This small town, which is located at the mouth of the Cetina River, has a colorful past. During the 12th and 13th centuries, it was home to notorious pirates who would attack passing ships and then retreat up the river with their prizes. Today, pirates still play a large role in Omis — not as mercenaries, but as tourist experiences. During August, there is a Pirate Festival and all during the summer months, there is a weekly pirate night. Of course, there is more to Omis than just pirates. The area around this town is an active traveler’s paradise. Some of the activities that you can engage in around Omis include windsurfing, rafting, cycling and free climbing. Omis is also home to a number of historical sites, such as the 13th-century Mirabella fortress, and beautiful old churches.
Lovely Cavtat, which is located on the wooded Rat peninsula about 45 minutes south from Dubrovnik, has long been a retreat for Croatia’s rich and famous. Today, this charming city is also growing as a tourist destination for non-Croatians, wooing travelers with gorgeous old buildings that date back to the time of the old Dubrovnik Republic as well as the ancient ruins of other settlements. Among the most popular sights in Cavtat is the Church of St. Nicholas, which features works from the town’s most famous painter, Vlaho Bukovac. Cavtat also has a pretty seaside promenade where you can enjoy a bite to eat while admiring the beauty of the clear blue sea.
In medieval times, salt was a very important element. And Ston was and is a salt-producing village located on an isthmus that connects mainland Croatia with the Peljesac Peninsula. To protect this small village and its prized salt, construction of an impressive 7-km (4-mile) long wall began in 1333. These medieval walls, which stretch from Ston to the small village of Mali Ston, are actually much longer than those belonging to its more famous neighbor Dubrovnik. They are, in fact, the longest defensive structure in Europe and they are sometimes referred to as the European wall of China. Although the wall once boasted 40 towers, only 20 remain today. The Ston area is also home to oyster beds that are said to produce some of the best tasting oysters in the world.
