Welcome to Jelsa
The small harbour town of Jelsa is a tidy little place surrounded by thick pine forests and tall poplars. While it lacks the Renaissance buildings of Hvar Town, its intimate streets, squares and parks are pleasant, and there are some good swimming spots nearby. Basing yourself here isn't recommended, but it's a nice spot for a short visit.
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Jelsa activities
Hvar Wine Tasting Tour
Once you are picked up from Hvar, travel to Jelsa or Vrboska where you'll visit one of the most famous Croatian winemakers. Situated in Jelsa, a small coastal town which has a very proud and long wine-making tradition. The Tomić family and ten other people from the island of Hvar work in the winery. They cultivate indigenous grapes, but experiment with new ones as also. They are constantly enhancing the production of red, white and rose varieties with modern technologies, but pay particular attention to Prošek, the original Dalmatian wine made from selected and dried grapes of the highest quality local varieties. In the wine cellar you will have the opportunity to taste 4 to 5 different wines together with a specific wine guide, who will describe the individual wines and provide all information needed with islands finest local appetizers.Residing in Vrboska, the Carić family have been involved with vineyards for as long as they remember, however it was not before Vino Hvar was established that they started producing their own wines, “Carič wines.” Their work in the vineyards is just as important to them as their work in the winery. They have 5-hectares of vineyards in a specially designated wine growing area known as “Vinogorje Hvar.” They also purchase a minimal amount of grapes from contract growers to compliment their crop. They also grow indigenous varieties, such as Plavac Mali, Bogdanjuša, Kuč, Maraština, Darnekuša and Pošip. Their wines have an individual story from the vineyard to the winery. You will have the opportunity to taste 4 - 5 different wines together with a specific wine guide, who will describe the individual wines and provide all information needed with islands finest local appetizers.Hvar wine tasting tour includes one of the above mentioned wineries.
Hvar Wine Tour and Dalmatian Dinner
Get picked up at 11am from either your Hvar hotel, Hvar Bus station, or Stari Grad Ferry Port, and travel by private vehicle to the other side of the island, home to Hvar's most important wine region. Here you will have the opportunity to visit two of Croatia's most famous winemakers, operated by local families. The wineries you visit will be two of the three below, depending on availability. At each site, you have the opportunity to taste four or five different wines, accompanied by the island's finest local appetizers. In the Sveta Nedjelja village, by the waterside, the Plenković family formed their horticulturist company in early 1986. The winery is responsible for Croatia's only Grand Cru, and another unforgettable feature is the unique underwater wine cellar overlooking the bottom of the sea. In Jelsa, a small coastal town with a long wine-making tradition, the Tomić family cultivate indigenous grapes as well as experimenting with new ones. Pay particular attention to Prošek, the original Dalmatian wine made from selected grapes of the highest local quality. Last but not least, the Carić family in Vrboska have been involved with vineyards for as long as they remember. However, it was not before Vino Hvar was established that they started producing their own “Carič wines”. The family have 5-hectares of vineyards in a specially designated wine growing area known as “Vinogorje Hvar.” After visiting the wineries you will surely have worked up an appetite, so the tour ends with a traditional 3-course Dalmatian dinner in Malo Grablje or in Konoba in an Olive grove. At the restaurant (Konoba) you can choose from delights such as local cheese, smoked ham, and marinated fish, and peka – a traditional meal of lamb and veal, grilled underneath a domed lid.
Hvar Gastro and Wine Private Day Trip from Split
You can freely change the itinerary as you like it, just contact us beforehand. ITINERARYYour driver will pick you up at 8 am, at any location that suits you and then drive you to Split harbor. You will board the ferry for Hvar at 8.30 am. Hvar is an island of many beauties, both in natural and urban life.You will arrive in Stari Grad at about 10:30 am. Afterwards, you will take a drive towards Hvar town, where you will start a walking tour. Hvar is full of beautiful places, even among all that splendor, Hvar town manages to thrill its guests and starts forth as a real jewel in the crown of the island.After the walking tour of Hvar town, depart for Milna (another small town), to Lambik restaurant.Once you arrive in the restaurant you will be treated to a rare honor - to see first hand how premier chefs make 'gregada', a wonderful seafood dish you will later eat for lunch! Gregada emerged as a handy lunch for hard working fishermen, who didn't have time for a proper three course meal, so they merged soup and main course into one... Simply enjoy!After lunch, drive towards Jelsa town, to undertake our wine odyssey.Geographic location of Croatian and its climate is very suitable for growing grapes, and the diversity of soil and temperature allow the production of various types of wine. While the whole country has a solid and at time propulsive production, Dalmatia especially is rich indigenous grape varieties.Here in Jelsa, you will undertake the tour of two premier wineries: Tomić and Duboković, where you can try some of the notch Croatian wines.Tomić winery is infinitely enchanting place. it's owner, Andro Tomic produces very specific Dalmatian wines, thus continuing the hundred fifty years old wine-making family tradition. His plavci wines are unlike any other, softer and more subtle, with a special character.Duboković winery is another winery with a long tradition. Its owner, Ivo Duboković was literary born over the wine basement. He has his own vineyard, and his flagship wine, called '2718 hours of sunshine in a bottle', comes with the position on the north side of the island.Afterwards, you will drive back to Stari Grad and board the ferry that will take you back to Split.If you wish to change the itinerary in any way, to add or subtract, please inform us earlier. We are more than happy to tailor the final tour according to your wishes. There are many charming places on Hvar one can visit, and our guide will be happy to advise you to make this trip an unique experience you will hardy forget!
