On a yacht in Croatia (Dubrovnik-Krka-Split). Yachting in Croatia, useful information about holidays on a yacht What is included in the cost of a yacht expedition
How great it is to have people around you who push you to take decisive action.
One evening, while visiting us, my husband’s colleagues suggested we fly to Croatia, rent a yacht and go camping. Ha, everyone laughed and the matter died down. But a month later, a mysterious husband came home from work, persuaded me to take a vacation, get ready quickly and trust him) I received answers to 1000 and 1 questions in parts, as if I was participating in a quest) Instead of a suitcase, I was asked to take 2 hiking backpacks, so I decided to be bored you don't have to! And now our whole friendly group is on the plane, a flight with transfers through Vienna, and beautiful Austria overboard.
September was not chosen by chance: firstly, work is not as crowded as in summer and winter, and secondly, prices in September are lower than in the season, and there are not crowds of tourists, and this is the main thing. Essentially, the same service for less money, and the weather continues to please, the sea is not cold, the rays of the sun warm, the sunrises are pleasing. In short, September is a pretty good month for a cruise.
Getting to know Croatia, Split airport, port, first hike and overnight stay
Soft landing at the airport in Split (Central Dalmatia), security passed, we loaded into a taxi (12 euros / car), it cost us 15.50 euros to get to the port, we were there) We met the captain of the yacht (speaks excellent Russian, knows 5 languages, I managed to practice with it even in German)
The route was developed by our beloved men, and the weak half of humanity, that is, we, trusted it, especially since none of the Ladies knows anything about sailing on a yacht. On the spot, the captain of the yacht made adjustments to our route, we loaded up and moved away from the shore. Let me make a reservation right away: renting a yacht for a week cost 1,800 euros, there were 4 of us couples, the budget was shared. Frankly, my soul was filled with emotions: fear, adrenaline, buzz, and joy mixed with worries, because there was something new and unknown ahead.
Split was impressive, but this town is similar to many European cities, with ancient churches, narrow quiet streets, small cafes and incredibly delicious fish dishes. We were leaving the port, emotions were overwhelming, the flight was planned back from Split, therefore it was planned to explore the city in detail on the way back.
Having completely trusted the captain of the yacht, she was lost in thought and looking at the expanses of the Adriatic. Until recently, I didn’t even dream of going on a yacht, but now we are on a yacht and steering towards our dream. Along the way there are ships, cruise liners, birds landing on the railings of yachts, cozy islands - and absolutely everyone wants to get off and look at them with their own eyes.
A beautiful sunset, aromatic wine, a divine dinner (downstairs in the dining room) with a guitar... It seemed like this was a dream and all this was not with me)
For the first time in my life I spent the night on a yacht, I’ll tell you, it’s really okay! You sleep like at home, the salty smell of the wind, the sea, you don’t want to wake up...
The next morning began with fishing. Oh, this is mega entertainment! There is a special drive when you manage to pull out a fish, and it’s doubly enjoyable if you cook it)
I love independence when traveling, and I was very worried that during a week on the yacht we wouldn’t get tired of each other, but we even managed to miss our friends and not always meet each other.
Yacht. Primosten and Trogir
Our weekly route consisted of 4 cities and intermediate small villages: Split, Trogir, Primosten and Marina. We didn’t notice how we reached Primosten. Narrow streets, old churches (remarkably, they are open around the clock - for us this is nonsense. You can enter at 23.00.
Fish markets, fresh seafood, small cafes, beautiful cozy beaches (mostly free) and thousands of yachts with the same tourists on board as we are)
This snack for one cost us 4.5 euros.
There are many fishermen on the shore with whom you can exchange a few phrases. The older generation is not inferior to the younger generation: it’s nice to see how the old woman herself is in a boat with oars, catching fish, dragging nets and sorting. We even managed to talk to her, she told us amazing recipes for fish dishes
The beaches surprised us with their cleanliness: Primosten is perhaps the only city where the free beaches are clean and cozy. After 20.00 you can take a sunbed for free, lay down a blanket, sit down and relax.
In general, our vacation turned out to be so easy, carefree in one breath. Even ordinary walls are beautiful here, with drop-down tables built into them so you can have a snack along the way. I recommend latte, expresso (a large glass will cost 2.5-3 euros).
