Undiscovered Croatia - time stands still on Scedro, off Hvar

Life is slowly changing on the Dalmatian coast, as local culture adapts to the needs of modern tourism, but there are still pockets of raw, unspoiled nature and tranquility, as Digital Journal discovered on a visit to the little known island of Scedro on January 28, 2013.

Paul Bradbury

Stjepko Kordic, master skipper and keeper of the legends on Scedro

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Situated some 2.7km south of Croatia's premier island of Hvar, and accessible by water taxi from the resort of Zavala, Scedro is not the most approachable destination in Croatia, but this has resulted in its charm, as it has been largely overlooked by tourists. Despite the rather limited number of tourists - tourism only began in the 1970s - it is very much on the sailing map, with its deep bays.

Paul Bradbury

The welcome on Scedro - gutting fish

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Entering the picturesque bay of Mostir is a step back in time, with a fisherman meticulously gutting and cleaning the daily catch of some 20kg.

Paul Bradbury

Real life is a world away on Scedro

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Mostir is a bay of half a dozen old stone houses, pristine water and a few boats. Idyllic.

Paul Bradbury

Scedro's heritage dates back to the 11th century

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Its real heritage gem is the 15th century monastery, which used to house some sixty monks and nuns. In front of it is a 13th century church, with the oldest part dating back to the 11th century.

Paul Bradbury

Once the home to 60 monks, the 15th century monastery's water tank provides water for the inhabitants to this day

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Local legend has it that when the last nun died, there was only one monk left, and he took the door off the monastery, laid it in the water, and made his way to neighbouring Hvar. The 600 year-old water tank still provides the water for the one family which lives on the island all year.

Paul Bradbury

A traditional way of ageing rakija

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Local produce is used to produce an array of products from excellent wines to fragrant soaps. Above, a traditional way to age rakija in wood.

Paul Bradbury

Scedro's rosemary honey came fourth in the world in the 2011 Apimondia in Argentina

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While Scedro may be off the world map, its honey is not, and leading Hvar honey maker Boris Buratovic came fourth in the 2011 Apimondia in Argentina with his rosemary honey from Scedro. There are other honey producers from Hvar who base their hives on Scedro for its natural benefits. Hvar TV reported on Buratovic and his Scedro honey last year (see video below).

Paul Bradbury

A major traffic jam on Scedro

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There are no roads as such, but some paths between the various bays. Cars do exist, transported across by perching them on two boats, and the occasional traffic jam can occur.

Paul Bradbury

The road from Mostir is a 20 minute walk to the main bay of Veli Porat

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The walk from the monastery to the main bay of Veli Porat takes 20 minutes on foot through divine nature.

Paul Bradbury

Veli Porat

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While Veli Porat may have more houses and more eating options, it is still very relaxed and a world away from the real world. A sailing paradise.

Paul Bradbury

A typical trip to the 'mainland' from Scedro - to Zavala on Hvar

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Connections to the real world are by boat only - a typical journey across the water to Zavala.

Paul Bradbury

Lunch on the water - catch of the day washed down with local wines

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Lunch on the water. Simple, classic Dalmatian fare. Grilled fish from the catch of the day, lemon, olive oil, rocket salad, local wines. Simple. Uncomplicated. Delicious.

Paul Bradbury

The return journey from Scedro to Hvar

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And finally time to leave, a return to the 'Big Smoke' of Hvar. In an age of globalisation, tourism experiences such as Scedro are a dying breed. Get there before the hordes discover it - it will change you.