ISLAND HIKING OUTFIT FEATURING A GEOMETRIC PRINT DRESS

 I'm back with another vacation/beach inspired outfit, but this one is also appropriate for island hiking. You've probably noticed that printed dresses are my summer 'go to' item. Yesterday I showed you a cherry print one and today I'll show you how to wear a dress with a geometric print. The geometric prints that are trending the most this season are retro ones. We saw retro patterns and prints featured in numerous 2019 resorts collections. Not that I bought this dress with the intention of following this trend, it's more a coincidence. With all the summer micro trends, you're bound to pick up on some trend sooner or later (even if you don't try). 

I've actually had this dress for years, got it in a collaboration. You know that I'm all for shopping's one closet as it is a great way to be more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Today you can see me wearing a geometric print dress I wore many times on this blog (proof here, here and here) and even more in 'real life' , a pair of Startas sneakers I wore just as much (proof here). The only 'new' thing  about my outfit is the necklace I made myself (from left over materials). Therefore, you could say this outfit is pretty sustainable. I'm thinking about starting a feature called sustainability files where I would share how I shop my closet and do other sustainable stuff, but until then you can also check this post where I pointed out the many benefits of getting the most out of our closets. 

CITED FROM https://www.britannica.com/sports/hiking

Hiking, walking in nature as a recreational activity. Especially among those with sedentary occupations, hiking is a natural exercise that promotes physical fitness, is economical and convenient, and requires no special equipment. Because hikers can walk as far as they want, there is no physical strain unless they walk among hills or mountains.

Many persons walk alone, mainly on weekends or holidays, but youth clubs and other groups arrange rambles, or hikes. The normal length of the walk undertaken is 7 to 12 miles (11 to 19 km) for a half day or 12 to 20 miles (19 to 32 km) for a full day. Those organized rambles, combining exercise with enjoyment of the countryside, are in country districts surrounding large towns and follow a planned route. Most densely populated European towns have hiking trails outside them.

For regular and intensive walkers there are available services offered by such associations as the Ramblers’ Association in Great Britain and the Wilderness Society in the United States. Those organizations encourage hiking and preserve footpaths, bridle paths, and rights of way in parkland and recognized open spaces in areas of natural beauty against the encroachment of builders, local authorities, and national undertakings. They also help hikers to obtain hostel accommodation and, by exchange of information and services, enable persons of one country to pursue these activities in others. The Appalachian Trail Conference (U.S.), with the aid of its member organizations in 14 states, maintains campsites and a trail more than 2,000 miles (3,200 km) long between Mount Katahdin in Maine and Mount Oglethorpe in Georgia; it publishes information on conditions of the camps and trail.

Hiking is basic to many sporting activities and is also a widely recommended and practiced form of physical training. For example, hiking constitutes a large part of mountain climbing; experienced mountaineers know that they must train themselves for the long, arduous hikes over the lower trails and across glaciers and snowfields. Backpack camping, hunting, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and orienteering are other sports and sporting activities in which hiking is important. The ability to walk considerable distances without becoming overtired (an ability generally acquired through practice) also enhances the enjoyment of such other activities as bird-watching, nature walks, field trips of all sorts, and even sightseeing.

Hiking is used as a test of fitness, notably in England, where it is embraced in the duke of Edinburgh’s scheme for boys and girls, and in Sweden and the Netherlands. In Sweden it was made a national fitness test in the early 1930s, and by the 1970s more than three million Swedish men, women, and boys possessed the time qualification badge. The Nijmegen marches in the Netherlands, organized by the Dutch League of Physical Culture, are open to the world in both civilian and military categories. The test comprises four separate days’ consecutive walking over distances up to 35 miles (56 km) each day, with about 12,000 persons taking part.

5 BENEFITS OF ISLAND HIKING 

(THAT ARE RELEVANT EVEN WHEN YOU'RE ON A VACATION)

As I explained, today I'm sharing a hiking outfit with you. There are many known benefits of hiking and spending time outdoors. Going for a walk in the nature always makes sense, even when you're vacationing- and perhaps especially when you're on vacation. In fact, hiking can be the perfect way for you to explore some area you're staying in. Island hiking is a great way to get to know any island. I feel that island experience is always a special one. Being surrounded by water can feel so relaxing and calming. Whether it is an island located in a sea or one in a lake, one can feel calmer with all that water surface around.  Some of the health benefits of going for a longer walk in nature can include:

1. Digital detox (because sometimes we are tempted to check our phones even on vacay):

 Resting our eyes from the screens is pretty important and what better way to do it than by taking in some beautiful landscape in? Going on an island hike is a great way to remind ourselves that the best panorama is not on Instagram or Pinterest but rather there where we can enjoy it, aka in the real world. Nothing wrong in searching for inspiration online but sometimes we really do need a digital detox. 

