On the Eastern side of the Adriatic Sea there exists a kingdom. Of ancient palaces and walled cities, pristine islands and medieval towns, Dalmatia – a country where ancient history mingles with sophisticated modern life. More than 1000 islands and islets make up the yachting paradise that is Croatia, just waiting to be explored.
Istria and Northern Dalmatia
Pula
Crammed full of Roman ruins, Pula’s maze of narrow streets, historic architecture, and lively nightlife make it an ideal starting point for your northern Croatian itinerary. Less touristy than its southern counterparts, Pula still packs a punch in terms of history and culture. Meet your yacht at the centrally located ACI marina, just metres away from the well preserved 1st century Roman amphitheatre in the heart of the city. As huge as it is magnificent, the ‘Arena’, as its locally known, is one of the best preserved amphitheatres in the world, and at 133m long, 105m wide and 32m high it’s the sixth largest of its kind. Originally designed to seat up to 20,000 spectators it currently holds 5000, hosting regular concerts and film festivals, and is open daily for tours.
Rovinj
Situated in the Northern most province of Croatia, this ancient city in Istria was part of Italy until 1947, when it became part of Yugoslavia. Following Croatia’s independence in 1991, Rovinj has carved its reputation as a popular tourist destination on the Istrian peninsular. Its romantic atmosphere with brightly coloured houses and maze of cobbled streets coupled with its mix of Croatian/Italian style and cuisine makes it a must visit town that is often quieter than its neighbouring cities.
Islands of Cres and Losinj, and Krik
These pretty islands, lying south of Rovinj and Pula offer perfect anchorages on the cruise south. Discover hidden beaches, beautiful hiking paths and lush green forests. Roman ruins scatter the landscape alongside a rich culture of wine and olive oil production. Spot a Griffon Vulture, a rare and impressive scavenging bird that nests on the cliffs above the sea at Beli on the northern side of Cres.
Zadar
A jewel in the crown of Croatian towns, the beautiful town of Zadar is known for its Roman-laid cobblestone streets within the UNESCO-listed Venetian built city walls. This atmospheric city has an abundance of cultural heritage sites alongside ice cream parlours, vibrant cafes and excellent restaurants.
A great starting point to explore the Kornati islands, Zadar demands at least a few hours of exploration. Browse the fresh offerings at the centrally located market, or shop for souvenirs in the little boutiques that line the narrow streets. For history enthusiasts, the 11th century St Mary’s convent displays religious art dating back to the 8th century, the 12th century St Anastasia’s Cathedral and the round 9th Century pre- Roman church of St Donatus are all visit worthy monuments.
Also famous for its sunsets, Zadar has its own tourist attraction built to interact with the sunset. As the sun goes down over the horizon, the circular ‘Greeting to the Sun’ comes to life. This installation consists of 300 multi layered glass plates with inbuilt solar cells which convert sunlight to energy, producing a daily light show in addition to half of the electricity needed to light Zadar’s waterfront.
Kornati Islands
The 109 islands that make up the Kornati Archipelago stretch for 13km and were designated a national park in 1980. Cruise through the islands, excellent for snorkelling, diving and exploring. Also known as Poseidon’s garden, the area has 9 designated diving zones where you can dive depths to 40m. See the pretty coral reefs, teeming with life, look out for miniature sea horses and scorpion fish or find the octopuses and lobsters hiding in nooks and caves. Whether you are an experienced diver or a snorkelling beginner, these seascapes have something for everyone.
Sibenik and the Krka Waterfalls
Another UNESCO World Heritage site, Sibenik is a beautiful historic town, full of ancient monuments and an ideal base to visit the Krka Waterfalls. A designated national park, consisting of 7 waterfalls, each connected by a lovely circular nature trail that passes the dramatic cascades and takes in the Krka Monastery, a Serbian Orthodox monastery, built upon ancient Roman catacombs. Join the locals and cool off in the secret swimming hole at Roski Slap, before a short taxi ride takes you back to Sibenik.
Primosten
This tiny island, perched atop a hill is often overlooked on the Croatian coast. Connected to the mainland via a narrow causeway, the centrally located 15th Century church of St George’s has spectacular views over the mainland. The old town is a beautiful mix of cobbled streets, marble paths and pretty red roofed houses. Take a stroll on the coastal path that circumnavigates the island – stop for a refreshing swim at the pretty pebble beach at Raduca, often voted in the top ten beaches of Croatia.
Istria and Northern Dalmatia
Split
The beautiful town of Split, with its rich history and stunning architecture is a must stop destination on your central Dalmatian cruise. Step inside the UNESCO protected Diocletian’s Palace and experience one of the worlds most impressive Roman monuments. Discover the numerous bars, cafes, restaurants and boutiques thriving inside the palace walls, and experience Croatia’s second biggest city. First built in the 4th Century, from white stone imported from Brac, the palace construction lasted 10 years. Constantly added to over the years, now over 220 buildings exist within its boundaries. Spend an afternoon or evening exploring the labyrinth of tiny streets, bustling with people and soak up the atmosphere that makes this one of Croatia’s most loved cities.
