Korčula

Korčula is a long island in southern Dalmatia, and its main town is among the most complete walled towns surviving on the Adriatic. The town's plan is what distinguishes it: a single central street with lanes branching off in a **herringbone**, and it is not accidental — the lanes on the eastern side are **straight**, to let the summer breeze in, and those on the western side **curved**, to block the winter bora. A medieval plan designed for climate. **Venice** ruled it for centuries, and **Marco Polo** is said to have been born here — a claim widely made locally but **not historically established**. The island is also one of Croatia's important white-wine regions: the **Pošip** and **Grk** varieties are grown almost nowhere else, and the sandy fields of **Lumbarda** are the only place in the world Grk grows. Note: Korčula is **far quieter and less crowded than Hvar**, and the better choice for a Dalmatian island without the noise.