2. Physical activity (because potato coach lifesytle comes with a health risk):

Great thing about hiking is that you can adjust it to your fitness levels. It doesn't have to very long or intense if your health or general fitness state doesn't permit. Listen to your body. A slow walk is appropriate even for the elderly and chronically ill. Physical activity is an important aspect of overall health preservation and maintenance.

3. No noise, less stress (because we all need some peace and quiet):

You hear warnings about the dangers of prolonged screen times, but often we are not aware of how much the noise we're exposed to daily can increase our stress levels. Resting our ears might be as important as resting our eyes. Don't underestimate the effect of silence. In addition, nature sounds such as the sound of the waves, a creek or the bird song can have a relaxing effect on many. The calming sound of waves can be the perfect accompaniment to your island hike. 

4. Fresh air (because our lungs need some TLC as well):

Our lungs works hard and so does our whole body. The air we breathe in isn't always of the best quality. Often we spend our time indoors and we don't get nearly enough fresh air. Even when we do get out (especially if we happen to live in a city), the air we breathe in might be problematic. A typical urban settlement has its own fair share of traffic and we know how polluting the city air can be. That is why an island getaway can be such a great idea. Fresh air is obviously beneficial for our lungs and overall health. Fresh air boosts our immune system and spending time outdoors can lower the changes of depression.

5. Inspiration and a change of scenery (because it can boost creativity and make us feel better):

Nature can be a great way to find inspiration and get our creative juices flowing. I always say that the nature is the best artist. Indeed, observing nature (both flora and fauna of some place) can teach us a lot. Island hiking can be a perfect way to get inspired and  this doesn't only apply to artists or people working in creative field. A change of scenery is a good for anyone really and we all need it sometimes. Best thing about hiking is that it is free. It doesn't cost anything and it is  a fantastic way to change up our routine. 

POST UPDATE: 

https://modaodaradosti.blogspot.com/2023/08/revisiting-jelsa-on-island-hvar-croatia.html

MY ART AND PAINTINGS ARE OFTEN INSPIRED BY ISLAND HVAR

TRAVEL WITH MY ART #35 BEACH KAMENJARA, VRBOSKA, HVAR

#1 PALERMO ISLAND SICILY (ITALY)    #2 BAY MALA STINIVA, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA)   #3 IRKUTSK, SIBERIA (RUSSIA) #4  MATEJUŠKA, SPLIT CITY (CROATIA)
#5 HVAR CITY, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) #6 ZENTA MARINE, SPLIT CITY (CROATIA) 

 #7 ZAVALA, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) #8 SUCURAJ, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA)
#9 MALA STINIVA, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) #10 HVAR TOWN, ISLAND HVAR ( CROATIA)
#11 JELSA TOWN, DANCE O THE SAILS (CROATIA) #12 ZAVALA, ISLAND HVAR, (CROATIA)
#13: SUCURAJ, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) #14: BAY BRIZENICA, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) 
#15 BAY LOZNA, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) #16 BAY VEPRINOVA, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA)
#17 BOL, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) #18 PLANINICA, (BOSNIA AND HERZEGOVINA)
#19 SUCURAJ, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) 

#20 BEACH SOLINE,VRBOSKA,  ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA)
#21 STARI GRAD, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) #22 MAKARSKA (CROATIA)
#23 ZAVALA  PANORAMA (CROATIA) #24 ŽNJAN BEACH, SPLIT CITY (CROATIA)
#25 JELSA, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) #26 ZAVALA BAY, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA)

#27 MALA STINIVA IN SUMMER, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA)  #28 TRAVEL WITH MY ART, BASINA BAY, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) #29 TRAVEL WITH MY ART, BAY TORAC, ISLAND HVAR (CROATIA) #30 TRAVEL WITH MY ART, VALETTA, ISLAND MALTA (MALTA)   #31 TRAVEL WITH MY ART : CAPE PLANKA (CROATIA) #32 TRAVEL WITH MY ART: ZAVALA (CROATIA)

#TRAVEL WITH MY ART #33: LOZNA, ISLAND HVAR

#34 TRAVEL WITH MY ART BOTA SURF CENTRE, VRBOSKA, ISLAND HVAR, CROATIA

BENEFITS OF SPENDING TIME BY THE SEA

 (OR ANY LARGE WATER SURFACE, LAKES ARE GREAT FOR RELAX TOO!)

