The easiest way to travel to Villa Elsa is to fly to Dubrovnik and then hire a car – about 2 hours drive. BA offers cheap flights from Gatwick but early booking is essential to obtain the lower prices. We can advise on the best options for car hire – currently Holiday Autos offer very good value (Tel. 0870 400 0099,http://www.holidayautos.co.uk). There are also taxis and buses from Dubrovnik.

For those wishing to take their own transport, we recommend the Via Michelin route through Germany - Bonn, Munich, Saltzburg - to Rijeka (about 16 hours) then ferry down the Croatian coast to Korcula. This leaves early evening and travels down through the islands, arriving the following morning, a very enjoyable trip and overnight cabins are available. http://www.jadrolinja.hr for full details, book through Viamare Travel Agency in London (Tel. 0870 410 6040). It is possible to continue driving down the Croatian coast to the Peljesac but, although often spectacular, it is a long and winding road. Since 2005, there is an excellent new motorway from Zagreb to Split and this should soon extend to Dubrovnik.

Alternatively, fly Ryanair (Stanstead) to Pescara or Bari in Italy and then take a connecting ferry across the Adriatic to Split or Dubrovnik, continuing on to Korcula. This is at present the cheapest way to travel, although taking longer than a direct flight. On arrival at the island of Korcula, take the foot passenger or car ferry to Orebic (15 mins.) then a short drive or 30 minutes walk to Villa Elsa. It is possible to stay at Villa Elsa without hiring a car, by using the many ferries available to Korcula, Dubrovnik, Split and the islands.

There are various flight operators as follows: -

Charter flights
Holiday Options: Gatwick, Manchester, Bristol, Norwich or Birmingham to Split
and Gatwick, Manchester, Norwich, Birmingham or Glasgow to Dubrovnik.
Tel. 0870 0130 450. www.holidayoptions.co.uk
Hidden Croatia (Air Adriatic): Stansted or Manchester to Split and Dubrovnik.
Tel. 020 7736 6066. www.hiddencroatia.com
Sunsail Holidays: Gatwick to Dubrovnik.
Tel. 02392 222 226. www.sunsailflights.co.uk
Palmair: Bournemouth to Split and Dubrovnik.
Tel. 01202 200 700.
Thomas Cook: Gatwick or Manchester to Split and Dubrovnik.
Tel. 0870 607 5085. www.thomascook.com
First Choice: Gatwick or Manchester to Dubrovnik.
Tel. 0870 750 001. www.firstchoice.co.uk