Telascica

Telascica, a natural extension of Kornati National Park, is an 8,200 meter-long bay to the south of Dugi otok, which is the subject of many myths and legends. Since it is one of the safest and one of the most beautiful Adriatic ports, it has become a favorite destination of many yachtsmen. The bay encompasses 25 little bays, 5 islets, a 68 kilometer-long coastline and the natural phenomenon known as Slano Lake, which is saltier than the Adriatic. Its impressive cliffs, sometimes rising as high as 150 meters above the sea (Grpascak is the highest cliff in the Adriatic), represent a protective barrier between the bay and the open sea. Telascica’s flora and fauna are very abundant, and the park is famous for its large number of mouflons.

Dugi Otok

Dugi Otok is the largest island of the Zadar archipelago, with an area of 114.44 km2 and a 179.75 km coastline. There are 11 villages facing the mainland and a steep southwestern coast facing the open sea. One of the most attractive parts of the island is Telascica Bay in the southwest, which has been placed under protection as a park of nature. In terms of geography and its relief, this area is a part of the Kornati National Park. Other attractions include the westernmost coastal strip, which is the location of the tourist village Bozava, a sandy beach called Sakarun and the Veli Rat lighthouse. The latter dominates the entire surrounding landscape. Sali is a fishing village where the 1000th anniversary of the first written evidence of fishing in Croatia was celebrated in 1995. Dugi Otok is linked with the mainland by the Zadar-Zaglav and Zadar-Brbinj ferry lines.From the mainland, one can see two small islands in front of Dugi Otok. These are the picturesque islands of RAVA i ZVERINAC. Both are inhabited.Dugi Otok-the largest island ( 77 squaremiles ) in the North Dalmatian archipelago, and one of the largest in the Adriatic. It is 32 miles long and between 0.6 and 2.5 miles wide. Among a series of lime-stone mountain ridges , with Vela Straža being the highest ( 1.100 feet ), spread fertile Karst fields. The south-west coast of the island in steep, with beautiful cliffs , and the rest of the island coust gently descends towards the sea , with numerous smaller and larger bays, among the Solisæica , Sakarun, Pantera and Telašæica with sandy beaches. The cultivable part of Dugi Otok is covered with olive trees , vineyards and vegetable gardens, and on the rest of the island there are woods and macchia groves.The Byzantine emperor Constantine Porfirogenet mentions Dugi Otok in the 10th century under the name of Pizuh. In the 11th century the island is called Insula Tilagus , in the 13th century Veliki Otok. The name Dugi Otok is mentioned for the first time in 1460. The oldest archeological findings are from the younger stone age , and on the prominent island ridges the ruins of illyrian fortifications can be found.The Croats settled on the island very early and the Old Christian churches on the island are from that period.
Today there are around 1800 inhabitants in 11 villages on the island , Sali being the largest among them. All villages are connected with asphalt roads which offer magnificent view of the island. Along with traditional professions-fishing and agriculture- recently more and more people turned to tourism.There are three hotels with 1000 beds, numerous restaurants, private apartments and hauses. Shops can be found in all the villages, post offices in some of them, and almost all the hauses have telephones. There are permanetly employed physicians in Sali , Žman and Božava. The island is well connected with the mainland by ferries and hydrofoils. All these are excellent preconditions for the development of tourism on the island. In addition to the above, we must stress the natural beauties of the island : sleep cliffs and gentle slopes of the island coast , numerous tiny islands which surround Dugi Otok – this is the true paradise for every visitor or anybody sailing around it. Rich olive groves , unspoiled nature ,numerous deserted , smaller or larger bays , Telašæica reserve best known among them , the Kornati Archipelago ( a national park ) which leans against Dugi Otok with the crystal clear sea- all guarantee that your vacation on this island will be something different , something unforgettable. To make your experience even more enjoyable the hospitable islanders will offer you fresh fish prepared with their olive oil , or fresh figs from their own gardens.