Mljet [National parks]

The greenest Adriatic island and National Park situated southwest of Dubrovnik is special for its two lakes Big and Small Lake as well as for unique forests of Mediterranean oak. The main reasons for proclaiming the island a National Park is extraordinary indentedness of coast and lush flora with rich forests. Coming in from the South of the island the sea finds its to the island's inside forming the Big Lake through a barely visible isthmus, and than through an even smaller isthmus the sea water forms the Small Lake. The lakes are salty and rich in various shells (mussels, pen shells, Noah's arcs, oysters), and plankton, which has already been a focus of several scientific studies. You can swim in the open sea or the Big Lake and if you visit the island in spring or fall you will be able to swim in the Small Lake which is always warmer than the Big Lake and the sea. You can enjoy long walks through thick pine forests where you might spot a mungos, an unusual small animal that protects the island from sneaks.