Orebić

Orebić, on the southern coast of the Pelješac Peninsula, has a strip of lovely little beaches, some sandy and some shingly, bordered by groves of tamarisk and pine. Its waterfront is lined with houses and exotic gardens built by the sea captains who made the town prosperous in the 18th century. Only 2.5km across the water from Korčula Town, it makes a perfect day trip or an alternative base.

After lazing on the beach, you can take advantage of some excellent hiking up and around Mt Ilija (961m) or poke around a couple of churches and museums. Mt Ilija protects the town from harsh northern winds, allowing vegetation to flourish. The temperature is usually a few degrees warmer than Korčula; spring arrives early and summer leaves late.