Croatia Yachting Adventure

*Please note that the following information is meant to provide a general overview of your tour. The specifics of your trip will be contained in a pre-trip letter you will receive prior to your confirmed departure.

Important Trip Details: 

MEETING PLACE: Split City Center Hotel lobby
MEETING TIME: 10:00 am
TRIP MILES: Varies depending on group size, ship vessel, and weather
RETURN TIME:  3:30 pm 
TRIP LENGTH: 9 days
AGE LIMIT: Minimum age is 12
NEAREST AIRPORTS: Split/Resnik Airport (SPU)

Croatia Yachting Adventure Itinerary

Day 1: Welcome to Croatia!

Upon arrival in Split, one of Croatia's many historic, beautiful cities, check into your hotel and possibly set out to explore the city's many sites. 

• Accommodations: Split City Center Hotel
• Meals Included: None

Day 2: Split to Brač

After breakfast, we begin our day with a walking tour down to Split's lively port brocaded with ancient architecture. Croatia--set at the edge of empires--embodies the cultures and aesthetics of many world powers, and you can trace the country's motley history in each of its unique monuments. 

Roman Emperor Diocletian's Palace is the pinnacle of our tour. Gaze upon it's extensive colonnaded square and bustling arterial streets where modern businesses meet ancient Roman ruins. Diocletian's palace demonstrates Croatia's hybridized culture with its Egypiant pink granite columns topped with Corinthian capitals, it's black sphinxes standing sentinal and the somber, sacramental aesthetic of the Baptisery of St. John. Enjoy Split's intoxicating flavor throughout the morning.  We will have lunch at a traditional Croatian restaurant in the old town before heading to the yacht

By mid-afternoon we board our yacht waiting in the harbor and relax with a drink and some snacks. Settle into your cabin and take in the views as we sail to the Island of Brač (weather permitting), where we dock nearby the Pučišća harbor. If poor weather doesn't permit our afternoon travels, we remain in Split for the evening before setting out early the next morning. 

Wherever we harbor, tonight you indulge in your first Croatian culinary experience. You might be treated to pašticada, a beef pot roast--a traditional Dalmatian festival dish. Or taste the Dalmatian's answer to crepes, the palačinke, whose diverse yet always deliciously sweet filling are the ideal end to the meal. 

• Accommodations: Romanca Yacht or other small ship
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 3: Brač, Splitska, and Hvar

On today's adventure menu is Brač, the Adriatic's third largest island whose cragged karst limestone cliffs are well-known throughout the world. As we tour the town of Pučišća and its stone cutting school, you learn more about the white marble quarries and the remarkable structures they have helped create. After, take in the town itself--a work of art in its own right with its white-roofed, Baroque buildings lining the hills.

Later, sail on our yacht to Splitska, where we debark for a hike through verdant vineyards and olive groves--two of Croatia's most famed products. Our walk takes us to Skrip, an ancient city still bearing remnants of early Illyrian, Roman and Croatian cultures. Visit the Native Museum of the Island of Brač's and view the relics and artifacts that remain from cultures long ago. 

Once we leave the museum, sit down for a fresh Croatian lunch with one of the locals and see what other sights Skrip has to offer. The island is blessed with olive oil, almonds, grapes and sour cherries--all perfect to taste as you sit in the sun. After lunch, you continue our exploration of Brač with a drive to Vidova Gora, the Croatian Island's highest peak. Take in the panoramic views before setting off on a brief hike to Pustinja Blaca, a monastery tucked away into the mountains. Founded by Glagolitic monks hiking from the Turks in the 16th century, the Blaca hermitage incorporates the original cave the two monks sought refuge in. After our tour, continue hiking the pine forests toward the cerulean coasts. Take a dip before we set sail to Hvar's Vrboska. 

We dine on board tonight, and our excellent chefs give you a true taste of Croatia and it's collage of cultures. You may have black risotto, or crni rižot, which speaks to Croatia's Italian heritage. Conclude your meal with another traditiaon Croatian desert such as fresh figs served with lemon juice. After dinner, you may choose to find your way to shore for some local wine tasting or stay on board for some stargazing. 

• Accommodations: Romanca Yacht or other small ship
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 4: Vrboska to Stari Grad and Hvar Town

Today you explore Vrboska, or "little Venice," whose arching bridges and winding canal are reminicent of its Italian namesake. Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architectural styles can be traced in its houses and historic churches, and the 16th century fortress-church of St. Mary of Mercy stands as a formidable reminder of the Croatian's past attempts to defend against Turkish invasion. 