Trogir
Smaller, quieter yet equally as charming, the medieval town of Trogir is a short sail from Split. With its beautiful waterfront promenade, lined with cafes and restaurants Trogir is a great city to relax and watch the world go by. Take a mooring on the bustling town quay and enjoy the beautiful sunset from the comfort of your yacht, before discovering the knotted maze like marble streets enclosed by the ancient medieval city walls.
Hvar
This picturesque island, a short distance from the mainland is known for its natural beauty and vibrant nightlife. Spend the evening dancing at some of Europe’s top night clubs, and the day relaxing on Dubovica beach – just one of Hvar’s many beautiful pebble beaches. Don’t skip the historic town; the 13th Century cathedral, the ancient city walls and the Spanish fortress overlooking the town are all worth a visit. Explore the charming marble streets and squares, lined with Renaissance and Baroque buildings
Pakleni Islands
These pretty pine tree covered islands are home to peaceful beaches, deserted lagoons, and crystal clear waters. Just opposite Hvar, an overnight anchorage or a berth at the ACI Marina Palmizana allows you to discover the natural beauty of Sveti Klement – the largest of the islands. Hike over the hill to dine ashore at Palmizana Meneghello, a beautiful boutique hotel complex that is home to two restaurants and an art gallery, they often host live music recitals.
Vis
The furthest island off the coast of Croatia, in the last century Vis spent much of its time as a Yugoslav military base, cut off from foreign visitors from the 1950’s until 1989. Its lack of development has become its trump card as a tourist destination. The island is now popular with visiting yachts seeking authenticity, clear waters and great local food. Abba fans will recognise the back drop, as Mamma Mia, here we go again! was filmed here in 2017. Visit Stiniva Beach, considered to be one of the prettiest beaches in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Diving is excellent, clear waters, a plentiful supply of fish, and a number of wrecks, (including a WWII plane), offer great underwater exploration. Vis is becoming a hot foodie destination, check out Roki’s, 8 km south of Vis Town for a fine example of local food cooked for hours under a peka – a metal bell shaped dome that produces succulent, tender meat and fish dishes.
Brac Island
The pretty 17th century fishing village of Milna, is a great base to explore the island of Brac. Home to one of Croatia’s most iconic beaches (its rare to find a tourist guide that doesn’t feature a picture of Zlatni Rat beach) Brac Island is also famous for its radiant white stone used to build Diocletian’s Palace in Split. Its dramatic landscape of steep cliffs, deep blue waters and dense pine forests make the perfect backdrop for your central Dalmatian cruise.
Dubrovnik and Southen Dalmatia
Dubrovnik
This grand city, nestled at the southern tip of the country, is the most prosperous and expensive in Croatia. A must visit city on your Southern Croatian itinerary, visitors never tire of its well preserved historic architecture, stunning scenery and dynamic cultural scene. The city’s car free old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is famed for its baroque buildings, ancient city walls, fortresses, and palaces. The wide marble streets, red-roofed buildings, and picturesque waterfront provide a feast for the eyes. Having been extensively damaged in the Siege of Dubrovnik in 1991, where the city was attacked with more than 2000 shells, causing considerable damage and loss of life, Dubrovnik’s immaculate reparation is testament to the resilience and bravery of its people.
For spectacular vistas, take the cable car or hike up Mt Srd – from the top of this 412m hill, view the remarkable town below. The viewpoint overlooks Dubrovnik and Lokrum, and the Elafiti islands in the sparkling Adriatic sea. It’s easy to see why Game of Thrones chose Dubrovnik as its main filming location.
Ston and Mali Ston
The 14th century walled town of Ston lies at the end of a natural estuary on the Pelješac peninsular. Drop anchor in the large bay by Broce and make the most of its flat, protected waters to explore the water toys on board. Most mornings experience perfect conditions for wake surf and water-skiing, or take a paddle board or kayak and explore the coastline, dotted with coves and inlets, tiny deserted beaches and clear water snorkelling. Wander through the tiny hamlet of Broce, with its pretty restaurants and fresh seafood. This area is famous for its oyster beds, savour the flat oysters of Croatia by the dozen – knowing they were harvested that morning.
In the afternoon take a short tender ride to the village of Ston, to walk its remarkable 5.5km defensive wall that links it to Mali (‘little’) Ston. Nicknamed as the Chinese wall of Europe, these walls and towers have been here since the 14 century. Within its walls, Ston has an atmospheric medieval town centre, well worth exploring. Sample some of the local wines of the region – this area of Croatia is renowned for its vineyards and quality wines. Look out for Dingač and Postup, two of the best wines of Croatia, or take a tour of one of the vineyards that dot the peninsular.
