Sail Croatia - Dubrovnik to Primosten

Visiting: Croatia

Sail Croatia - Dubrovnik to Primosten

Experience the old world charm of Split

Experience the old-world charm of Croatia on a sailing odyssey through this surprising part of Europe. Spend days cruising around impressive coastlines, exploring lush national parks, wandering through medieval towns or rolling off the boat into warm, turquoise waters to swim. Contrast this emergence into Croatia's natural beauty with regular doses of the unique culture and tastes of the lively restaurant and bar scene, indulging in fresh seafood and regional wines while looking onto stunning coastal vistas.

Your adventure begins on with a group meeting at 4pm on Day 1.

The undisputed jewel of the Dalmatian Coast, Dubrovnik is a beautiful white stone town surrounded entirely by city walls. Although it experienced devastation during the war in the early 1990s, the old town - with its tiled roofs and stone buildings - remains as charming as ever. Extensive restoration has taken place to return it to its original splendour, and even today repairs are still being undertaken. With the sparkling water of the Adriatic in the background, Dubrovnik is picturesque, full of character and can easily be covered on foot.

After dinner, embark on an overnight sail.

Accommodation

Overnight boat (1 nt)

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Ston is tucked up on the isthmus that joins the mainland and the Peljesac Peninsula. Built as a fortified barrier to the then city-state of Dubrovnik, Ston has a long history as an important salt-producing town. To protect the salt flats it serviced, a 5.5 km-long stone wall was built in the 14th century, the longest fortification in Europe. The wall circles Ston before rising up the hill to the Pozvizd Fortress, and is punctuated by ten round and thirty rectangular towers. North of Ston, and connected by the wall, lies Mali Ston, constructed as a defensive town with impressive round towers, arsenals and a fortified port gate. Wander the narrow streets, built to confuse invaders, and admire the medieval town centre.

While Ston and Mali Ston continue to be some of the most important salt-producing towns in the country, they are also famous for their seafood, particularly the oysters that arrive fresh from the Ston Channel.

Once we leave Ston, we leave the mainland shores and and sail the open waters of the Adriatic to Mljet (approx 3 hrs).

Legendary in ancient history as the idyllic island where the shipwrecked Odysseus lived for seven years, today the island is a haven of lush national park, forests and small villages. Since Greek sailors sought haven here from storms, filling up on fresh water from the springs, the island has been inhabited by Illyrians, Romans, Slavs and Avars. In the 13th century the island was given to the Benedictine order, who built a monastery in the middle of one of the island's western lakes, Veliko Jezero. In 1410, Mljet was formally annexed to Dubrovnik.

The fields and vineyards that dot the island are the foundation of the local economy, with Mljet's villagers producing wine and olive oil as they have been for hundreds of years.

Explore karst valleys and catch your reflection in inky blue lakes on a guided tour through the national park. Wander beneath cool pine forests, through chasms and gorges, and discover ruins such as the remains of an Illyrian fortification, a Roman palace and a 5th-century church.

Accommodation

Overnight boat (1 nt)

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The journey to Korcula is approx 6 hrs.

Natives of Korcula believe Marco Polo was born on the island. Whether or not this can be proved (the Venetians have a similar claim), Korcula is steeped in a long history and the islanders are proud owners of this little gem, smaller than Dubrovnik but no less precious to its inhabitants. Greeks settled in the 6th century BC (they called the island Black Korcula), but the town was occupied by the Romans, the Slavs and then the longest period of rule passed to the Venetians between 1420 and 1797. Even Napoleon was ruler for a while. As a result of all these influences, Korcula has a stunning Old Town - romantic and evocative. And what's more, there are plenty of warm beaches to relax upon if that's more your speed.

Accommodation

Overnight boat (1 nt)

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The journey to Ploce is beautiful - it takes around 5 hours and follows a narrow sea channel before sailing out again to the Adriatic, skirting the pebble beaches, black pine groves and rocky cliffs of Peljesac Peninsula.

