Croatia’s Magnificent National Park Island

Mljet is a completely unspoiled natural beauty

Croatia has more than 1,000 islands.  One of the most alluring of them is Mljet (mil-yet).  While the country has eight national parks, Mljet is the most untouched of all of them.  The island was declared a national park in 1960 and while this put Mljet on the tourist map, it still remains the pristine, verdant landscape it was sixty years ago.  Now for the good news, Wine-Knows will be visiting Mljet on its private yacht this September.

        While services are limited in the park, a lovely lunch with breathtaking panoramas is possible

Part of the reason Mljet remains a little piece of paradise is its lack of tourist services.  There is only one hotel, a handful of restaurants, and a few shops.   The population is about 1,000 most of whom are native Croatians.  Ferry service, however, is available to the island and those who come are nature lovers who want to soak up the splendor of its large national park. 

Mljet’s park is covered nearly solidly with brilliant colored pine tree forests.  Within these woods there is also lush and rich vegetation.  All of this is why Mljet is called “the green island.”  A multitude of birds populate the dense forestation so Mljet is a bird-watcher’s nirvana.   Adding to all of this national park splendor are two beautiful lakes.  These lakes are actually deep sea bays caused by rising sea levels.

                  Pretty little St Mary's island features an ancient monastery & lovely walking paths

In the middle of larger lake is a small attractive island called St Mary’s, home to an old Benedictine monastery.  Erected in the 12^th century, the monastery exerted a powerful influence for hundreds of years among all of the monasteries along the Adriatic Sea.  Once Croatia came under control of Napoleon in the 19^th century, however, the prestige of the monastery lessened and, ultimately, it fell into disrepair.   Today, a part of the medieval building that once housed monks is a now a restaurant.   There are scenic walking paths to entice travelers with drop-dead gorgeous views of the lake.

Visitors can also enjoy well-marked paths around each of the lakes.  Bicyclists can take it up a notch with moderate terrain bike rails that traverse the park’s forests.  Kayaking is another option at Mljet.   The two lakes are joined by a narrow connecting water passage, making it possible to kayak around both lakes.  Like bicycles, kayaks can be rented.

Mljet's National Park is a paradise for nature lovers

If you’re coming on the private yacht in September you’ll have the opportunity to spend time exploring Mljet.   Week two is sold out, but the first week in September we have one room available on the yacht.  For more information on this private yachting experience, please contact us:   www.WineKnowsTravel.com

                      Wine-Knows' private charter yacht can welcome aboard 1 or 2 more travelers