Wine tasting Hvar
Once you are picked up at your hotel we will start our drive through the old road in the middle of the island. We will pass through old villages Brusje and Velo Grablje and through many lavender fields. Stop, breathe, enjoy. Go home to your vacation and decide to live a lavender life and put stress in distress. After this stress-free sightseeing we come towards the Ager (Hora) – protected field, one of Greek culture masterpieces which remained almost intact during a period of 2400 years. After this beautiful sightseeing we will drive further towards Jelsa where specially chosen wineries are waiting for you. Duboković winery - back to the roots. We are taking you to pure tradition, wine, cheese, bread – let’s be honest – pure heaven or to say Hvar heaven. Besides all this in Duboković winery you will be able to enjoy in his own produced olive oils with aroma. Try basil or sage flavored olive oil and decide to move to Hvar permanently. If this is not possible, you can buy vines or olive oils to take with you as a memory to enjoy in coldish autumn nights.Tomić winery, very modern winery, very famous not only in Hvar, but in Croatia. You will try the famous Tomić Plavac and probably never want to leave. First you will be taken for a sightseeing tour around the winery and then you will start with wine tasting. In order to provide you with a really holistic experience you will have 4 wine courses specially paired with accompanying food: prosciutto, cheese, chocolate and other lovely gastronomic surprises.Wine tasting tour includes one of the above mentioned wineries.
Private Hvar Wine Tasting Tour
Once you are picked up at your hotel we will start our drive through the old road in the middle of the island. We will pass through old villages Brusje and Velo Grablje and through many lavender fields. Stop, breathe, enjoy. Go home to your vacation and decide to live a lavender life and put stress in distress. After this stress-free sightseeing we come towards the Ager (Hora) – protected field, one of Greek culture masterpieces which remained almost intact during a period of 2400 years. After this beautiful sightseeing we will drive further towards Jelsa where specially chosen wineries are waiting for you. Duboković winery - back to the roots. We are taking you to pure tradition, wine, cheese, bread – let’s be honest – pure heaven or to say Hvar heaven. Besides all this in Duboković winery you will be able to enjoy in his own produced olive oils with aroma. Try basil or sage flavored olive oil and decide to move to Hvar permanently. If this is not possible, you can buy vines or olive oils to take with you as a memory to enjoy in coldish autumn nights.Tomić winery, very modern winery, very famous not only in Hvar, but in Croatia. You will try the famous Tomić Plavac and probably never want to leave. First you will be taken for a sightseeing tour around the winery and then you will start with wine tasting. In order to provide you with a really holistic experience you will have 4 wine courses specially paired with accompanying food: prosciutto, cheese, chocolate and other lovely gastronomic surprises.Wine tasting tour includes one of the above mentioned wineries.After wine tasting we’ll head to an old, abandoned village Malo Grablje for a fabulous traditional lunch/dinner (depending on the time of day). After all the hard wine work you’ve endured through the day you will have some proper time to rest – and of course continue drinking and eating.
Chocolate and Wine Tasting Small-Group Tour from Hvar
Your chocolate and wine tasting begins with a drive to Jelsa, on the other side of the island of Hvar. Upon arrival, meet your professional chocolatier host. The chocolate tasting begins with a brief history of chocolate and its impact on health. Sample chocolate with unique flavours like Mediterranean fruits and herbs such as sage, lavender, carob, figs, and honey. You will have a chance to taste five different kinds of Chocolates and pralines. In the second part of this experience we will go in small town of Vrboska in one of the most famous Croatian winemakers, where you will have the opportunity to taste four different kinds of wines together with chocolates. The traditional Mediterranean flavors come alive once combined together. As you return to Hvar town you will drive on an old road with amazing views of the green and rural island of Hvar. These views can be captivating.