PASMAN ISLAND

When we returned from China, we never thought that a year later the world would be turned upside down and everything would change. The virus came - from China - and processes that we had predicted would appear in Europe at least 5-7 years later, or that we hadn't considered at all, started to unfold. The masks commonly used in Asian countries have also become a part of our lives, and the online market, home delivery, and contactless payment have increased at a rapid pace.
Taking advantage of the initial easing of the chaotic situation, we went on vacation to Croatia. Our small family was characterised by the usual planning: we made decisions at the last minute and started searching for options. The situation was complicated by the fact that our family had recently expanded with Fagyi, the Transylvanian hound girl.
The size of the team and the four-legged family member made the search and the selection of the ideal location more difficult. We accidentally discovered the island of Pašman in Croatia and, at the same time, one of our best accommodations. It was significantly further away than our usual Croatian destinations, but that didn't stop us. We set off according to the classic plan: a stop at Lake Balaton, and then early the next morning, off to Croatia.
We arrived in about 7-8 hours, with more stops due to Fagyi. This was her first long journey, and she handled it without any problems. Fortunately, there were no issues with traffic either; we moved at a good pace without any jams, and after about a 20-minute ferry ride near Zadar, we arrived at the island.
We stayed in Zdrelac, 20 meters from the water. The small beach was used by the locals, and most of the holiday homes had private docks with sun loungers and motorboats. Along the shore, one could walk for quite a distance to the end of the bay, while in the other direction, one could admire the boats heading out to sea. Our accommodation - Villa Feriatum Lissa - met all our needs.
The one-week vacation was characterised by a "let's see how it goes" feeling, and the rhythm of the days was regulated by three factors: Fagyi's needs, the boys' waking times, and the daily temperature. As a result, the morning/early afternoon was spent exploring nearby places while walking the dog, while the afternoon was dedicated to activities with the youth.
Thanks to Covid, very few people decided to set out, so the island seemed almost deserted. Whether we went on a sightseeing trip by car or on foot, we hardly encountered anyone and could enjoy the beach, diving, and hiking in peace.
The cultural programs took a bit of a backseat. A couple of churches, the Fortress of St. Michael on Ugljan Island connected by the bridge to Pašman, and a trip to Zadar filled the time alongside the beach.
In addition to the few tourists, another positive aspect is that the island is green, easily navigable due to its size, and has excellent (off-road) cycling paths. The beaches are diverse, and both fans of sandy and rocky shores will find an ideal bathing opportunity. Travellers with four-legged companions can cool off their pets and themselves at the dog beach in Tkon, in addition to hiking.
July, 2021







