Korculanski Kanal (Korcula Channel) viewed from Vrh Hrastove (hill located between Zrnovo and Pupnat villages on Korcula Island) – Views of Glavat & Lastovnjaci islands, part of Lastovsko otocje aka Lastovo Archipelago (Lastovo Nature Park)

This carnival event takes stage in Lastovo every winter on the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday (this year Ash Wednesday falls on March 9) and is very popular event among visitors and locals – so if you are in the area around that time, try to include Lastovo into your itinerary.

The author of the poster is Boris Ljubicic, art director Studio International from Zagreb whose reputation is built on Croatian motives, local language and culture that is promoted in his work.

Photographs are taken by Ivo Pervan.

Click on above image to see large version of the poster + find out more about Lastovo Carnival Poklad.

I just received these two beautiful photos of thunderstorm over Vinacac near Brna taken on the night of 25 of August 2006, during a very strong thunderstorm.

The photos are taken by Max Cremonini from Carpi in Italy, who is regular visitor to our island.

The first photo shows storm at Vinacac near Brna with view toward Lastovo (click to see large photo) ,
while the second photo shows storm at Vinacac near Brna with view toward islets of Prizba (click to see large photo)

Thank you Max for sharing these photos

More weather photos of Korcula Island

The ferry schedule is similar to last year, with just a slight changes regarding Sunday’s sailing, so people who are flying to Dubrovnik Airport will still be in trouble trying to find solution to reach Korcula at the same day. Bad news.

I wrote about that last year in post Disappointing ferry timetable for catamaran ferry Dubrovnik-Mljet-Korcula-Lastovo , but nothing changed since

However, the prices remain the same as last year (55 Kuna for Dubrovnik – Korcula one way ticket) which is a bit of good news   (I guess..)

However, the timetable is pretty poor and in my opinion it did not improve bad connection between Korcula and Dubrovnik at all.

According to the new timetable, catamaran ferry will sail from Dubrovnik to Korcula in period 01.07 -31.08.07 (which is pretty short period)

It will sail 4 days a week: Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, leaving Dubrovnik in the morning at 8 am or 9.15 am , arriving in Korcula at 10.45 or 11.50 am. It will sail back from Korcula to Dubrovnik on same days departing at 4pm arriving in Dubrovnik at 8.30 pm.

I am pretty disappointed with this timetable and find it almost useless for us in Korcula for following reasons:

First of all, I was expecting it will essentially?improve connection between Dubrovnik Airport and Korcula. However, I was wrong – it’s pretty useless for reaching Korcula upon arriving at Dubrovnik Airport, as ferry leaves Dubrovnik early morning, and almost all flights arrive in the afternoon.

Secondly, it is not suitable if you are flying back home from Dubrovnik Airport, as ferry arrives in Dubrovnik in the evening when all flights already left.

It is also unsuitable for day trips from Korcula to Mljet?or Dubrovnik?as it forces you to overnight there.

The only improvement that this ferry line now offers is for residents and visitors of Dubrovnik or Mljet who want to visit Korcula (or indeed Lastovo) on day trip – it enables them to do so pretty cheaply, as fares are subsidised by Government.

So, despite the fact that this ferry line was allegedly introduced to improve connections with islands Korcula and Lastovo with Dubrovnik and Croatian Mainland, it didn’t change that weak travel connection.

It still forces you to use old good bus in early mornings as we did for last 50 odd years. Minister Kalmeta, please change it!

The new ferry timetable of ferry catamaran Nona Ana is scheduling departures from Sobra (Mljet) to Dubrovnik at 6am and sail back from Dubrovnik to Sobra at 9 am.

After that, next sailing from Dubrovnik to Mljet will be at 19.10, while ferry line from Dubrovnik to Sobra (Mljet) that used to sail every day at 3pm has been discontinued.

Another source of discontent is the fact that ferry Prapratno – Sobra will sail 5 times a day only until 02.09.07. In the winter months, ferry sailing will be reduced to 2 times a day only (morning and evening).

Ferry Nona Ana is the same ferry that will continue its sailing from Dubrovnik and Mljet towards Korcula and Lastovo.

Unofficially, I learned that sailings from Dubrovnik via Mljet to Korcula are planned for Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, ferry will continue its journey to Lastovo.