Ploce's strategic placement on the edge of the Neretva River delta, at the terminus for major rail lines, makes it an important Croatian port and also the main sea port for Croatia's almost-landlocked neighbouring country, Bosnia and Herzegovina. Moor in the large central harbour and prepare for an inland odyssey.

The Neretva River delta is well worth exploring, a rich wetland area spilling out from Bosnia and Herzegovina across Croatia to the Adriatic Sea. Parts of the valley were reclaimed for agriculture in the 19th century, and large-scale tangerine cultivation gave it the nickname 'Croatian California'. Overlooked by karst and imposing coastal mountain ranges, the remaining marshes, lagoons and lakes of the delta are home to over 300 bird species, and 34 freshwater and 100 marine fish species.

Accommodation

Overnight boat (1 nt)

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The journey to Hvar takes us along the Neretvanski Channel away from mainland Central Dalmatia (approx 5 hrs). On arrival we settle in for an afternoon of beach-hopping, enjoying seafood fresh from the day's catch and kicking back with cocktails on the waterfront.

Hvar has an air of Venice about it, and is known as the 'Queen of the Dalmatian Islands'. Wander around towns with wonderfully preserved Renaissance facades, hike past dramatic jagged limestone cliffs and slow your pace to enjoy the undulating farms, ancient olive groves and fields of rosemary and lavender.

Accommodation

Overnight boat (1 nt)

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The sail to Brac takes approx 5 hrs.

Sunny Brac is the largest island in central Dalmatia, set among steep cliffs and a distinctly Mediterranean landscape. Villagers have farmed wine, olive oil, figs and almonds in the difficult interior of this rock-strewn island for centuries, but it's the small, beach-side towns that draw the crowds. Brac's most famous export is the gleaming white stone mined from the island's quarries, cladding buildings as deep in antiquity as Diocletian's Palace in Split, and as far afield as the White House in Washington DC.

Take a leisurely cruise along the the coast of Brac, soaking up the sunshine and the scenery. Weigh anchor and go for a paddle in the aquamarine sea, or snorkel and spot sea anemones, crabs, sea urchins and small fish in the pristine waters.

Amble through the pretty Old Town of Bol, and dine out overlooking the harbour. Or head towards the island's star attraction, Zlatni Rat, a smooth, white pebble beach reaching out into the sea and a standout among Croatia's many famous beaches.

Accommodation

Overnight boat (1 nt)

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The journey from Brac approaches Split from its best side - framed by towering coastal mountains and the blue of the Adriatic.

If Dubrovnik is considered the heart of Dalmatia, Split is certainly its soul. Situated on a small peninsula on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea, it's the second largest city in Croatia.

Explore the impressive ruins of Diocletian's Palace - Split's most imposing structure and indeed some of the most interesting ruins on the Adriatic coast. Diocletian (245-313 AD) was a Roman Emperor infamous for his cruel treatment of Christians in the 3rd century. He chose the peninsula at Split to build this huge palace for his retirement, near to the Roman settlement of Salona (Solin), the ruins of which can still be seen today.

Having explored Split we head back to sea and take the westward path to Trogir through the sheltered Kastela Gulf, passing the town of Kastela with its grand fortified castles to the north, and Ciovo Island to the south (approx 5 hrs total day's sailing time).

A walled, island-city tucked beneath high mainland hills and the island of Ciovo, Trogir boasts a proud medieval history. Walk in the steps of Renaissance lords and monks as you wind past grand buildings, such as the Cathedral of St Lovro, the 15th-century town hall, the Cipiko Palace and the Kamerlengo Fortress. Take your evening repast along the wide promenade that overlooks the water.

Accommodation

Overnight boat (1 nt)

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The journey to Primosten follows the promontories and curving bays of the peninsula (approx 2 hrs).

Your journey ends at approximately 10am, after a last breakfast aboard the yacht. If you are planning to depart today please do not book a flight earlier than 3pm in case our arrival is delayed due to weather conditions.

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Key: (B) = Breakfast, (L) = Lunch, (D) = Dinner