KORCˇULA ISLAND
The island of Korčula, harbouring the glorious gem that is Korčula Town, is the sixth largest Adriatic island. Abundant in vineyards, olive groves and pine forests, this island boasts a rich and complex history. Having changed rule between the French, British, Austro-Hungarians, and Italians since the Napoleonic conquest of 1797, Korčula became part of the first Yugoslavia in 1921.
The well preserved medieval town of Korčula, believed to be the birth place of Marco Polo, is a charming town, full of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, marble streets and narrow lanes, all encompassed by ancient city walls first constructed in the 15th century. The 16th Century saw local stone masons add ornate columns and coats of arms to the building facades, giving a distinctive Renaissance look to the original Gothic style. Spend an afternoon discovering the sites; St Mark’s Cathedral is an impressive example of this architectural period, with its equally impressive Bell Tower that dominates the heart of Korčula town.
Korčula town is known for its delicious cuisine, with its waterfront setting its a great place to sample a traditional Brodet – a Croatian fish stew, cooked with wine and tomatoes often served over polenta.
Mljet
With its beautiful protected bays and forest clad landscapes, Mljet is one of the most captivating islands in the Adriatic. Protected by its National Park status, and with its low population and virtually car free roads, Mljet’s tranquil spots are sill easily discovered. Anchor stern to the rocks in the crystal clear waters by Polače, a small hamlet that serves as a pretty back drop to this calm and peaceful anchorage. Savour local traditional Croatian dishes at one of the laid back restaurants ashore, from the locally made goats cheese, cured hams, and octopus or order ahead to sample a traditional ‘peka’ – a dish of succulent lamb cooked for hours over hot coals under a metal dome.
Take a bicycle or taxi to explore the national park, and visit to the two beautiful salt water lakes of Malo Jezero (little lake) and Veliko Jezaro (big lake). A short boat ride takes you to the island of Sveta Marija to visit the Benedictine Monastery first built in 1198. Cool off with a swim at one of the many coves and nooks that dot the shoreline.
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Brodet. Traditional Croatian Fish Stew
Every town in Croatia has its own version of this fish stew. The secret is to use a mix of fresh fish, and to make a simple fish stock with the bones and heads to create a hearty yet sophisticated tomato based stew.
Brodet. Traditional Croatian Fish Stew
INGREDIENTS
- For the stock
Bones and heads from the fish above
2 tablespoons olive oil
20 g butter
2 banana shallots, thinly sliced
1 leek white part only, thinly sliced
Pinch of saffron
100 ml white wine
- For the stew
1.5 kg of white fish filleted but keep the heads and bones (ask your fishmonger to remove the eyes and the gills) I prefer a combination of red mullet, lion fish, seabass, sea bream, or cod
200 g of live mussels, cleaned
6 raw langoustine or shrimp, head on but bodies peeled
2 banana shallots finely chopped
2 cloves of garlic finely chopped
¼ teaspoon of smoked paprika
3 large plum tomatoes
100 ml white wine
1 lemon
1 bay leaf
Small bunch of fresh parsley
METHOD
- Start by heating the oil and sauté the fish bones for 5 minutes until browning and starting to caramelise. Add the butter till it starts to foam, the add the shallots and leeks and cook until soft, approximately 5 minutes. Add the saffron and cook for a minute or two. Add 100 ml of white wine and allow to evaporate by half.
- Cover the mixture with approximately 750 ml of cold water and gently bring to a simmer, skimming any froth that rises to the top. Continue to simmer for 20 minutes, adding seasoning to taste at the end of cooking. Switch off the heat and add two lemon slices and let the mixture cool for 20 minutes. Strain and set aside. You should have approximately 500 ml of stock.
- Begin skinning the tomatoes. Make a small cross in the end of each tomato and plunge in to boiling water for 60 seconds. Remove and cool slightly before slipping the skins off. Then finely chop the tomatoes keeping the seeds and any juices. Heat the olive oil in a large sauce pan, add the shallots and sauté for 5 minutes until soft but not brown. Add the garlic and allow it to cook for two minutes being careful not to let it brown, add the smoked paprika and stir to combine. Add the chopped tomato mixture and allow to cook for 8-10 minutes until the most of liquid has evaporated and you have a thick tomato shallot base.
- Add 100 ml of white wine and allow to reduce by half. Add a bay leaf and 500 ml of the fish stock.
Allow to cook gently for 15 minutes before adding the mussels and clams and the langoustine or shrimp. Cook for 5 minutes at which point the shell fish should be open and the langoustine/ shrimp cooked through. Stir in 1 tablespoon of fresh parsley, a squeeze of lemon and season to taste. Keep warm. - Meanwhile, season the the fish fillets and lightly dust with flour. Fry skin side down for a couple of minutes, then flip over and cook for another minute before adding them to the tomato/fish broth, warm gently until the fish is cooked through. Serve over a bed of warm polenta or just with a chunk of crusty bread.
YACHTS
Selected yachts that are available for charter in the destination
