Marco Polo was right to be born here — stunning arrival

We were travelling from Hvar to Korčula as part of a longer island-hopping trip and chose the private boat to connect them. Our skipper was brilliant — a young Korčulan who was justifiably proud of his home island and its most famous son, Marco Polo. He gave us a running commentary on the islands we passed, pointed out a hawk perched on a limestone cliff, and found us a completely isolated swimming spot that he said was his favourite place in all the Adriatic. The arrival into Korčula's old harbour — with the medieval towers reflected in the still water — was one of the most beautiful things I have seen in years of European travel. This is how to travel in Croatia.