CAMPING PRAPRATNO, CROATIA

Written by Verica and Graham Peacock

Caravan Club Overseas Site Inspectors

Camping Prapratno is a little gem, hidden in an idyllic cove on the south-western tip of the Peljesac Peninsula in southern Dalmatia. It has all the requirements for the get- away-from-it-all beach addict. Prapratno is situated 3 kilometres south of the ancient fortifications of Ston. It is about 50 km north of Dubrovnik, which is convenient to visit for a day's outing.

Prapratno is located in Prapratno Bay, described as one of the most beautiful on the whole of the Adriatic. Water is warm and crystal clear and the bay is surrounded with olive trees and pines.

Four years ago we visited Ston but the access road to the camp was difficult. However, this year (2007) we heard that it had been rebuilt and that the site was as beautiful as ever, so we visited it for a short break to recharge our personal batteries after a longish stay in Dubrovnik. The site is quite large, some 400 pitches, and was formerly an olive grove, the trees now providing essential shade. It is surrounded by low hills with the sea at its southern end.

The road is now a three-lane carriageway and at the bottom there is a small harbour with five ferries a day to the island of Mljet, which in itself is worth a visit to see the National Park and its two salt water lakes.

The site boasts one of the few sandy beaches in Croatia with a shallow entry, which is ideal for children. The crystal clear water is perfect for all water sports and angling from the rocky ledges just a short walk around the bay.

Pitches on the site are unmarked, leaving the camper free to choose a good, shady spot.

A well stocked shop serves the campers' needs for food, drinks and other essentials. There is a good reasonably priced restaurant with local fish, shellfish and traditional meat dishes. The local Peljesac wines are good value and excellent quality. Try the Plavac, a lightish red with excellent credentials.

The three toilet blocks have been modernised and even though the site was relatively full there was no crowding for the showers. Like everywhere in Croatia, the tap water is good to drink.

On the beach there is a coffee shop serving fast food snacks and, of course, ice creams. Stalls manned by the locals sell fresh fruit, vegetables and freshly cooked kukuruz (sweetcorn).

This site is principally for the beach addict, although the nearby town of Ston, the southernmost town on the peninsula and closest to the mainland, has interesting enclosing stone walls dating back to pre-1000 AD. The present defensive walls above the town were begun in the 14th century and completed in the 15th century on Dubrovnik's orders.

Look out for the vast areas of fish farms (sea bass, mussels and oysters) in the waters around the town. Maybe the many stalls selling fresh farmed mussels will attract your eye as you travel along the road from the mainland.