No any official confirmation of timetable yet – perhaps, one of the reasons is this petition

Although the ferry “Nona Ana” is already choosen in principle, in the initial step of legal process, the contract and the rest of the legal process is not yet completed.

Therefore, we have to wait little bit longer to get timetable info for this new ferry line which will eventually offer us much better connection between Dubrovnik, Mljet , Korcula and Lastovo at the south coast of Croatia.

I am receiving daily emails from people who would like to know more about ferry timetable to plan their travel from Dubrovnik to Korcula accordingly. The best bet, for time beeing, is to leave it until last moment, and if worst comes to worst , there is always daily bus from Dubrovnik to Korcula (as well as daily bus from Dubrovnik to Orebic) one can rely upon. Stay tuned for further news…

Related posts:
Catamaran Ferry Dubrovnik – Korcula – Lastovo – update 1: According to Ministry of Tourism and Transport of Republic of Croatia, for time beeing, there are following info available for new catamaran ferry link Dubrovnik – Korcula – Lastovo … read more

Ferry Catamaran Dubrovnik-Mljet-Korcula-Lastovo: Some good news about travel to Korcula for next summer – it seems new ferry catamaran line is going to be introduced! The new ferry line will connect Dubrovnik with Island of Mljet, Korcula and Lastovo… read more

1/ The service is expected to start on 01.06.07

2/ In July and August catamaran will sail from Dubrovnik to Korcula and Lastovo (Zaklopaticaor Ubli bay – not sure yet)

3/ Ferry will sail from Dubrovnik to Lastovo (and vice versa) on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

4/ Ferry will sail from Dubrovnik to Korcula (and vice versa) on Tuesdays and Thursdays and two (2) more days (total 4 days weekly). Which days still to be confirmed.

5/ Detailed timetable will be known once it’s clear which company will run the service.

Stay tuned for additional info…

Link:
Ferry catamaran sailing Dubrovnik – Mljet – Korcula – Lastovo

The new Nature Park is called Lastovsko Otocje (meaning Lastovo Archipelago)

It covers an area of almost 200 km2 of which the mainland area accounts for 53 km2 and the marine area for 143 km2.
The Nature Park contains all 44 islands, small islands, cliffs and reefs belonging to the Lastovo municipality, with the biggest being Lastovo and Su�ac.

This area is one of the most preserved marine areas in the Adriatic. Due to its values and characteristics it represents a vast natural and partly cultivated area of land and the sea showing ecological features of international and national importance, as well as pronounced landscape, educational, cultural, historical, tourist and recreational values.

The protection provided is intended to preserve the inherited landscape and cultural values and biological and landscape diversity including the appertaining sea and the submarine area.

Within six months upon the coming into effect of this Act the Government of the Republic of Croatia will by a regulation establish a public institution for the management of the Lastovo Archipelago Nature Park.

Proposal was presented by representatives of the Ministry of Culture, the State Institute for Nature Protection and local municipality.

According to the proposal, area of the Nature Park Lastovo will encompass islands and islets of the Lastovo archipelago and Island of Susac including the zone of about 500 meters around the islands and islets. The total area of the proposed Nature Park will be 195.83 km2.

At the presentation, participants had an opportunity to ask questions and hear explanations related to further work of the Nature Park Lastovo. Most of the questions were related to the future developments of activities such as fisheries, agriculture, tourism and the purchase of land properties.

Although local community is aware of the necessity for the protection of the Lastovo Archipelago, some of them are concerned because the management plan of the Nature Park are not yet defined. The biggest advantage is recognized in further tourism development and restriction of fishing activities.

Furthermore, the borders of the Nature Park was discussed too with the emphasis of the value of the Lastovo archipelago in national context together with the importance for the conservation of this area.

It is expected that within next few months, Croatian government should establish management body of the Nature Park Lastovo, with it’s headoffice at the Island itself. The funds of 170 000 Euros are already secured.

We all hope this programe will continue smoothly, as this would assure conservation and protection of nature at this beautiful island.

About Sunce Association: Association SUNCE was founded in 1998 in Split, Croatia. Today it is the biggest environmental association in the Dalmatia region. Main beneficiaries of Sunce activities are citizens of Split and of the Dalmatian coast and islands. Through partnerships with other organizations and institutions, Sunce is also active on national and international level.

To read more about Lastovo – clik here