Grgic Apartments Reviews

We went to Korcula as part of a two centre tailor made package with Tapestry Holidays, and we had a fantastic fortnight.

The first 9 days were in the Grgic apartments, Zrnovska Banja,Korcula, with our last 5 nights being at the Grand Villa Hotel Argentina, Dubrovnik. £1000 each was the most we've ever paid for a holiday, and we were both a bit worried about whether it would be good value. Nevertheless, we had a free week's holiday chucked in with the deal for going in June (Cephalonia, Oct), so it didn't seem that bad. As I write we haven't had that holiday yet.

Tapestry were fabulous. The 3hours 30 minutes transfer wasn't a problem on the air-conditioned minibus. The scenic drive along the Peljesac peninsula, followed by a 20 minute crossing to the island on a private boat flew by, and felt like an excursion. When we got there, Korcula's very remoteness added to its romantic charm and peacefulness. The holiday rep.s were sincere and honest, giving sound recommendations, and not trying to sell us excursions. We were treated like individuals.

The Grgic apartments were clean and comfortable, and the views from the terraces were amongst the most stunning I have enjoyed. There was a little swimming pool, with similarly excellent views. Korcula and Croatia in general is marvellous for wildlife, birds in particular, with red-backed shrikes nesting around the apartments.

There was a supermarket 100 yards from the apartments, and two wonderful restarants within 400 yards. The restaurants did wholesome home-produced food and wine. I saw the restraunteurs at a place called ";Baric"; making their own pasta. Baric had the most marvellous waterfront location. The other restaurant, ";Castillo"; was equally good, serving a lovely, generous fish platter.

That's all there was at Zrnovska Banja. It's beautiful, unspoilt, but lacking in amenities. If that's the sort of place you like, you couldn't do better.

Zrnovska Banja is a 2 and a half mile walk from Korcula Town. This wasn't a big problem for us, and there are 5 buses a day. The problem there is that the buses to Korcula run at about 6am, 7am, 11:50, 15:50 and 19:50. Rather inconvenient. We got about with a mixture of walking, bus, taxis and rented car. Car rental is dear - £37.50 a day, minimum.

Korcula town is lovely, very atmospheric, with good reasonably priced restaurants. We liked Kanavelic, for great octopus salad and rizot crno (black rice). We also took a cab with other guests staying at Grgic, to a little town called Pupnat, to restaurant Mata. Another fantastic agriturismo place, with a warm welcome- a bottle of raki on the table- and home produced food.

There aren't that many beaches on Korcula. Not with sand on them, anyway. Except for one really nice one in Lumbarda. So I don't think Korcula would be that great for people with young children. Korcula is fantastic for active couples though. You should buy bathing footwear from Korcula Town to manage the rocky beaches and sea urchins.

In conclusion, the people were friendly, Grgic had a stunning location, and Tapestry looked after us perfectly. The only bad thing about the place was its inadequate bus service.