The beaches of Primosten with rocky shores, uneven slopes in some places, and daring wildlife reminded me of the beaches of Migea (Ukraine, rafting resort). By the way, there is also a raft here.
And the fragrant spruces on the rocks?! This aroma is incomparable: both gentle and daring, like the warmth of brown eyes.
Primosten is a historical town with sights at every step.
What is worth having for dinner - pork dishes, dried on coals. Dinner with salads. ham and wine for 8_x cost us 137 euros.
Primosten was so impressed that the council decided to pay for a simple yacht and spend the night on land.
There were many hotels; we chose them based on reviews and pricing policy. The choice fell on Villa Lorenta, a few km from the city center and 50 meters from the beautiful rocky beach. The hotel has the opportunity to eat yourself in their kitchenette, you can stock up on groceries in the supermarket, or you can arrange for groceries to be delivered.
The apartment cost 55 euros for 4 people, we rented 2 rooms for 4 people.
We met the sunset on the rocks of a rocky beach, extraordinary beauty. We chatted, dreamed and came to the conclusion that this was the most crazy vacation, filled with impressions and positive things. It was so good there on the rocks that I didn’t want to go to the hotel, or home, or even to our yacht. Despite spending an active time on vacation, this time all we did was relax, and this blunder didn’t get boring!
The next morning we had a quick breakfast and went to the port to our yacht. The captain was already preparing to leave, we loaded up, threw in coins to return and began to leave.
Our path lay in Trogir, before we had time to look back we were already in this cozy small town, which is famous not only for viticulture, but also for yacht design.
There are very cool fish restaurants and delicious dishes, such as fish plate (a fairly large dish, ideal with white wine). Dinner for two cost us 48 euros.
I advise you to set aside at least a day for a walk around the city, visit the city hall, the Gothic church on the 14th century embankment, the cathedral, and be sure to pay attention to the Kamerlengo (an ancient fortress with stunning views of the Old Town).
Having said goodbye to the captain and thanked us, we went to dinner at a local restaurant. The husbands still visited the pub. By prices -
acceptable, glass of beer -2/4 euros.
After dinner, we rented a car (70 euros) and drove off to Marina, then to go to the Split airport. There it was decided to spend the night in the Marina Mila apartments. The village of Marina itself is small, there is a fairly good infrastructure here, there is a hypermarket, a pub, 2 restaurants, a cafe, and you can buy vegetables, fruits and seafood cheaply at the local market. The beaches are small with pebbles, but clean and cozy.
Our hotel consisted of 7 complexes, cozy and quite spacious terraces and a huge swimming pool.
We rented 3 rooms (apartments): a room for 4, and 2 rooms for two. I really wanted romance and had enough money, so my husband and I decided to spend the night separately).
Marina-Split. Homecoming
The week flew by unnoticed. Behind us are so many positive things, bright colors, indescribable sensations, drive of emotions...
As much as I didn’t want to, I had to return to Split. The journey took 25 minutes (14 km from the Marina to the airport).
We walked around the city, there were so many yachts that I wanted to leave everything and go back to the sea, but alas...
Work and routine awaited us at home, we took pictures, had lunch and went to registration...
Lunch (hot tomato soup with rice) cost 18 euros for two.
Work to travel, enjoy your vacation, try national cuisine. Croatian dishes are teeming with variety and will satisfy the most demanding gourmet. What I have personally tried, I recommend to you: Pašticada (beef stewed in wine, served with dumplings. Tomato soup with rice and Sarma (cabbage rolls) - delicious food that is worth trying, fish plateau, desserts, white wine...
This was the best sea trip in Croatia. Come back here definitely: a flurry of emotions that no trip abroad will give you.
Dalmatia
Until this year, I had never traveled by sea. And then suddenly I was invited on a cruise. This time to Croatia. I make a decision in 1 minute, give the money and go on vacation for a week. October - in Moscow there are already cold nights, rains, the first frosts, but here it is summer, gentle sun, warm sea, velvet nights...
I rarely ride without some kind of landscape purpose. All trips are connected with my favorite work: exhibitions, conferences, seminars, gardens and parks... I write articles about this on the website, talk about what I saw and learned. I also want to tell you about a trip to the Croatian islands in the Adriatic Sea and show photos. Of course, I tried to photograph various landscape techniques, urban and private landscaping, but the landscapes themselves, natural landscapes, are an amazing sight that inspires and spiritualizes, and gives a powerful creative charge.
