I stand curiously on the upper deck of the ferry from Split and take in the first impressions as we enter the bay of Vela Luka. While a typical Croatian rocky coastline with beautiful swimming coves passes by, the harbour draws closer. The town surrounds the entire rear area of the bay. Above the long harbour promenade, the houses stretch up the slopes of the surrounding hills. In the days of ancient Greece, the island was still lushly covered with dark forests, which is why it was called Korkyra Melaina, Black Island. The name Korčula was later derived from this. The name remained, and fortunately (dark) forests are present once again. Long, green hill ranges with macchia and pine forests, fertile valleys with olive groves, vines and fruit orchards define the island’s landscape. Read more