OVERVIEW:
Mljet is a lovely island off the coast of Dubrovnik. More than half of hte island is a National Park and it is beautifully kept. The main feature of Mljet are the 2 salt water lakes that are in the National Park. There is a well maintained path bordering the lakes that mkakes walking, running or biking easy and beautiful. Mljet is very laid back island with a very small population. You really
feel like you are in unspoiled wilderness and this is helped byt eh
communities commitment to conservation. The public toilets are
water-less eco toilets and many of the residents seem commited to self
sustenance.
GETTING THERE:
To reach Mljet catch the morning boat the "Nona Ana" from Dubrovnik's ferry terminal. The trip takes about 90 minutes and to go see the lakes get off at the second stop POLACE. From Polace you can buy admission to the park for 90 Kuna (30 for children). Admission to the park includes a van ride from Polace to the interior and the two lakes and a boat to take you to/from the small island monastery (small island on the lake) where there is a pricy resturant but also swimming.
You can also catch a ferry from Korcula to the town of Pomena.
ACCOMODATIONS & FOOD:
There are a number of places to stay on Mljet and they are mostly run by families that have rooms and apartments to rent to tourists. There is also one traditional hotel on the island in Pomena called Hotel Odisej.
Most of the accomodations are located in Pomena and Polace. However you can also stay in the nearby town of Soline (SO-lee-nay) for a vacation that is a little further away and a little bit lovelier. Soline is 3 km from the van drop off point and here there are a row of houses that offer acoomodations as well as food. Often the food served is locally caught fish and locally grown produce. On the island there is even a small vineyard where people grow grapes and then make their own wine.
One place that is recommended is Soline6 Eco Apartments. Soline6 is owned and run by a young English-Croatian couple and their family. There are 4 apartments in back of ther main family house and they are clean and new with balconies, small kitchens and private bathrooms. The prices are reasonable and the family makes guests feel like friends rather than customers. They overlook the water and nearby buildings. The young couple's father is a local fisherman and their mother is an amazing cook who will pull together an amazing home-cooked meal of fresh caught fish and locally grown veggies.
There is a very tiny and not well stocked market at the ven drop off point so it is advisable to bring some fo your own food for lunches.
Restaurants have been set-up in front of almost all the homes along the main road/path around the lake. Don't expect any menus just ask them what they have and trust it will be delicious seafood.
ACTIVITIES:
Hiking trails jut off the main paths that circle the lakes. At Polace and Pomena you can rent bicycles for about 100 Kuna a day and biking in the area is fun because there aren't a lot of hills. The lake water is particularly warm - though just the right temperature to cool you off on a hit day. There are two lakes the larger lake "Veliko Jezero" has the island monastery and the smaller lake "Malo Jezero" is known for it's exceptionally warm waters.
