Pelješac: The most beautiful in September
- by croatiaweek
- in Travel
Who says summer is over? It is still going on Croatia’s Pelješac peninsula. September is the perfect time to enjoy the south of Dalmatia to the fullest – beautiful beaches, great wine, great food, better prices, no crowds, and also the Salt Festival which lasts until September 20 on the entire peninsula.
When you are on Pelješac, some things simply should not be missed.
A visit to the oldest saltworks in Europe
It has existed since the time of the Roman Empire, it brought a third of the revenue to the Republic of Dubrovnik and was of strategic importance.
The tradition of salt extraction has lasted for four thousand years and since then until today salt has been produced in the Ston Saltworks in the same way. Nine of the ten crystallization pools are named after saints: Francis, Nicholas, Balthazar, Anthony, Joseph, John, Peter and Paul. Salt was extracted from the Mundo pool for the people, as the word itself says, but also for all those who worked hard to extract salt.
During the time of the Republic of Dubrovnik, the Vlaho and Lazar pools, from which the purest salt was extracted for the Vienna Palace, were especially valued for their granite bottoms.
Swimming on beautiful beaches
Dalmatians claim that the best time to swim is in September. The sea is still warm and there are no crowds, so if you have a day off, head to Pelješac. The beaches are beautiful.
Divna and Duba ten kilometers from Trpanj, Vučina in Žuljana, Prapratno near Ston, Trstenica in Orebić – ideal for families with children, Ponta Liberan in Viganj – a paradise for surfers, beaches in Drače and Sreser, pebbles or sand, hidden coves… – select what you love and enjoy the Indian summer.
Wine tours
A glass of Plavac with lunch or dinner on Pelješac is a must. This is a wine peninsula, and plavac wines are its trademark. There are more than 250 registered wine producers on Pelješac, and during the Salt Festival, in these wineries you can get top quality wine at better prices: Wine bar Cardo and family farm Natura Mišo Ledinić in Ston; Marlais and Željko Ledinić wineries, OPG Dubravko Vukas and Vina Maro Andrović in Ponikve; PZ Putniković; OPG Ivan Bezek, Vinarija Dežulović and Pelješki Vrhovi – PZ Janjina in Janjina; Edivo and OPG Grgurević in Drače; Grgić Winery in Trstenik; Family farms Vina Violić and Antunović in Kuna; Jurica vina and family farms Niko Antičević and Petar Matković in Potomje and Saints Hills Winery in Oskorušno.
Salt Festival
Along with Solana Ston, the Salt Festival includes about forty restaurants, taverns, wineries and family farms. Festival menus are offered at prices of 120 and 180 kuna, wine is up to 20 percent cheaper, lower prices for visits to oyster farms with tasting on boats.