Island Brac, Croatia

Bol is the oldest coastal village on the island, situated at the bottom of Mount Vid (Vidova gora), the highest peak on the Adriatic. It was mentioned for the first time in 1184 in manuscripts of Povlja as the bishop's palace situated in the place of the present Dominican monastery. Nowadays, the monastery is significantly larger so within its premises one can visit a museum with numerous works of art, icons, incunabula, manuscripts and church clothes.

There is also a horticultural park with Mediterranean aromatic herbs and protected turtles. Pebbly beaches spread all along the coast, hidden by pine trees and tamarisks, while in the very centre one can see a gothic villa and famous arcs, St. Anthony's church and a baroque palace with noble armor. Walking along the coast you will arrive to a marvelous marble promenade shadowed by pine trees, leading you to the most beautiful beach on the Adriatic – Zlatni rat, the capital of all surfers in Croatia.

Even in summer, northern winds blow on Zlatni rat almost all day long making the sea surface always a bit restless and attracting, consequently, lovers of excitement and water sports. Long ago, despite the restless sea, Bol was a significant port and a proprietor of even 15 ships! Today, there are only excursion boats with tourists coming from nearby islands or mainland for a one-day excursion. Just 5 km away there is Murvica, a small coastal village above which there is Zmajeva špilja (Dragon's cave), once a residing place of Croatian catholic priests who escaped the invasion of Turcs by coming to Brac and building there a magnificent monastery complex Blaca.