We are delighted to announce the publication and online availabilty of Hvar: An Insider’s Guide 2016, which ws published on May 27, 2016.
The 248-page guide has been thorougly updated and expanded from the last edition in 2012, and with another four years of living on the island and running the Total Hvar project in that time – a lot more insider knowledge.
There is an expanded Activties section, a deeper look at the Hvar wine scene, including introductions to seven of the best winemakers, a comprehensive section on the Pakleni Islands, and a deeper look at Hvar’s UNESCO heritage – the most of any island in the world.
Many thanks to Romulic and Stojcic for the gorgeous cover.
The paperback edition is available for £10.99, the Kindle version for US$9.99.
PLEASE NOTE:
1. This edition will be available online ONLY. I am using the Amazon Print on Demand service, which is much more practical from an author’s point of view than self-publication and self-distribution. Apart from the risk of investment, organising and managing the distribution of a physical book is too much. With this service, the publishing costs in advance are zero and are paid from the sales price with each individual order, and as for distribution – it is in the biggest bookshop in the world – Amazon. One of the disadvantages of self-publication is that most people wanted the copy before they arrived on Hvar, which meant more trips to the post office. Having it online at Amazon will be the best for all.
2. This edition has no pictures inside apart from the cover. The reason for that is that Amazon’s publishing costs increase significantly once colour pictures are included. I wanted to make it available initially for people wanting the information, as lots of people are waiting, with holidays planned. I will publish a second version with more gorgeous photos from Romulic and Stojcic, but be warned it will necessarily be about 50% more expensive due to the Amazon colour picture printing costs.
3. If there are any mistakes in the text, please email me at [email protected] and I will correct. One of the benefits of print on demand is the book can be updated overnight.
4. The Kindle version is now live on this link.
5. The paperback version is now live on Create Space here.
6. It will be live on the entire Amazon network in 3-5 business days, according to the email I received this morning. FYI, if you buy via Create Space and not Amazon, the author retains 70% more of the royalties. Just sayin’…
7. If I find a minute, I plan to publish a double book in one – the Hvar guide with Lavender, Dormice and a Donkey Named Mercdes, my humorous look at a decade of living on Hvar as an Englishman. But no 100% promises, as I am finding it hard to find a minute at the moment.
And that’s it. I hope you enjoy the book and find it useful. It was a lot of work, but also a lot of fun, to do, and just reading it through before publication, I realised just how much this amazing island has to offer. I hope the book will help you in that discovery.
See you on Hvar!
The contents:
INTRODUCTION
Why Hvar?
When to Go
5 Festivals Not to Miss
5 Tours Not to Miss
Events in 2016
What’s in a Name? How to Pronounce ‘Hvar’?
Exclusive Hvar: Which Celebrities Have REALLY Visited the Island?
A History of Tourism on Hvar, the Oldest Organised Tourism in Europe
A Brief History of the Island
Is Hvar Really a Party Island?
Behaviour on Hvar: a Polite Request
An Island with the Most UNESCO Heritage in the World
Village in Focus: Velo Grablje
CHAPTER 1: GETTING THERE AND AROUND
Flights to Croatia
Seaplanes to Hvar
Ferries to Hvar
Catamarans to Hvar Town and Jelsa
How to Buy Ferry Tickets in Split
From Split Airport to the Ferry Terminal
How to Get to Hvar from Dubrovnik
Buses and Trains to Split
Private Speedboat Transfer
Car Rental: Mainland or Island?
A Brief Tour on the Main Roads
CHAPTER 2: WHERE TO STAY
Hvar Town
Stari Grad
Vrboska
Jelsa
Hostels
Private Accommodation
Camping
Registering Your Stay and Rental Licences
The ‘Sobe’ Ladies
Couchsurfing
CHAPTER 3: GUIDE TO THE PAKLENI ISLANDS
Sveti Klement, from Palmizana to Vlaka
Marinkovac, from Carpe Diem Beach to Zdrilca and Mlini
Jerolim
Galesnik
Vodnjak
Water Taxis
CHAPTER 4: THE TOWNS OF HVAR
Top 5 Things to Do in Hvar Town
A Tour of Hvar Town Restaurants
The Legendary Hvar Town Nightlife
5 Cafes to Check Out
What to See
Museums in Hvar Town
Stari Grad
UNESCO World Heritage Site – the Stari Grad Plain
Top 5 Things to Do in Stari Grad
Where to Eat
Cafes, Bars and Nightlife
What to See
Jelsa
Top 5 Things to Do in Jelsa
A Tour of Jelsa’s Restaurants
5 Great Cafes
The Jelsa Cockatil Scene
What to See
Vrboska
Top 5 Things to do in Vrboska
An Overview of Vrboska Restaurants
Things to See
Sucuraj
Where to Eat
CHAPTER 5: THE VILLAGES OF HVAR
Western Hvar to the Tunnel
Central Hvar
The Hilltop Villages
The Kabal Peninsula
Through the Pitve Tunnel
Eastern Hvar
From Jelsa to Sucuraj
CHAPTER 6: BEACHES
Top 5 Beaches on Hvar
Beach clubs on Hvar
Beaches on Pakleni Islands
Beaches in and around Hvar Town
Stari Grad and the Kabal Peninsula
Vrboska and Jelsa
The South side from Sveta Nedjelja to Gromin Dolac
The Unspoilt Bays of Eastern Hvar
Naturism
CHAPTER 7: ACTIVITIES
Sailing
Sea Kayaking
Wakeboard
Flyboard
Stand Up Paddle
Windsurfing
Cycling
Triathlon Training Camp with Dejan Patrcevic
Skydiving
Hiking
Rock Climbing
Adventure Park Jelsa
Scuba Diving
Deep Sea Fishing
Hvar Half Marathon
Keeping Fit on Hvar
Yoga – Suncokret Body and Soul Retreat
Olive, Lavender and Grape Harvests
A History of Lavender on Hvar
Kids Activities
Day Trips
CHAPTER 8: THE WINES OF HVAR
History of Wine on Hvar
Grape Varieties on Hvar
Hvar Rose: An Undiscovered Gem
Hvar Wine Association
Wine Festivals
Hvar Wine Producers: 7 Not to Miss
Hvar Wine Tasting Tours
Croatia’s Master of Wine Capital
The Rise of the Hvar Wine Bar
CHAPTER 9: FOOD AND DRINK
Some Dalmatian Specialities to Try on Hvar
Some Typical Dalmatian Recipes
Traditional Drinks on Hvar
CHAPTER 10: SHOPPING
Supermarkets on Hvar
Typical Island Souvenirs
5 Shops Not to Miss
CHAPTER 11: PRACTICALITIES
Visas
Health and Emergency
Money and Banks
Phone and Internet
Public Holidays
Apps for Hvar
Weather on Hvar
Language
Safety and Hvar with Children
Religion
Water and Electricity
Laundry
Buying Property on Hvar
Hvar and the Environment
CHAPTER 12: THE TOTAL HVAR PROJECT
From Somalia to Hvar – How I Came From Hell to Paradise
About This Book and a Request
Total Hvar: Quality Information for a Quality Island
Acknowledgements
USEFUL NUMBERS
MAP
