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Island Paradise in Croatia

10/26/2015

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When Sandra and I did a quick trip through Croatia, we were mainly doing reconnaissance work. We didn’t know much about the country, so we didn’t know which spots we might like the best. We opted to spend a short period of time in several towns to get a better idea. Of all those gems, my favorite choice by far was the unique island of Korčula.
 
As everywhere in Croatia, by July the water was perfect for swimming. (It’s also perfect for sea urchins, so you usually lower yourself into the water from walls or rocks.) We enjoyed the clear water and the peace of a small island that seems forgotten in time.
 
The island’s claim to fame is that it’s the birthplace of Marco Polo. The town has built a pricey kids’ museum in his honor. But what I enjoyed weren’t so much the small narrow streets that went straight up and down or the enticing shops with local wares. I liked the way people used the evening to stroll around the perimeter of the main town. Our room overlooked this perimeter, and until late at night we enjoyed the happy sounds of diners and drinkers. The whole island exuded a sense of calm. As everywhere in Croatia, we found the people to be friendly. After the ravages of war, they are finally able to concentrate on building a better future. Thanks to international tourism, the younger residents study English, so it’s not too hard to get around.

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what attracted me to the island was the mind frame it granted me. What would it have been like to have been on this island in 1254, the year Marco Polo was born? And what strange sentiment could have persuaded him to leave his lovely birthplace and travel as far and wide as was possible?!
 
While locals assured me that the island is cold and stormy in the winter, the beautiful summer months would be adequate compensation. As for myself, I certainly didn’t want to leave.

I haven't set any books on Korčula yet.. wait, that’s a great excuse to go back! My last Andy book was set on an island paradise too. Although I gave it the fictional name of Amiros, the setting was based on Kálymnos, which is another great island getaway (though not for Andy). The book title is Island Casualty, so you can guess that Andy found troubled waters....
 

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    Travel Fun

    Travel is my biggest inspiration. In fact, my motto is that when it comes to travel, no excuse is too small. But now that I'm writing more fiction, I have a special need for the perfect setting. You never know when something exciting or suspicious might take place in a colorful foreign setting!

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