Though Vrboska breathes of Venice, it's also very much a fishingtown--a heritage you experience with a tour of the Museum of the Sardine Fisherman. Learn about the deep ties between Croatia and the sea--and the origin of Starkist Tuna Company--before heading to Hvar's countryside. As we ramble through the fields of lavendar dotted with olive groves and vineyards, you'll understand why many know Hvar as the Queen of the Croatian islands. Our walk takes us to Stari Grad, where our yacht awaits. 

Once there, we visit the summer home of Petar Hektorović, one of Croatia's poets, in Tvrdalj. The fortress bears the poet's favorite quotes as well as a picturesque courtyard and fish pool. After, visit a museum housed within a monastery, wander the piazza, and gaze up at the Illyrian Cyclopean Walls. We return to the yacht for lunch, after which we may choose to anchor in the city's port or anchor farther away in a secluded cove. If we stay in town, experience Hvar town's night life after another dinner of Croatian delicacies. 

• Accommodations: Romanca Yacht or other small ship
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 5: Hvar to Vis

Though Stari Grad may be the city of colors, Hvar Town is the Adriatic's crown jewel. Rise early and enjoy the local market and the town's stimulating vibe. You may also choose to walk up to the Genoese Fortress that sits high above the town, the theater, Franciscan monastery and the cathedral. You also have the option of a hike passing through the Velo Grablje valley and down to coast off Milna. 

Rejoin with the group this afternoon and enjoy some lunch as we sail to Vis. If weather permits, we cross the chanel and anchor in Komiza or Vis. Vis, an outlying island, is actually as close to Italy as it is to Croatia--a distance that has allowed it to define its own unique style. Taste the savory bread Komiška pogača, sometimes known as Komiža flat cake, in Vis. If we stop in Komiza, you may have the opportunity to taste some raki, a local homebrew brewed from carob pods. 

• Accommodations: Romanca Yacht or other small ship
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 6: Vis

This morning we either finish our travels to Vis or set out to explore. If the weather is nice, visit the glowing blue waters of Biševo’s Blue Grotto--a partially immersed cave whose waters reflect a vivid aquamarine. After our stop at the grotto, hike through the maquis shrubs and pine trees that dot the island on our way to a picturesque cove where our yacht awaits. 

This afternoon, explore more of Vis' intriguing and enigmenatic history. Closed to tourism until 1989, Vis retains submarine depots and military tunnels alongside its vineyards. We stop for some wine tasting before visiting Mount Hum's cave systems, where Nazi-resistance leader Joseph Tito sought shelter, and the coves where submarines were concealed during the Cold War. 

Our evening brings us to port either in Vis or Komiza. Enjoy the evening as you wish as both towns offer plenty to explore and excite. You can create your own culinary adventure--let your taste buds lead you where they may. 

• Accommodations: Romanca Yacht or other small ship
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 7: Korčula

Our day begins early as we travel about 5-6 hours to the island of Korcula. Known for its olive oil, white wine known as Grk and ship building, Korcula has plenty to offer beyond its stunning medieval walls.  Marco Polo was said to be born here amongst the stone churches and palaces. Take in the sights and rich history on our walking tour before we stop by the Cukarin, a delicious bakery owned by the talented Mrs. Smiljana. Taste her mouthwatering wares before heading back to the yacht. Take a dip before we sit down to more culinary treats. If the day allows, we may have time to visit one of Korcula's best wineries for a private tour. We also plan to invite some friends on board to treat us to "klapa," an a cappella singing style performed by 4-6 men. It's a culturally rich, personal treat for this tour. 

• Accommodations: Romanca Yacht or other small ship
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 8: Korčula and Pelješac Peninsula

After breakfast, we sail to the Pelješac Peninsula, Dalmatia's largest peninsula. It's sparsely populated and largely houses vineyards, olive groves, fruit orchards and macchia. Set off on a 5-mile walk along the peninsula, starting from the botanically-bent village of Viganj and heading toward Orebič. Take in the pine groves and pomegranate trees as you walk, then relax on one of Orebič's famed beaches with Mt Ilija standing in the background. We may stop by a maritime museum on the way as well. Once we've finished our walk, return to the yacht and sail to the tip of Pelješac. Anchor and indulge in a festive, farewell dinner on board!

• Accommodations: Romanca Yacht or other small ship
• Meals Included: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner

Day 9: Pelješac Peninsula, Ston, Dubrovnik

Rise for our final maritime breakfast before saying goodbye to the crew. Return to land for some more exploration of Pelješac Peninsula. Our first stop is the city of Ston and its dramatic Walls of Stone that wind through the mountains to Mali Ston. Walk along the European Wall of China a bit before visiting (and tasting the goods of) the expansive acres of oyster and mussel farms Pelješac is also known for. You can also sample some Dingač, the well-loved Pelješac wine. 

