While life elsewhere is being squandered on our smartphones, commuting to and from work and discussing debt problems and the dull grey weather, Croatia still retains elements from its roots. You can hear people discussing the catch of the day in Dubrovnik, or the quality of the grapes harvested that year in Vis. More and more people are opting for a yacht charter in Croatia to seek out what many of us have lost on our journey towards “progress” – a taste of a simpler life.
We have put together a 7-day itinerary which best encapsulates all that is Croatia, from luscious beaches to mysterious islands riddled with ruins.
Split
source: roo.ie
We start our yachting trip in the fortress town of Split. Dominating the landscape is a palace built in the 4th century by Roman emperor Diocletian. Inside the atmospheric walls, the palace comes alive with boutique cafes and restaurants, bringing the old palace to life. As the turquoise waters of the Adriatic melt away into the rich buildings and mountainous range of the Dinaric Alps, enjoy the unique sights of your first stop in Croatia. But don’t let excitement run away with you – there’s more yet to come.
Hvar
source: erasmusu.com
With a vibe reminiscent of the French Riviera, don’t be fooled by Hvar’s façade. The hilltop fortress and Renaissance cathedral will give way to a quasi-virgin island, sweetly scented by lavender fields. Chartering a yacht here means you can also make your way to the Pakleni islands where you can spend a blissful afternoon in its secluded beaches, well away from the crowds.
Korčula
source: www.dubrovnikcroatia.info
Onwards to Korčula island, a place blessed by fertile soils which yield the best white grapes in the country – the pošip – as well as olive groves. The island is the sixth largest in the Adriatic with two types of typography – the flat northern coast and the steep south. Bask in the island’s rich Croatian tradition while sipping on world-famous white-wine as you cruise along Korčula
Brac
source: blog.charmeholidays.com
Brac is perhaps best defined by its postcard-material beach, the Zlatni Rat, a tongue of sand jutting out on the deep aquamarine blue of the Adriatic. It’s an ideal location if you enjoy surfing and kite-surfing but if you’d rather chill on your chartered yacht, the island makes for the perfect selfie backdrop.
Vis
source: www.vis-accommodation.com
This island off the Dalmatian coast of Croatia is somehow still enveloped in mystery: having been cut-off from the public to serve as a military base until 1989, Vis promises to hold you enthralled for the whole trip. For the history buffs, the mainland is well worth a visit for the numerous ancient Greek and Roman ruins, very well conserved to this day.
Mljet
source: www.dubrovnikcroatia.info
Mljet is the most southerly and easterly of the larger Adriatic islands. According to legend, Mljet was home to Odysseus for 7 years – and we know why. Lush forests give way to fields and small villages in this dreamy island, one of the most scenic of all islands in the region. The two lakes found in its national park (Malo and Veliko) are the cherry on the proverbial cake, adding further intrigue and beauty to this slice of paradise off the coast of Croatia.
Dubrovnik
source:pixabay.com/users/john_ioannidis
Our last stop, Dubrovnik, needs no introduction. Its red-topped houses and massive stonewalls, so familiar to Game of Thrones fans, set the city aflame with beauty and life. It feels, for the most part, as if time stood still, and you’d be forgiven to think you had fallen under some sort of spell. The narrow lanes are bursting with vigour, seeping right through the ancient walls. Exhaust yourself in the city, then take a dip in the beautiful seas at Dubrovnik’s door.
If you too wish to be part of this picturesque trip, talk to us about the possibility of taking a yacht charter in Croatia. Let the soothing Adriatic sea melt away the aches of your routine and give way to the temptations Croatia has to offer.
