Mljet is claimed to be one of the most beautiful islands in the Mediterranean – in a sea full of beautiful islands. It is a thickly forested getaway destination with a small population and relatively few facilities.

The most spectacular thing about Mljet are the saltwater lakes created when a huge limestone cavern collapsed, allowing the sea to enter through a narrow tidal waterway and flood a large part of the northern end of the island. Now these lakes are surrounded by steep wooded hills, originally the walls of the cavern.

In the larger lake is an islet on which was built a Benedictine monastery, now converted into a hotel. It is here where the love scene and part of the action leading to the climax of Dancing with Spies takes place. It is hard to imagine a more romantic location.

Mljet’s ancient history claims Odysseus encountered the Nymph Calypso here and St Paul is supposed to have visited the island (then called Melita) and rid the place of venomous creatures.

For modern travellers the romance and secret peace of the island is all that one can ask for.