After we finish tasting Ston's salty goods, we head to Dubrovnik. Dubrovnik's ancient, gleaming marble streats and baroque architecture are sure to impress. You might recognize this well-preserved medieval town as King's Landing from HBO's Game of Thrones. Settle into a hotel of your choosing before setting out to explore Dubrovnik as you wish. 

• Meals Included: Breakfast

Croatia Weather

We highly recommend checking the weather prior to your trip for an updated forecast and current conditions. We recommend the following website.

Weather in Croatia - Weather Underground

When to go?

Weather in May, June, September and October should be mostly sunny and warm. Expect daytime temperatures between 75-90 degrees. Evenings will be cool enough for a light sweater. 

Adventure Unbound Physical Requirements  

Here at Adventure Unbound our first and foremost goal is for you to have an enjoyable and safe experience. While most of our trips are suitable for beginners, some of our trips are more active than others and it’s important that you understand the physical requirement of the trip you choose. 

All of our trips are active adventures that involve some level of physical exertion and possible exposure to the elements including but not limited to wind, rain, heat, sun, cold temperatures and cold water conditions. Adventure Unbound is able to accommodate people with physical limitations, disabilities and medical conditions; please speak with your Adventure Consultant if you think you will require any additional assistance while on the trip. We ask that you consult your doctor if you have health or medical conditions that could impact your ability to participate in an active and outdoor adventure. In general, all trip participants must be able to do the following:  

• Able to climb and descend stairs to access cabins on board the yacht
• Able to balance and walk on uneven surfaces
• If swimming, able to climb and descend a ladder from the yacht to the water

Croatia Yachting Adventure Packing List Overview

Overview:

The packing list outlined below is meant to serve as a guide to help you plan, prepare and outfit yourself for your upcoming travels. We have provided our best recommendations and suggestions. These suggestions are broken down by your tour type and are based on the outlined itinerary, the geographic region, our knowledge of Croatia, and our personal experience. We hope you find this list helpful, use it as a guide and feel free to amend it with your favorite travel items too!

Adventure cruising in the Mediterranean can bring any kind of weather from hot to cool, as well as a combination of active, rugged travel and more leisurely excursions. Primarily you need wind and rain resistant layers, sun protection, water clothes, fast drying and easily laundered separates and lightweight options for city sightseeing. We recommend smart, lightweight, versatile travel clothing. Packing lightly will reduce fatigue and make for a more enjoyable vacation. A good test is to pack your bag then take it on a walk with you and see how you do. Of course, compact luggage with wheels or soft luggage is preferred (storage space aboard is limited).

Weather in May, June, September and October should be mostly sunny and warm. Expect daytime temperatures between 75-90 degrees. Evenings will be cool enough for a light sweater. On board the yacht the atmosphere is casual. In cities such as Zagreb & Dubrovnik you might want something a bit dressier but it is really not necessary unless you are going to fancy restaurants.

We recommend bringing a small daypack  for carrying cameras, water bottles, medicines, etc. A secure neck or waist wallet provides maximum safety and peace of mind, especially in busy places such as airports, restaurants and hotels. On board, all valuables are safe. Also consider bringing a spare duffel to take home souvenirs.

Essential Items

• Passport - must be valid for at least six (6) months after the date of your arrival
• Money belt to carry your passport, travel documents and money, concealed under your clothes
• A photocopy of your passport, inside a ziplock bag and stowed elsewhere in your luggage (As an additional precautionary measure, consider leaving a photocopy with family or friends at home as well)
• Copy of your air tickets with ticket numbers, placed elsewhere in your luggage
• Cash for gratuities (see more information below)
• Credit and/or Debit/ATM card that works internationally, ideally with a chip technology (Before leaving home, notify your bank of your travel to help prevent any fraud detection holds on your card)
• Watch or small travel clock with alarm (if you are taking a phone, this can serve as your alarm clock)
• TSA-accessible lock for luggage security when not on your person (optional- can buy at any travel or outdoor recreation store)

Clothing

• Two or three pair lightweight walking pants              
• Two to six sets of underclothing (socks, underwear, etc)
• Two or three lightweight, easy to wash long sleeve shirts 
• Sandals or flip flops for casual time aboard yacht
• One or two pairs walking shorts rr, good walking sandals
• Two or three short sleeve shirts 
• Walking shoes with good support - or tennis shoes. 
• One swimsuit
• One light jacket or windbreaker 
• One or two skirts/dress/dress pant if desired
• One or two warm sweater or synthetic pile jacket 
• Hat useful for both sun protection and warmth
• QUALITY rain jacket (pants also recommended) 
• Small travel umbrella if desired

