Insider tips

Bring one of the good lavender and rosemary oils home for your friends. There is a small distillery in almost every village, and each one boasts of having the best, most authentic and healthiest recipe. The truth is: no matter where you buy - a bad purchase is impossible. Gourmets will appreciate the fine taste of the fresh ingredients, and all the others who stayed at home will at least get a sensory impression of your holiday through the aroma!

Should you travel to Hvar in winter, whatever you do, avoid eating your plate clean. For the consistently good weather makes the landlords of the guesthouses and hotels generous: on days with snowfall or temperatures below freezing, lodging is free in most establishments. And it is not only the financial factor that speaks in favour of wishing for the rare bad weather - after all, you will then be one of the few people ever to have experienced it…

On your exploratory drives around the island you should take the time to enjoy the fine view from the peaks of the Pelegrin range. Naturally, one does this with particular pleasure over a tasty lunch or a fresh cup of coffee - the Levanda restaurant on the road between Grablje and Stari Grad offers both. The restaurant was built on one of Hvar's finest viewpoints; on most days you can see as far as Brač from here.

Zlaban Plenković, winegrower and konoba landlord, is one of the characters of the island of Hvar. In his cosy inn in Sveti Nedjelja he is glad to pour the highly prized drops of his own production, serves a hearty meal with them and is happy to have a chat, not only with regulars. Since besides the catering he also has to look after the wine, it is advisable to make a quick phone call before a visit to find out whether and when the konoba is open, or whether there is only off-sales: ++385 (0)98 261 474

Anyone who wants not only to see, smell and feel the nature on Hvar but also to understand it can book a herb walk from Jelsa. Knowledgeable guides accompany you through the wilderness, show you which plant has which healing effect, what to beware of, what fragrant oils consist of and what could be an alternative to chewing gum and sweets. Depending on the length of the tour, you stop off at farms along the way for a hearty meal or can even book overnight stays on a farm. The tours take place in the language of your choice and are to be booked through the tourist information office.