Rainy Days on Korcula, Croatia

Posted by on July 17, 2015 in Accommodations, Advice + Tips, Croatia, Islands, Korcula, Landscaapes, Local Color, Wineries | 10 comments

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One of the advantages of long-term travel is that less than perfect weather doesn’t throw you into a frenzy of frustration – you have several days to hang around (6 in my case on the island of Korcula) so good weather is likely to find you at some point. You can relax and enjoy the moment, raindrops and all, and the bottle-green sea-glass color of the ocean makes a lovely contrast with the gray of the sky. If all of your photos were sunny it would get boring!

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So what’s there to do on Korcula in the rain? (Pronounced “Korchula,” the letter “c” in Croatian is usually pronounced ch). Lots of things, it turns out. For one, just go out walking. You won’t melt, especially in cool May temps, and it gives you a chance to wear those bulky jeans, fleece, and rain jacket you’ve been lugging around in your backpack. You can walk up and down steps, through narrow alleyways, and open doors into secret gardens. Or go climb a tower for a glass of wine while watching the clouds roll in.

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There are scenic streets, old churches, and bits of history everywhere. It is said that Marco Polo was born here, and there’s a museum to visit in which to dodge the raindrops.

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You can also seek shelter in some of the many shops and galleries. Jewelry made from red coral is a specialty here, and although I didn’t buy any, window shopping is still fun. And you can hang out with new people you meet who are also hiding from the rain.

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There are plenty of overhangs to duck under, or if you’re ambitious, you can climb the bell tower for panoramic views of sea and red tiled rooftops.

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If climbing all of those steps piques your appetite, there are plenty of places to eat with a view, and umbrellas, trees, and awnings to keep you dry. You might want to try something hot and hearty, like an eggplant dish with tomato sauce and goat cheese, baked in the oven and sprinkled with parmesan and basil. Yum! Things are very affordable, and this seems to be one of those countries where the wine is cheaper than water.

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Don’t forget to check out the little details – even wet pavement can bring you a bit of sun and a smile, not to mention raindrops on petals, and a window can double as a still-life.

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Or hang out with the local critters who are also dodging the rain.

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And then, suddenly, the real sun makes an appearance, and you are dazzled! It’s hard to keep your camera (or phone) from your face…

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And you just know that tomorrow will bring a blue sky…

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In fact, everyone seems to have laundry hanging out to dry…

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Wander around the old town, and enjoy the change of scene. The island looks completely different under clear skies.

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You might even consider a swim…

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Or take a day trip out to the village of Lumbarda to go wine tasting some Grk (yes, it’s spelled correctly – they seem to be missing a vowel or two). This is the only place in the world that  produces this lovely, dry, aromatic white wine, with grapes grown in sandy soil, and Bire is known to be the best.

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While in Lumbarda, take time to visit the lovely beaches. You can get there via car, scooter, bicycle, or in my case, public bus.

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Public transport, you may ask? Yes, it’s cheap, easy, and you may even make some new friends!

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On Korcula, you’ll find art, and artists at work, architecture and all kinds of sea-faring vessels…

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…and plenty of places to call your office, some that come with coffee and cherry pastries!

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Come evening, you might hear the ethereal strains of an impromptu choir singing  a cappella in the old town square, and the sunsets won’t let you down – they’re spectacular rainbows of color that make Korcula a fairytale island you won’t want to leave, rain or shine.

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Note – Korcula is one of the sleepier islands due in part to the fact that the big cruise ships don’t dock here. I visited in May, which means the weather is a little iffy, but it’s before the main tourist season, which means less crowds and lower prices.

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10 Comments

  1. Once again, a stunning post!

    • Thanks Beth, can’t wait to see you in Rome!!

  2. Beautiful photos. It looks like it was a great time of year to be there.

    • It was, Michael, I highly recommend May in Croatia!

  3. You should be in the travel industry the way you wax lyrical – especially given the stunning photos that accompany your words
    Keep the posts coming…

    • Thanks Dave! I sort of feel like I’m already in the travel industry, I just haven’t figured out how to get paid for it yet, lol

  4. Even under grey sky Korcula looks picturesque and when the sun comes out the island is transformed.

    • It’s a beautiful island, Grahame. If you haven’t seen it yet, add it to your list!

  5. Hi Lynn,

    Bruna and Rich here! We met you at a sobe in Korchula and your name came up just now when we were going through our memories of the trip. We remembered your blog and thought we would check it out. We are so glad to see that you are still going strong and following your dreams!

    You are an inspiration for us and we hope to be able to do what you are doing some day. Thank you for being part of our memories and for sharing your story and travels with the world!

    We wish you the best and safe travels, of course 🙂

    Love,

    Bruna and Rich

    • Hi Bruna and Rich,
      So nice to hear from you! Thank you for taking the time to write 🙂 It’s so great to connect again with the wonderful people I meet while traveling. I hope you do get to do what I’m doing, I can’t recommend it enough. Feel free to contact me for travel info in the future on any of the places I’ve been. Best wishes for now, and safe travels to you as well, for the next time you take off on a journey!!
      Love,
      Lynn

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