Croatia: Sailing the Dalmatian Coast to Dubrovnik

Over 1,000 sparsely populated islands off the Dalmatian coast form one of the most beautiful archipelagos in the world, a boating paradise of turquoise waters, safe harbours with an appealing heritage of Venetian architecture, a strongly Italian influenced cuisine and wine-making tradition and scenic national parks and Roman archaeological sites to visit ashore.

Since 1995, when Croatia won a bitterly fought war for national independence, peace has returned and gradually visitors are rediscovering the charms of this region.

We have chartered a fully crewed and equipped yacht for our explorations - 30 m/100 ft. overall, with 6 double/twin cabins for guests, all with modern en suite facilities. There are plenty of opportunities to swim in quiet coves and explore ashore on foot each day and a particular highlight will be a visit to the splendid walled mediaeval city of Dubrovnik.

TRIP ITINERARY

DAY 1

D included

After meeting at Dubrovnik airport in the early afternoon, a short road transfer along the coast brings us to Trsteno where we visit the fine Renaissance gardens. Continuing to Mali Ston, we walk a restored section of the 15C walls and then settle into our hotel, a recently converted 16C Venetian mansion on the waterfront, before enjoying our first dinner of freshly grilled fish accompanied by a crisp Istrian white wine.

DAY 2

B, L, D included

Travelling the ‘magistrala’, the former Roman coastal road north, we arrive in Split and stroll, as Roman dignitaries once did, on the Riva, the waterfront before the Emperor Diocletian's magnificent 3C Palace. We explore the archaeological complex and the cathedral (an extraordinary 7C conversion of the imperial mausoleum) before boarding our yacht and meeting the captain and crew. We set sail for the island of Brac, pausing to swim from the boat en route, then moor and go for a stroll in the unspoilt, picturesque 17C fishing village of Milna (once capital of a Russian protectorate during the Napoleonic wars).

DAY 3

B, L, D included

After a leisurely start and breakfast on deck we sail around the northern coast of Brac (famed for its lustrous white limestone which was used to build both Liverpool Cathedral and Washington’s White House), then swim, sunbathe and enjoy the endlessly changing views of islands and mountains en route for the mountainous island of Vis, which was used as a base for co-ordinating partisan operations during WWII and remained off-limits for visitors until 1989. We dine ashore in the fishing village of Komiža, accompanying our meal with local wines such as the powerful, spicy, red ‘Plavac Mali’.

DAY 4

B, L, D included

On the nearby small islet of Biševo we use the ship’s tender to visit the well-known Blue Grotto before sailing south to the island of Hvar, mooring to swim from a sandy beach and walk through stone pines on a small island en route. We go ashore to join fashionable Croatians in the Korzo (evening promenade) along the palm tree-lined harbour before a lobster dinner in an excellent local restaurant.

DAY 5

B, L, D included

We spend the morning wandering through Hvar, discovering the 17C Venetian Arsenal which was converted into one of Europe’s earliest theatres in 1612, the many churches and monasteries and the excellent views from the hilltop Citadel. Setting sail by lunchtime, we travel along the coast of the island of Korcula, with its fields of lavender and olive and fig trees. We moor in the harbour beside Korcula’s defensive walls, built by the Venetians over almost eight centuries - one of their most famous subjects, Marco Polo, was allegedly born here. Balkan specialities feature at dinner - pršut (prosciutto), spicy lamb stew with aubergines and peppers and walnut and honey cakes.

DAY 6

B, L, D included

We spend the morning ashore, exploring Korcula. The compact historic town is a delight, full of architectural treasures, an excellent art collection (including works by Tiepolo, Carpaccio, Tintoretto and Bassano), the beautiful 13C Cathedral of St. Mark, and many outdoor cafes for a glass of wine or ‘an ice cream with a view’. Sailing south, we reach the island of Mljet, where St. Paul once ran aground and where many of Dubrovnik’s admirals built summer houses. We spend the afternoon walking in the forested national park (mainly Aleppo and stone pines), seeing swathes of cyclamens in olive groves.

DAY 7

B, L, D included

Sailing from Mljet island after breakfast, we enter the dramatic channel of Ston, framed by steep karst mountains and moor beside a rustic tavern, accessible only by sea. A 2 hour walk through the hills ashore gives us good appetites for lunch - freshly caught fish grilled on charcoal, accompanied by jugs of wine from the vineyards behind the tavern. Continuing south, our destination is Šipan, largest of the inhabited Elaphite islands, where we go ashore for a stroll to see the ruined 15C mansions of the Dubrovnik aristocracy.

DAY 8

B, L, D included

We moor in a quiet cove off the island of Lopud for a final opportunity to swim or snorkel and then have lunch on deck. Approaching Dubrovnik, we pass beneath the splendid new Dubrovnik suspension bridge to moor in the marina. In the early evening taxis take us into Dubrovnik, for centuries a great trading Republic and major centre for the arts and science, and now a beautifully restored mediaeval city. We take an introductory stroll along the 12C Stradun and have time to visit the Cathedral and the richly embellished Baroque church of St Blaise, the city's patron, before dinner.

DAY 9

B, L included

Bidding farewell to the ship’s crew, we disembark early morning and return to Dubrovnik, first circumnavigating the splendid walls on foot, then dispersing through the polished white marble streets for individual explorations. Highlights include the 15C Rector's Palace, the Maritime Museum, the superb manuscript collection in the Sponza Palace and the Dominican monastery with its orange and palm tree-filled Renaissance cloisters. After a final lunch overlooking the sea we transfer to the nearby airport for flights home.

Itinerary

The published itinerary is subject to alteration if weather and sea conditions make it necessary. The captain’s decision as to the most appropriate routing for the safety (and comfort) of the yacht, guests and crew is at all times definitive.

Please note that most of the time the boat is under motor rather than sail and this is not a sailing trip as such, rather a way to visit various islands in style, on a private yacht.

Price includes:

All accommodation for Days 1 through 9, on a twin shared basis

All meals with wine at lunches and dinners, other than those excepted in the daily notation

All land and sea transportation as described except during free periods

All entrance and sightseeing fees except during free periods

Services of yacht skipper, crew, engineer and chef

Gratuities for boat, restaurant and hotel staff

Visa and Health Requirements

Visitors from the EU and the US currently require a valid passport, but not a visa, for entry to Croatia. If you are a national of any other country, please check visa regulations with your nearest Embassy of Croatia.

At present there are no specific and compulsory health requirements for entry to Croatia but we recommend that you also check the advice given to travellers by the Department of Health and the FCO.

Insurance

It is essential, and a condition of booking, that you protect yourself with a suitable travel insurance policy as soon as you book a trip. Follow this link for information on a policy available to UK residents.

If you are already insured or a non-UK resident, please inform us of your policy at the time of booking.