Korcula, Croatia
Friday, midday
Check into the glorious Lesic Palace (doubles from £200, www.ldpalace. com), whose ultra luxurious “residences” recline within an old bishop’s palace in the heart of the chocolate box pretty island capital, Korcula Town.
1pm
Croatians often do pizza as well as the Italians across the Adriatic. Anything with the local prsut ham on it at Pizzeria Caenazzo (St Mark’s Square) is delicious. Enjoy a prime view of the town’s cathedral.
3pm
Take a walking tour of the compact old town, admiring the sweep of elegant Venetian-era buildings. Make sure to visit the highlight, St Mark’s Cathedral.
7pm
Hike up the ladder in the old city stone bastion to get to the ramparts where Massimo (Kula Zakerjan) awaits. The views are epic with the old town and the Adriatic sweeping all around. The wee pulley system the drinks come up on is a delight too.
8:30pm
Savour dinner at LD on the Lesic Palace’s waterfront terrace. Here head chef Toni Erceg works miracles with ultra fresh local ingredients, firing creativity into Dalmatian dishes, with seafood the star.
Saturday, 10am
Relax into the day with a spa treatment at the Lesic Palace’s fittingly decadent spa.
1pm
Take a trip out of town to Mate (www. konobamate.hr), a little traditional konoba style restaurant in a quiet village. Just ask for what they have on that day and settle in for a treat.
3pm
The white grk grape is only cultivated on Korcula. Enjoy a tasting at Bire (www.bire.hr), an exciting producer who have started experimenting with oak ageing.
8pm
Dine under chandeliers while you savour top-drawer seafood at classy Kanavelic (tel: 095-9170471).
Sunday, 9am
Break up your journey to the airport with an oyster and local champagne boat trip with Delmata (delmatatravel.hr), followed by lunch at the plush Saint Hills winery (saintshills. com) on the Peljesac Peninsula. ■
Easyjet (www.easyjet.com) fly to nearby Dubrovnik from Edinburgh starting at £145 return. Holiday Autos (www.holidayautos.co.uk) can arrange car hire at Dubrovnik Airport.