this summer and share your memories with us… :).

The post Win FREE seven night apartment for 2 persons in the heart of Croatian adriatic coast! appeared first on Online Croatia.