Hvar is known as one of the most beautiful islands in Croatia.  So beautiful in fact, that it was almost impossible for us to find accommodation!  All of our usual sources were turning up nothing but we finally found one one room available for one night at the cheapest hotel in a small Croatian chain.  We decided to book it and then try to figure the rest out when we got there.

When we arrived at the ferry terminal in Split, we were a bit shocked to see the massive hordes of people trying to push past each other to get on the boat.  That’s when the reality set in that we were going to the most popular island in one of the most popular countries in the busiest month of the year.  After we arrived, we were greeted by about 20 buses that would take everyone from the ferry terminal on Hvar to the main town.

The town was situated around a small bay and it was absolutely beautiful.  We carried our bags around the edge of the water to our hotel which was a total dump, but we were happy to have a roof over our heads.  We went into a tourist agency to inquire about an apartment and they basically said “no way”.  Then we finally lucked out at the next agency where they hooked us up with a beautiful apartment with a sea view for the next two nights.  So we averted that crisis!

We spent the next few days lounging around the various beautiful pebbly beaches, dodging crowds, enjoying the nice views of the millionaires yachts, and eating some great seafood in atmospheric cobblestone alleyways.  We took a day trip on a boat to the amazing “Blue Cave.  It earned that name because for a few hours during the day, the sun reflects through a hole in bottom of the watery cave and turns the entire cave a shimmery blue color.  I’ve never seen anything like it and it was absolutely beautiful.  The boat also stopped at the “Green Cave” where you can swim around in the cave, and at Vis island which was like a quieter version of Hvar.