Day 5: Buggy Safari and Beach
The kids were excited about the day ahead and rushed through breakfast so we’d be on time to meet our group. While our big activity was less physically strenuous, it was no less adventurous.
Does a buggy safari sound like fun? Well, we had a great time. Each buggy held four passengers. An adult had to be behind the wheel as some of the drive was on public roads, other parts on private roads through vineyards. We rode together in a group, making a few scenic stops, and then eventually parking alongside the ocean.
There were changing rooms available at Vela Przina Beach. Most everyone got into their swimsuits. After all, the water looked so inviting.
This is one of the rare sandy beaches in Croatia and for that reason it’s popular with families. But it wasn’t just the beach that was the draw. Several feet out in the water was an inflatable water playground. The kids wasted no time swimming out to the play area, and many of the adults followed right behind them. They all spent a few hours jumping, sliding, and swimming only coming back to shore when it was time to leave.
The Austin Adventures team reserved a group of tables at the beachside cafe. They set out a selection of snacks and opened up a tab at the bar for drinks. Those of us not in the water, gathered around the tables and soaked up the sun. Daniel launched his drone which gave me a birds eye view of the kids at play in the water.
Eventually we had to leave, so everyone reluctantly dried off and cleaned up for the buggy ride back. We switched up seats for the return ride. I finally got to sit in the front! The sun and wind dried our hair by the time we were back at Korcula Adventures for lunch.
For lunch, we shared platters of smoked ham and cheese, pickled fish, cucumber tomato salad, pate, and fruit for dessert.
Marko gave us a choice for how to spend our afternoon. Our options were to go on a group bike ride – or enjoy free time. No one in our family was eager to ride bikes again, so we choose to do our own thing. We cleaned up at the hotel and headed back into Korcula. We wanted to do more sightseeing and shopping on our last night in town.
Dinner was scheduled for 6 p.m. at Filippi, a Michelin recommended restaurant for the past five consecutive years. Since we were already out and about, we met the rest of our group at the restaurant.
My foodie daughter was excited to be dining at a restaurant with a Michelin sign hanging out front. We had the 3-course meal which included an appetizer, main, and a dessert. Our group was divided amongst two large tables, seated outside the restaurant. Filippi is located along the water with a view of the Peljasec channel, a great spot for sunset watching and for people watching.
Our meal wrapped up close to 9, which was fortunate, because we had an evening engagement. Marko purchased tickets for our group to attend a traditional sword show.
Unfortunately, we arrived a few days prior to Korcula island’s annual “Half New Year’s Eve” celebration. This is a big deal on the island.
Fortunately, our timing was just right for the Moreska Sword Dance. Sword dancing is a unique Korcula tradition dating back hundreds of years. The performance included traditional singing, followed by dancing. The story centers around a kidnapped princess. Two kings fight for her in the form of a quick-footed dance, with swords. The Moreska is performed during summer months. English programs are available. Be sure to get one so that you can follow along with the story.
After the show, we walked back to the hotel. It had been a fun evening, but we needed to pack our bags as we were checking out the next day. Our luggage was due outside our doors by 8:30 a.m.
Still, we didn’t let that deter us from making one last gelato stop. Ice cream is a big deal in Korcula. Marco Polo is credited with bringing the recipe to Europe from China over a thousand years ago. (He’s also said to have brought noodles from Asia.)
Day 6 would be departure day. But before we said our goodbyes, we had to get to Dubrovnik. Click 6 to keep reading. You’ve made it this far so why not see how it ended!
