Croatia Travel Blog

Sibenik is near the world-class sailing destination of the Kornati Islands National Park and now the Sibenik marina will get the facilities it deserves. Mandalina marina is under new management and big plans are afoot. Island Global Yachting, a Florida-based developer of luxury marinas and yachting lifestyle destinations, and Nautical Center Prgin, a Croatian marine industry company, have announced a joint venture to develop Croatia’s first dedicated megayacht marina at Mandalina. It will represent the largest US investment in Croatia.

This vast project represents an investment of around 100 million Euros and will include a five-star hotel, expanded recreational facilities and residential villas plus the marina capable of berthing 100m-long yachts.

Much should be completed in time for the 2009 season but megayachts will have to wait until 2010 for the big berths to be ready.

Posted under Sailing & Sibenik & Yachting | No Comments »

This week The Independent ran an interesting article with an unusual angle on sailing in Croatia.  Titled
“Woman overboard: A Croatian sailing holiday provides a horticultural treat”, the article describes not a sea tragedy but the author’s sailing adventure through Croatia’s northern islands including the Kornati Islands, Croatia’s premier sailing destination. These unique islands, part of the Kornati Islands National Park, feel “as if you are looking at the earth’s skeleton, not yet fully fleshed out” notes author Anna Pavord. She goes on to describe the greenery (such as it is) there and on other Croatian islands in a particularly evocative way. It’s not often that you see a sailing Croatia article in the Home and Garden section. See the article here.

Posted under Adventure & Articles & Croatia Islands & Sailing | No Comments »

This week’s Telegraph, had a magnificent spread on travel to Croatia with sections devoted to where to stay, activites, and holiday planning. After wading through all the pages, I can say that their listings were certainly comprehensive; every single tour operator in the UK with a Croatia program this year appears to have been mentioned.

Missing was any mention of small, local operators that offer specialized knowledge at a reasonable price.  Hvar Adventure is one of the more intriguing of the local agencies. The young group– Dean, Riccardo, Veselka, Damir and Josko–is based on Hvar Island and have eons of experience in hiking, trekking and sailing. From guided treks across Hvar’s lavender-scented interior to romantic sunset cruises, Hvar Adventure can help you experience the real Hvar Island, away from the well-beaten tourist track. Here’s a sampling of their 2008 program:

• one week sailing school

• two days, one day, half-day or sunset sailing cruises

• Sea kayaking excursions from a half-day to a week

• Hikes from one-day to a week

• evening wine-tasting tour

• a multi-activity week

• a five-day short break with sailing, kayaking and hiking

Reliable, responsible and dynamic, Hvar Adventure can create an unforgettable holiday in Hvar.

Read more on Croatia Traveller’s Hvar Adventure page or go directly to the Hvar Adventure website.

Posted under Adventure & Croatia Travel & Hvar Island & Sailing & Travel & Tours | 1 Comment »

It’s that time of year when you start dreaming about drifting from island to island, being governed by nothing but the prevailing winds and your own whims. Well, the Croatian Islands are there to satisfy your every nautical fantasy. No matter your level of experience and/or energy level, there’s a way for you to sail the Croatian coast.

Let’s say you don’t know tack from tick. Let somebody else do the work! You can take a surprisingly affordable gulet cruise holiday in Croatia that allows you to island hop, bike, hike or relax at sea with a congenial group. Lasting from seven days to two weeks, you can embark from Rijeka, Zadar, Trogir or Dubrovnik. Read more.

For more flexibility, consider yacht or sailboat charter in Croatia. For experienced old salts, you can do a “bareboat charter” choosing from among 140 companies specialized in Croatia yacht charters. Otherwise, there’s the skippered boat option which puts you in the hands of an experienced local to guide you through the Adriatic waters. Read more.

Where to go for the best sailing in Croatia? Read these accounts of Croatia sailing:

• All at Sea on Croatia’s Coast from the Belfast Telegraph recounts a luxury sailing holiday that covers the Kornati Islands and Krka Waterfalls National Park.
  
• Plain Sailing around Croatia from the Times Online gives a vivid description of bouncing around the southern Dalmatian islands on a yacht.

See more about Sailing Croatia and Practical Sailing Tips on Croatia’s winds, waves and sailing seasons.

Posted under Articles & Croatia Cruises & Croatia Travel & Sailing | No Comments »