Love being Tourist.. Trip tips on the island Hvar- Exploring

LAVENDER EXPLAINED

The island of Hvar is known for its lavender . About a 100 years ago a disease had torn up the vineyards and destroyed the production of vine upon which the islanders where depend and to survive. Many islanders emigrated to the New World, whilst those who stayed began to plant lavender flower and produce lavender oil selling it to french perfume houses and so on. The lavender flower thus afforded the inhabitants to survive and there has become a simbole of life to the islanders. One of the best gifts to take from the island must be the lavender oil which is pure and can be used in the bath, on skin, as a hair maske together with olive oil, in the oil burner and for many medicinal purposes, and the brilliant thing is it costs so little in comparison to its price abroad. Also its scent is rather different from the the English lavander, the sun making it much more potent and strong as opposed to granny.

HIKING BIKING Hvar is a very long island covet with hills of which many have been planted with lavender flower. Most family's own lavender fields. It is fascinating to take the bus or bikes or even hike trough the lavender fields.

The panorama from the Hvar hills is phenomenal and looks upon all the surrounding islands for miles. Another fascinating sight are millions and millions of hand placed wall heaps which form mazes on the hills and look as if they have been constructed by aliens or Aztecs or other such mysterious beings other than simple farmers who in fact piled tones and tones of stones in a very geometric pattern across all of the islands hills.

GHOST TOWNS In Hvar hills there are many mostly abandoned towns which are perfect and full of beautiful stone houses, abut entirely empty alike the town VELO GRABLJE. The towns are property of families who have moved out to Hvar Town ,and are used only to cook up moon-shine or to visit during certain festivals and religious days. Often they posses some sort of vine canteen where one may replenish some strength. But the towns are fascinating to explore. And VELO GRABLJE for example along it has a wonderful biking-hiking down hill route, which cuts trough nature and than towards the sea to the sea town MILNA where on can choose a creek to enjoy to themselves.

DRIVE TROUGH TOSCANY The north part of the island above the towns JELSA and STARI GRAD are very green and lush and covered with vineyards. The whole region looks like Tuscany and is very beautiful.. I certainly recommend renting a scooter of convertible car and driving trough than having lunch in the fresher mountaines or villages above the vine farming town of SVIRČE..

THE CREEKS In evey island port there are people renting out small boats which can be hired with a tiny motor without a licence... Or a speed boat or a sailing boat can be hired together with a skipper. The island is rich with wonderful creeks and bays, clean seas, and sometimes bays full of deers incredibly. Taking a boat is the best way to explore beautiful bays, going for a swim, and very often in the middle of no where you will arrive at some cute hap hap-hazard restaurant at sea to replenish energies.