Orebic Holidays

The must-visit town on Croatia’s lush Peljesac Riviera, Orebic is a place that’s wedded to the sea. In the 16^th century, it was the getaway for rich sea captains from nearby Dubrovnik, who built their palatial stone mansions along the seafront. These days, it’s a sedate holiday destination with quiet beaches and striking countryside, backdropped by St Elias Mountain.

The main beach is Trstenica, a 15-minute walk from Orebic harbour. It’s a kilometre-long sand-and-pebble expanse that melts in to the jewel-hued sea. Behind it, there’s a sprinkling of cafés and restaurants, plus a first-class watersports’ portfolio. For somewhere even more secluded, pick out one of the rocky coves dotted along the coast. Viganj is a short boat ride away, too. There are pebble beaches here, while stronger winds have made the village a windsurfers’ hangout in recent years.

On Orebic’s tree-lined promenade, there’s a clutch of rustic seafood restaurants facing the Adriatic Sea, with the island of Korcula outlined in the distance. Away from the waterfront, through flower-lined streets, you’ll arrive at the Maritime Museum, which has centuries’ worth of travel documents and nautical instruments. And on a hill overlooking the town is Our Lady of the Angels, a 15^th-century monastery whose mission it was to protect sailors from the sea.

The surrounding Peljesac peninsula is Croatia’s answer to Napa Valley. Follow the road from Orebic towards Ston and you’ll pass the country’s top vineyards. At some, you’ll be able to sample Dingac, Postup and Chardonnay wines, all aged in big wooden caskets. Grgic Winery in Trstenik, a 30-minute drive away, is especially worth a visit for its prized Plavac Mali grapes.