We have a very nice group. Mostly Muscovites and 2 ladies from Gelendzhik. All people are very interesting and cheerful. We flew to Montenegro in Tivat. Even from the plane one could see the mountainous terrain, where there are so few places suitable for life. The settlements are located mainly along the seashore and are connected by thin strings of roads. Following one of them, we went to Croatia, in the city of Slano we boarded our yacht “Enigma”. The Russian flag was raised on the yacht especially for our group. The yacht has double cabins with shower rooms for 14 passengers and 4 crew members. Our team was also wonderful. Croatian captain Ivica, his wife Alla, cook Nano, and cheerful sailor Antonio. Nano prepared us very tasty dishes and even delicious desserts. And Antonio infected everyone with his positivity. No one could get bored around him. Alla is a Muscovite; 5 years ago she went on vacation to Croatia and met her future husband there. Now the yacht is their family business. I was amazed at how deftly and skillfully Alla handled any maritime work. She stands at the helm, does the work, and drives the boat. Most importantly, you can see how much she likes it all. She glows with happiness, and Captain Ivica glows looking at her...
There is no winter here, navigation is carried out all year round, but tourists tend to get to the islands in the summer. It’s not clear why?.. It’s good here in the summer too. But in spring, autumn and even winter it’s nice to visit a warm country. In my opinion, Croatia and Montenegro have a lot of advantages over other resorts. There is a very comfortable climate here, not scorching sun, amazingly clean water, friendly people. It feels like you're at home. Even the local speech is understandable, there are many words with the same root, similar to Russian. We communicated easily in Russian-Ukrainian-Croatian.
The southern islands and coastal mainland of Croatia are called Dalmatia. Due to the ruggedness of the coast, there were a huge number of views and breathtaking landscapes. Without a yacht, of course, the possibilities in this regard are very limited. On the Enigma we came to a new harbor every day and spent the night there. Sometimes we went somewhere in the middle of the day. We visited cities, villages, the best beaches, ancient fortresses, and national parks. We also swam directly from board in the open sea. Once we even saw dolphins. In a week we visited Dubrovnik, Split, Mljet and Lastovo, Hvar, Makarska, Korcula, Trstenik, Šipan, Slano, Bol.
Croatian coastal towns have their own special charm. They are always located on the terrain. Narrow streets run up. Everything is paved with stone. Stone houses are covered with red tiles. There are pergolas entwined with grapes and flowered balconies everywhere. There is a central square with a church. And some ancient fortification structure often rises above the city. If you climb here, magnificent panoramas will open before you. In the towns they sell wine, cheese, fruit, and seafood. You can rent a bicycle. There are few cars. The population seems to move more by sea. They fish, go from city to city, and carry tourists.
Our daily routine was like this:
- before breakfast we walked or swam in the sea
- had breakfast at the stern
- went out to sea and sunbathed on the front deck
- dined on a yacht
- swam and sunbathed again
- moored in a new town (only once we stood in a roadstead and got to shore by boat)
- walked around the city, went shopping, had dinner
The vacation turned out to be of such high quality that I completely forgot about work and all Moscow worries. I discovered a new interesting opportunity for myself - traveling on a yacht. This is much more exciting than traveling by land. And so romantic! I would like to repeat such an adventure soon and definitely do it outside the generally accepted tourist season, when berths are free, prices fall, and the weather in Dalmatia is always good. During the season, all cruises can be purchased very well in advance, and at other times there is every chance to organize a vacation spontaneously. Some people love it that way, and I am one of them.
An interesting idea is short trips and corporate events for several days. You don’t need a visa for the trip, and the flight from Moscow to this heavenly place is only 3 hours. Special thanks to Tour Operator TTS Partner for organizing the trip.
We call TTS Partner 495 6919159, buy plane tickets and get an unforgettable experience. Everything is very simple!
www.tts-online.ru, www.
Route: Trogir - o. Šolta - o. Vis - oh. Hvar - o. Saint Clement (Marina Palmisana) - Fr. Korcula - o. Lastovo-o. Mljet – Dubrovnik
Traveling around Croatia on a sailing yacht is an adventure that you will definitely want to repeat. Warm sea, endless blue sky above your head and a fast yacht moving along the intended course... what could be better? Perhaps stops in the marinas of small and large islands of hospitable Croatia! When you sign up as a participant in this sailing yacht trip, you will see Trogir first.