I might have already mentioned this on blog, but years ago I read somewhere that the beach is the most perfect environment for us. Why? Supposedly, it is because of that the fact that on a beach we have all the elements present (water, earth, wind). That makes sense and it is indeed possible that this balance of elements is something that calms our senses. A beach is an open space, a place where the sea meets the sky. Perhaps it is true that a beach brings all the elements in harmony. Moreover, over the years I read many articles about how and why is the sea so beneficial for our health. I've always loved the sea and with years I've found more reasons to love it you might say. I believe there is some good scientific evidence behind the claim that the sea may be good for us. Perhaps not for all of us, but for most of us. We are all different and not everyone  will adore spending time by the sea, but there is definitely truth in the claim that being by the sea can be beneficial for our health. Island hiking seems to be me like an activity that can give us the best of both worlds. According to some experts, spending time by the sea can help both our mental and physical health. The same can be said of hiking, on overall it is good for our health. Hiking doesn't cost anything and it can help us in many ways.  Whenever I'm in Croatia, I try to for a walk by the sea, even if it is just a very short walk. I don't live by the sea anymore, so whenever I'm near sea, I try to make the most out of it. I do hike around lakes when I can as well. Any big surface of water has a calming effect of me. It was only a few days that I blogged about hiking by Neretva river.  Spending time outdoors is always great!

A long time ago, in a far away place, a paradise island existed...and it still exists today.

DO YOU WANT TO FIND OUT MORE INFORMATION ABOUT ISLAND HVAR ?

A TIP FOR ENGLISH SPEAKERS- JUST PRONOUNCE IT AS 'FAR' AS IN 'FAR AWAY'

Don't break you tongue. We know that you probably can't pronounce its name. So, why not pronounce the name of the island the way the locals do: Far or For? It's pronounced just like the English world for far (as in far away). 

INFO CITED FROM WIKIPEDIA https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hvar

Hvar (pronounced [xvâːr]; Chakavian: Hvor or For, Greek: Φάρος, romanized: Pharos, Latin: Pharia, Italian: Lesina) is a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea, located off the Dalmatian coast, lying between the islands of Brač, Vis and Korčula. 

THIS GREEN ISLAND IS ALMOST 70 KILOMETRES LONG 

Approximately 68 kilometres (42.25 mi) long,^[1] with a high east–west ridge of Mesozoic limestone and dolomite, the island of Hvar is unusual in the area for having a large fertile coastal plain, and fresh water springs. Its hillsides are covered in pine forests, with vineyards, olive groves, fruit orchards and lavender fields in the agricultural areas. The climate is characterized by mild winters, and warm summers with many hours of sunshine.^[2] 

HVAR IS THE FOURTH MOST DENSELY POPULATED ISLAND IN CROATIA 

The island has 10,678 residents according to the 2021 census,^[3] making it the 4th most populated of the Croatian islands.

ISLAND HVAR HAS HAD A LONG AND INTERESTING HISTORY, BEING INHABITED FROM PREHISTORICAL TIMES

Hvar's location at the centre of the Adriatic sailing routes has long made this island an important base for commanding trade up and down the Adriatic, across to Italy and throughout the wider Mediterranean. It has been inhabited since prehistoric times, originally by a Neolithic people whose distinctive pottery gave rise to the term Hvar culture, and later by the Illyrians. The ancient Greeks founded the colony of Pharos in 384 BC on the site of today's Stari Grad, making it one of the oldest towns in Europe. They were also responsible for setting out the agricultural field divisions of the Stari Grad Plain, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In medieval times, the town of Hvar rose to importance within the Venetian Empire as a major naval base. Prosperity brought culture and the arts, with one of the first public theatres in Europe, nobles' palaces and many fine communal buildings.

