A Croatian sailing adventure

Although Croatia's second largest city, Split is often viewed as a jumping off point for adventures to the islands beyond. The peninsula on which it rests might jut out invitingly into the Adriatic, but visit vibrant Split today and it won't take you long to realise that it's very much a destination in its own right.

Travel to the picturesque Skradin and the Krka Waterfalls National Park. On its green path, River Krka has seven falls, the last one being the amazing Skradinski buk. Thanks to the constant process of travertine building, the Krka River is a karst phenomenon, carving a spectacular canyon along its 70-kilometre journey from the foothills of the Dinara Mountains to the beautiful estuary under the walls of historic Sibenik. Walk the winding wooden paths through the main park area and visit the Ethno Museum and shops housed in the old mills at Skradinski buk.

The charming town of Trogir is connected to the mainland by a bridge and is filled with Greek, Roman and Venetian history. Visit the St. Lawrence cathedral, the Palace of Cipico, home to one of Trogir’s most prominent families, and the Tower of Kamerlengo, which served as the Venetian governor’s palace. As you wander through its pretty streets, you'll discover the masterpieces of local sculptors who participated in creating the magnificent visual history of this town.

Meet your chauffeur for a private transfer to Marina Split where you will embark your sailing boat. You sail out from Split towards the island Hvar. Blessed with 2724 hours of sunshine every year, the lavender island of Hvar is called ‘Croatian Madeira’. As the oldest town in all of Croatia and a former Greek colony, Stari Grad is still one of the most charming towns on the Croatian coast. Originally called Faros, it was once the capital of Hvar and is the oldest town in Croatia. The ancient pedestrian town, with a postcard scene around every corner, leads you to the town's premier cultural attraction, the impressive Tvrdalj fortress, home of the legendary poet Petar Hektorovic, complete with fishpond and stone inscriptions in Croatian and Latin.

Leave Stari Grad in the morning and sail towards the island of Vis, an island with unique cultural and historical heritage, crystal clear sea; beautiful, secluded beaches, and many small coves and isles will leave you breathless. You arrive during the afternoon into Vis town and spend the night there or continue sailing to Komiža on the west of Vis, famous for its fisherman and wines.

After a morning coffee in Vis or Komiža, sail toward a small island of Biševo. At just 5.8 km² with a population of under 20 people, the island has several caves, the most famous being the Blue Cave, which is accessible only by boat. From around 10 am to 1pm, sunbeams penetrate through the submarine opening illuminate the caves waters.

Continue sailing toward the Pakleni Archipelago islands. These islands are located off the southwest coast of the island of Hvar, opposite the entrance to the Hvar town. Anchor on one of the bays or ACI Marina in Palmižana and enjoy the day in swimming and snorkelling in the clear blue Adriatic Sea or take a short sail and reach Hvar town. A storybook bay filled with gleaming yachts, sailing gullets and simple working skiffs, all crowned with a cliff top Venetian fortress surrounded by lush pines. Spend the night here or return to the Pakleni Archipelago.

Today sail toward the island of Korcula. After stopping in beautiful bays for a swim, you will arrive on this magical island. The island of Korcula belongs to the central Dalmatian archipelago, separated from the Pelješac peninsula by a narrow strait of Pelješac. It is the sixth largest Adriatic island and second most populated island in Croatia. Korcula town is famous for its medieval walls and architecture influenced by Venetian Renaissance. A place well worth seeing is the splendid St Mark’s Cathedral built in the Gothic-Renaissance style, completed in 15th century.

Sail out towards Dubrovnik and disembark by 11AM.

Glimmering on the Adriatic coast, enchanting Dubrovnik is Croatia’s most up-market destination. Lauded by George Bernard Shaw as “Paradise on Earth", the city delights with its Mediterranean-style culture and the marbled streets of its UNESCO World Heritage old town.

Meet your guide for a pleasant walk through Dubrovnik's Old Town. George Bernard Shaw was so enchanted by this beautiful city that he exclaimed "those who seek paradise on Earth should come to Dubrovnik", as well as famously describing it as "the pearl of the Adriatic". Dubrovnik's Old Town became a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, and a magnificent curtain of walls surrounds marble streets and baroque buildings that exude a pearly light in the Adriatic sun. The main pedestrian thoroughfare, Placa, is a mélange of cafés and shops with outstanding monuments at either end. Churches, monasteries, and museums ornamented with finely carved stone recall an eventful history and a vibrant artistic tradition.

Today you will visit the picturesque Konavle Valley. Your excursion starts in the village of Gruda in Konavle and from here the trail takes you through orchards, corn fields, vineyards, blueberry fields and across the Ljuta and Konavochica rivers. Stop along the way to acquaint yourself with the historical and natural characteristics of the Konavle region, visiting the Franciscan monastery and old mills in Ljuta village. What makes Konavle so intriguing is how its folk traditions and way of life have remained so intact. You will also enjoy a traditional 'peka' lunch cooked in a pot in the embers of a fire.

Meet your private chauffeur and enjoy a morning coastal drive down to Kotor and the amazing Boka Bay in Montenegro. The Bay of Boka Kotorska has been proclaimed by UNESCO as one of the most beautiful bays in the world. With high mountains extending into the sea, the bay features a blend of prehistoric fossils, Illyric epoch, Antique, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque features. Like pearls, the small towns are treasures of history, art and beauty strung along the coastline, with Kotor as an old coastal and cultural centre. For centuries, it has been a crossroad of commercial itineraries under the strong influence of Venice. There are two islets around Perast: Gospa od Skrpjela (Lady of our Rocks) and St. George, two unique tourist attractions. Explore Kotor with a local guide, visit the Our Lady of the Rocks Isle and enjoy lunch (on your own account) before returning to Dubrovnik in the afternoon hours.