November the 2nd, 2024 – Indian summer, or as the Croats say, bablje ljeto is an interesting phenomenon, and one we’re seeing more frequently. The Indian summer in Lumbarda is proving fruitful.
If you were to ask me personally, I’d tell you I absolutely loathe summer. It has become insufferably hot, and seems to be going on longer and longer each year. The scorching Dalmatian sun is fine for a week or two, but 3-4 months of it gets old, and fast. When the height of the summer season finally draws to a close and the temperatures begin to descend to more pleasant numbers on the thermometer, Croatia takes on new colours.
The gorgeous central Dalmatian island of Korčula is a firm favourite for locals and foreign tourists alike, but despite what the airlines and indeed many portals would have you believe – it doesn’t just vanish into thin air when the sun cools its grip. Korčula isn’t far at all from Hvar, Croatia’s so-called “premier” island, known for its incredibly high hours of annual sunshine. The alleged home of explorer Marco Polo, this island has plenty to boast of outside of the usual sunshine and sea trump cards. The shoulder season is precisely the best time to come and experience them.
The Indian summer in Lumbarda couldn’t be more ideal. The sun is shining but isn’t packing its summertime punch of intense UV rays and sweat, and the crowds have all disappeared. It seems that it isn’t just local people taking the time to enjoy the climate, either, with plenty of foreign number plates still being seen in car parks and on the roads.
Climate change, however damaging, is doing more to extend the traditional Croatian tourist season than any actual efforts from players on the scene have done thus far. The Indian summer in Lumbarda is firm proof of that.
After seeing these tempting pictures from Iva Tatić, all that’s left to be said if you’re anywhere in the vicinity of Korčula right now is – Fancy a dip?
