An Introduction to Mlini…

Mlini holidays are enjoyed in the quiet hamlet of Mlini, sheltered by high mountains, nestling amongst pine trees, olive and orange groves and oleanders.  We feature one of the Mlini hotels, the Hotel Astarea, a perfect holiday retreat just 30 minutes from the airport and 20 minutes from the old city of Dubrovnik. 

Our Mlini holiday flights operate from London Gatwick, Manchester, Birmingham, Exeter and Norwich to Dubrovnik airport in southern Croatia.  Book your Mlini package holiday, Mlini flight or Mlini hotel with Holiday Options and don’t forget our Mlini late deals and holiday offers at very special prices.

The hamlet of Mlini, sheltered by high mountains, nestles amongst pine trees, cypresses, olive and orange groves and oleanders, basking in the warmth of the Mediterranean sun. This charming fishing village, whose name was derived from the old watermill and stream in its centre, has a peaceful harbour and pleasant shoreline. The old stone houses add to the charm of the area.

The old city of Dubrovnik is a short 10km bus or boat ride journey.

The Zupa Valley with its enchanting villages, farms and vineyards is a 15 minutes walk or short bus ride. There are lovely walks along the seashore to the neighbouring resort of Srebreno. Visit the old city of Dubrovnik, easily reached by local bus or boat, the botanical gardens at Trsteno, the oyster beds at Ston, the Elaphite Islands, fish picnic by boat or visit the Konavle Valley, just south of Dubrovnik Airport.

There is an outstanding national park of over 11 square miles with two lakes, Malo and Veliko. On the tiny island of St Mary there is a 12th century Benedictine monastery which can be reached by small taxi boat. For those who prefer pleasant walks, the island is criss-crossed with paths around the lakes, over the hills, through forests and along the seashores. Its hot summers, numerous bathing beaches and fascinating cultural heritage distinguishes Mljet as an unspoiled island resort of immense quality.

Served with fresh vegetables and cooked in olive oil, coastal Croatia’s cuisine is based on a hugely varied range of seafood dishes. It’s said that 400 species of fish thrive in local waters. Some which appear on mouthwatering menus could include bream, cuttlefish and fresh sardines, swordfish-style dentex and orhan, prstaci shellfish, langoustines like mini lobsters, and squid – often deliciously prepared with rice in its own blue-black ink.

Try the brodet - a mixed fish stew with rice. The Italian influence on Croatia extends to its inexpensive specialities with pizza and pasta dishes in many eateries. Local meat is usually produced from free-roaming outdoor reared animals. Specialities include prsut – a Parma ham equivalent, served as a starter with local cheese in oil, cevapcici – little rissoles of beef, onion and herbs, and raznjici – pork kebabs. Manistra od bobica – a dish from the inland area, is a vegetarian soup of beans and maize. Local wines include some from organic vineyards. Some of the best bottled wines are (Reds) Dingac, Postup and Kastellet, (Whites) Posip and Grk from Korcula island and Bogdanusa and Zlatan Otuk from Hvar. If you opt for carafe wines you’ll find the reds are more reliably good than the whites.

Lace, leather goods, embroidered table linens, wood-carvings and colourful ceramics all contribute to the variety of locally hand-crafted giftware. For a personal souvenir, look in little shops and galleries at the work of local artists. You may find a watercolour of a view that will rekindle memories. All the towns and even small villages have somewhere selling local crafts, from market stalls to curiosity shops. Brilliant browsing grounds include Dubrovnik’s medieval streets and marble-paved squares, Cavtat’s old town, the atmospheric centre of ancient Rovinj, and among the cobbled streets of Porec.

Sandy beaches are rare here, the majority of them are fine shingle including the well known Zlatni Rat (Golden Horn) on the island of Brac – which points a 300metre finger into the Adriatic. The island has a smaller sandy cove near Postira, along with several pebble bays. A gently shelving sandy beach attracts families to little Lopud island, offshore from Dubrovnik, while this region’s ‘riviera’ is a series of picturesque pebble bays and water’s edge promenades. White pebble beaches form a gleaming ribbon along the Makarska Riviera, and the ragged and indented coastline of the Istrian Riviera creates a medley of sheltered coves and rocky outcrops. Korcula Island is hemmed by 195 beaches and coves that make excellent snorkelling grounds.

With such famous sons as Goran Ivanisevic and Mario Ancic, it’s no surprise that Croatia is keen on its tennis. Wherever you are, there’s sure to be a court nearby – along with a basketball court and / or football pitch, two other favourite sports. Sailing is a super way to enjoy the coastal seas, and boats and berths can be hired in many little ports. Waterskiing, windsurfing, and fun rides on ‘donuts’ and banana boats are widely available in high season months, and Croatia has several recognised dive schools for scuba enthusiasts. 

A superbly scenic coastal road runs from Dubrovnik north to Zadar, turning inland before returning to the sea to encircle the Istrian peninsula. A hire car would be a real bonus for discovery here, giving you the freedom to stop for photo’s from fantastic perspectives or sit and watch the world go by from a harbourside café. Good regular ferry services link the mainland ports to their outlying islands.

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