THE 16 CENTURY WAS A TURBULENT BUT PROSPEROUS TIME FOR ISLAND HVAR 

The 16th century was an unsettled time, with the Hvar Rebellion, coastal raids by pirates and the Ottoman army from the mainland, resulting in some unusual fortified buildings on the northern shore to protect the local population. After a brief time under Napoleonic rule, the island became part of the Austrian Empire, a more peaceful and prosperous time. On the coast, harbours were expanded, quays built, fishing and boat building businesses grew. At the same time, the island's wine exports increased, along with lavender and rosemary production for the French perfume industry. However, this prosperity did not continue into the 20th century as wooden sailing boats went out of fashion, and the phylloxera blight hit wine production. Many islanders left to make a new life elsewhere.^[4][5][6]

ISLAND HVAR HAS A LONG TRADITION OF TOURISM

One industry, tourism, has however continued to grow and is now a significant contributor to the island's economy. The formation of The Hygienic Association of Hvar in 1868 for the assistance of visitors to the island has been instrumental in developing an infrastructure of hotels, apartments, restaurants, marinas, museums, galleries and cafés.^[7] Today, the island of Hvar is a tourist destination, consistently listed in the top 10 islands by Conde Nast Traveler magazine.^[8]

BAY SOCA- ONE OF THE SMALLEST SOUTHERN GDINJ'S BAYS

These images were taken in bay Soca during one of our island hikes. I wanted to check out what is new in bay Soca so I had a look around. When I was a kid there was only one house there (and I'm not sure that one was fully finished either), but now there are two beautiful houses there (and one that isn't finished). When we went hiking it was (besides the obvious benefits of hiking) with the purpose of showing my husband other Gdinj's  bays and coves (apart from bay Torac) where we were staying. I really enjoyed visiting bay Soca. It is one of the smallest bays belonging to Gdinj village. I visited it quite a few times when I was a kid and it was nice to see it again. Like Torac, Soca bay is located on the Southern side of island Hvar. In case anyone is interested in vacationing here, I googled the accommodation for you, here is a link to the house you saw a moment ago. June is already booked, but August still isn't. Smaller bays are a great option if you want to have the beach all for yourself.

MORE POSTS ABOUT ISLAND HVAR

A SUNNY MAY WEEKEND ON ISLAND HVAR 2021

ONE YEAR LIVING ON JELSA ISLAND HVAR 2020

VISIT TO HVAR TOWN HERE!

DO YOU WANT TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF HVAR TOWN? If you want to see more of Hvar town, you are more than welcome to check some of my previous posts about it.

VISITING HVAR CITY AND STYLING WIDE TROUSERS

FASHION ILLUSTRATION FRIDAY: HVAR CITY

VISITING HVAR IN WINTER PART 1

VISITING HVAR TOWN IN WINTER PART 2

 CLIMBING THE FORTRESS IN HVAR CITY

PERFECTLY VALID REASONS FOR VISITING HVAR IN WINTER TIME

HVAR TOWN (SOMETHING OLD, SOMETHING NEW, SOMETHING BLUE)

VISITING FRANCISTIAN MONASTERY

Beautiful bays on island Hvar: 

1. JEDRA, SRHOV DOLAC AND VEPRINOVA

2. SKOZANJE BAY

3. SOCA BAY

4. BAY TORAC

5. BAYS TVRDNI DOLAC AND RAPAK

MORE BEAUTIFUL BAYS ON ISLAND HVAR I HAVE VISITED AND SHARED WITH YOU IN 2019/2020 (Click the links if you want to know more about them):

VISITING BASINA BAY ON ISLAND HVAR

VISITING MILNA NEAR HVAR

VISITING MINA NEAR JELSA

VISITING STARI GRAD BAYS

VISITING BAY MASLINICA NEAR STARI GRAD 

VISITING BAY MALA STINIVA

VISITING PRAPATNA BAY 

VISITING VELA STINIVA

VISITING BEACH SOLINE 

VISITING BEACH KAMENJARA

VISITING BAY LOZNA

 Your visits are often what keeps this blog going.  As always, thank you all so much for reading and commenting. Have a lovely day and take care! I will link up this look with Modish Matrons Linkup.