Additional Gear

• One wide-mouth water bottle (1 Liter or bigger)
• Water filtration system - Bringing this along will help reduce our use of single use plastic. Croatia has nearly perfect tap water that can be easily filtered so it wont upset your bodys system. We recomend you bring a filter such as a LifeStraw, Grayle, Steripen, or Sawyer Squeeze
• Camera and spare SD Cards and batteries
• Ziplock bags, larger ones for packing damp clothes
• Small notebook or journal and a couple pens 
• A book or two about the area you'll be visiting.
• English paperbacks are hard to find and expensive 
• Small battery operated fan - optional, but nice in cabin
• Sunglasses
• Small towel
• One bandana for sun protection

Toiletries and First Aid

• Sunscreen (waterproof kind)
• Wash cloth (towels are provided on yacht)
• EXTRA eyeglasses or contact lenses 
• Razor (s) – battery operated or bring a converter 
• Toothbrush & paste, soap, etc. 
• Antiseptic wipes
• Ear plugs if you are sensitive to noise, snoring, etc 
• First aid kit
• Prescription medicines 
• Feminine sanitary supplies
• Diarrhea/intestinal soother
• Motion sickness medication such as dramamine, patch or acupressure wrist bands
• Lip balm
• Heavy duty skin lotion for dry, sun-baked, and salted skin
• Toothbrush, toothpaste (Ivory or biodegradable are best*)
• Shampoo and soap (we recommend biodegradable, multi-purpose options)

Adventure Unbound - Recommended Croatia Reading List

• Andric, Ivo, Bridge on the Drina (trans. by Lovett Edwards), 1962. This is the first novel in the Bosnian trilogy, a chronicle of a bridge near Visograd over three and half centuries. The sequels are Bosnian Story (trans. by Joseph Hitrec), 1963, set in the capital of Bosnia in the years just before the fall of Napoleon; and The Woman from Sarajevo (trans. by Joseph Hitrec), 1965, set in the Balkans during the early twentieth century and including Sarajevo at the time of the assassination that started World War I.
• Auty, P., Yugoslavia, London, 1954.
• Bridge, Ann. Illyrian Spring, little, 1935. In this story, a woman runs off to Dalmatia (from Italy) because of the attitude of her children and husband.
• Byron, R., The Byzantine Achievement, London, 1929.
• Dedijer, Vladimir, Tito Speaks, London, 1953; and With Tito Through the War, London, 1951.
• Edwards, Lovitt F., Yugoslav Coast, Hastings, 1974.
• Fitzroy Maclean, Sir, Disputed Barricade: the Life and Times of Joseph Broz Tito, London, 1957
• Fortis, Abbe, Travels in Dalmatia, 1778.
• Irving, Celia, The Adriatic Islands and Corfu, London, 1971.
• Kaplan, Robert, Balkan Ghosts, 1993. As the ethnic antagonisms seem to echo indefinitely, along comes a book that is vital to understanding the centuries-old blood feuds reignited since the dissolution of Eastern European Communism. A veteran journalist offers eloquent insights into what he calls “history’s cauldron”: Southern Austria, Croatia, Serbia, Albania, Macedonia, Bulgaria, and Greece. Easy reading and very intriguing.
• MacLean, Alistair, Force 10 from Navarone, Doubleday, 1968. Three men are assigned the mission in World War II of a drop into Yugoslavia to join the partisans, blow up a dam and divert German troops from Italy to Yugoslavia. Also by MacLean, Partisans, Doubleday, 1983, is a suspense story of World War II and the Nazi/Partisan struggle – the vastness of the Balkan Mountains is the setting.
• Theroux, Paul, Pillars of Hercules, Putnam, 1995. Personal journey around the Mediterranean. Great reading.
• West, Rebecca, Black Lamb and Grey Falcon, Biking, 1940. For an understanding of a region so recently in agony, nothing can surpass this monumental work on what was once Yugoslavia: its heroes, history, landscape, and especially the complex politics and culture that lie at the root of today’s divisions.
• Wilson, Duncan, Tito’s Yugoslavia, Cambridge Univ. Press, 1979. “Good account of the events of World War II, of the Yugoslav Revolution,” and 1948 on as an independent state.
• Zilliacus, K., Tito of Jugoslavia, London, 1952.

Additional Croatia and Small Ship Information 

Croatia Weather Forecast - Check the local weather before you go. 

Ships and Vessels - Allure, Romanca, The Linda - Learn about the various small ships your adventure may take place on.

History of Croatia - Study Croatias tumultous past.

Regional Food Specialties to Try in Croatia - Get your tastebuds ready for the regional delicassies of the nation. 

Tips for Navigating World Markets - Make the most out of your time exploring local farmers and craft markets abroad. 

The Magic of Travel by Gulet - Read the first hand experience of Croatian Gulet travel by travel writer, Alison Gardner!

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