The mountain Biokovo is the largest and highest mountain in Dalmatia. It extends vertically from the Adriatic coast to an altitude of 1762 m (peak Sv. Jure). More than 16 peaks are over 1400 m (Sv. Ilija - 1640 m, Šibenik - 1314 m, Štropac - 1145 m, Vršac - 1411 m, Sinjal - 1333 m). By nice weather you can see all the islands (Brač, Hvar, Korčula, Vis, Mljet), peninsula Pelješac, some of the cities on the southern Dalmatian coast (Omiš, Split), and the northern cities Vrgorac and Imotski with the surrounding villages. Sometimes, when very clear weather, one can see all the way to Italy.
Due to its geographical position, Biokovo is a mountain that has a continental and a mild mediterranean climate at the same time, so one can find a variety of plant species from both worlds. There are a lot of caves and pits around Biokovo and very often one may encounter wild animals, different kinds of birds and rich vegetation.
Biokovo was declared as a park of nature in 1981. in order to preserve various forms of plant and animal species and natural beauty in an area of 196 km2(19,550 ha). Park is a good destination for botanists as well as hikers and bikers. Botanical garden Kotišina is a part of park of nature Biokovo. It was founded in 1984. and was named after village Kotišina located at the foot of Biokovo, 3 km away from the town Makarska.
Biokovo is a mountain that can be visited by car, by bicycle and on foot from various parts of the Adriatic coast and Makarska Riviera. Access from the coast: Makarska - Makar - Vošac – Sveti Jure (5 hours 30 min) or Makarska - Tučepi - Staza – Sveti Jure (paved road, 31 km).
More information and spectacular images can be found at http://biokovo.com/
The reason for staying on the Makarska Riviera is sun, sea and - well pebble beachs. With a good choice of hotels and lots of water sports, it’s an area to lie back and do nothing, sit on the beach or spend time out on, or above water. Starting from the north the first village is Brela and it’s a pretty mixture of old and new houses, pine woods and lots of beaches. Next is Baška Voda, once a village of farmers and fishermen, and today a modern tourist resort with all features of the small Mediterranean town.The next two villages Promajna and Krvavica - are much quieter. Look out too, for Bratuš, a pretty little fishing village that the Riviera throng seems to have passed by. However, the heart of the Makarska Riviera is of course the town of Makarska itself. Birthplace of footballer Alen Bokšić who played for clubs in Croalia, Italy and England, and home fo Croatia's best rugby team. Makarska somehow has more hiscorical ballast than the other towns along this coast. It has been ruled at diffcrent times by the Romans, the Turks, the Venetians and the Austrians, and the influence of the last two can be seen in the lovely Venetian mansions and dignitied Habsburg-era hotels that stand out next to the drifts of modern apartments, restaurants, tourist agencies, banks and shops. Although there is a Town Museum, a monastery and an exccllent seashell museum, the main reason for coming to Makarska is to swim, soak up the sun, and possibly do a bit of walking.