Kolocep Holiday
Kolocep is one of the 14 Elaphite Islands off the south coast of Croatia, a 20-minute ferry ride from the beautiful medieval city and popular tourist destination of Dubrovnik. One of only three inhabited islands in the chain, with around 1,000 permanent residents between them, Kolocep packs a lot of scenery into its 1.35 square kilometres. The indented coastline features soaring sea cliffs, lovely bays, some of Europe's best beaches, and the well preserved romantic Mediterranean villages of Gornje Celo and Donje Celo where small restaurants serve local dishes and wines. No cars or even motorbikes are allowed on Kolocep and the other islands, preserving their quiet and beauty and contributing to the peaceful and simple life.
The inhabitants are warm and friendly and enjoy their lives away from the rat race. Fishing, agriculture and small-scale tourism are the main industries. The island produces its own seafood, vegetables, fruit and even tropical fruit like lemons, oranges and kiwis, along with melons, pumpkins, olives, grapes (and wine). Like the rest of the Elaphite group, the main natural feature is woods of pine and high maquis interspersed with cultivated areas around scattered small villages. Close to the villages and the coast, the woods have become parks with lavender, myrrh, mandarins, lemons, olive trees, palms, cypress and laurel contributing colours and scents.
Beaches
Several polls have seen Kolocep feature as one of the best locations for unspoilt beaches in Europe. The indented coastline features numerous sand, pebble and rocky beaches, many of them hidden away so you can have your own private beach. At the villages there are a variety of watersports available with equipment for hire, including the traditional local ball game called picigin, which is like volleyball played in knee-deep water with an egg-size ball! As with many other parts of Croatia, Kolocep also has its own naturist beach a few hundred metres from Donje Celo.
Shopping
While there is little shopping to be done on Kolocep itself save for fresh local produce and seafood, hop onto the ferry for the short trip to Dubrovnik and it's shoppers' paradise. Shops and cafés line Stradun, the old town's main street and promenade, and the town's ancient streets are home to hundreds of shops of all types.
Nightlife
Outside of the modern hotel complex, the delight of nightlife on Kolocep is spending relaxing evenings in different small, cosy restaurants. Some are a part of evening social life along the village promenades; others are in a quieter atmosphere inland. For those looking for more excitement all that is needed is a quick ferry journey to Dubrovnik, which has a big selection of cafés and bars all around the old city. The Troubadour Jazz Café features live jazz on most evenings and is a favourite with both locals and visitors.
Local Specialities
The numerous little restaurants and cafés feature typical Mediterranean specialities with plenty of olive oil, herbs, cheeses and wines. Fresh fish and seafood caught just a few hours before by the local fishermen come at the top of most menus, but there are also a number of Greek-influenced local specialities like grilled baby lamb. If more choice is needed, nearby Dubrovnik is known in Croatia as "the city of restaurants".