This ancient city was founded by the Greeks, about three centuries BC. Historians say that Trogir is one of the very few cities where ancient buildings from the times of Roman rule and the Gothic era in architecture are perfectly preserved. Thousands of tourists come here to admire the unique monuments of antiquity. We will also stay here, because the old town is just a five-minute walk from the marina. The Venetian Camerlengo Tower, Cipiko Palace and other significant sights of the city will remain in your memory for a long time, and cozy restaurants and taverns in Trogir will delight you with delicious dishes of national cuisine.
After sightseeing and a little refreshment, we will go to the island of Vis. Here travelers are hospitably greeted by the village of Komiža, where the fishing museum has many interesting exhibitions. In addition, Vis is an island that stands out among others for its well-kept beaches of fine sand and pebbles. Vis was once of great strategic importance, so in addition to excellent beaches and restaurants with Mediterranean cuisine, there are many interesting fortifications.
The next stop on your sailing yacht trip is the island of Hvar. The island is called the sunniest place in Croatia, because heavy rains are very rare here. Hvar is also considered one of the major centers of nightlife and a wide variety of entertainment, which makes it one of the most visited islands of the Adriatic Sea.
Having appreciated the cultural life and attractions of Hvar, we move on to Palmisana. It is said that this holiday destination is popular even with members of the royal family of the United Kingdom. True, we were unable to find photographic evidence of this fact. But the following fact does not raise any doubts: Palmisana is an excellent choice if you like to sunbathe, lying in a comfortable sun lounger on golden sand, by the warm blue sea. Very, very beautiful place!
After Palmisana the island of Korcula awaits us. It is rightly called the pearl of Croatia. Oddly enough, it only became like this after Korcula was captured...by the Venetians. This happened back in 1420. Warlike but economical people from Venice made a great contribution to the architecture of the city-state. Imagine a picturesque ancient city surrounded by thick, lush greenery. And in the very center of this splendor is St. Mark's Cathedral. It was built over a hundred years! The island is amazingly beautiful: olive groves and pomegranate trees grow around ancient buildings, souvenir shops and small cafes open all year round on the narrow streets... And the most famous resident of Korcula was the famous traveler Marco Polo. It is very easy to guess about this here - many streets in the city are named after him.
The yacht trip around Croatia will continue with a visit to the island of Lastovo. Its coastline is indented with many secluded coves, and if you look into a village nearby, you will be amazed by the variety of chimneys. It seems that every house in the village of Lastovo has its own pipeline project!
Then we will visit the island of Mljet. Here we will find the Big and Small lakes, the dense greenery of the reserve and its winding paths, a rich underwater world and the opportunity to surf, paddle board or kayak... or just go fishing. Mljet captivates with its beauty, making you grab your camera almost every minute.
Following this, the journey on a sailing yacht will continue with the entrance to the marina off the island of Dubrovnik. Its Lapad and Banje beaches are well known to experienced tourists, and the city itself evokes only warm feelings. Since the 14th century, Dubrovnik has become the center of cultural life and trade in Croatia, successfully competing in this even with Venice. The time of rapid growth and mixing of cultures has left its mark on the appearance of the city streets: in addition to well-kept beaches, there are hundreds of ancient buildings that are just asking to be hosted by an artist.
To see all this with your own eyes, to spend your vacation in an unusual and interesting way, join us. Traveling on a sailing yacht in Croatia takes two whole weeks, full of pleasant impressions!
Promotions and discounts
Price
The cost of the trip includes yacht rental, payment for parking in marinas and fuel consumption, security deposit, paperwork, final cleaning of the yacht. There are no additional charges during or after travel.
Video tutorials, mobile application
To prepare for this trip, we recommend that you review our topics: setting up a sailing yacht, preparing the crew, preparing the yacht before leaving, setting the sails, mooring - leaving the marina, mooring - entering the marina, setting sails, cleaning sails, basic sail control, reefing sails, anchoring, man overboard under motor, man overboard under sail. And be sure to practice with the terminology of the courses in the 3D wind module.
Take part in the event
To reserve a free place on the yacht, you need to select the dates that suit you for this event or, if you have already decided on the date, immediately send us a request.
On board
In the sea
Route
Marinas in Croatia
Any trip on a yacht begins from the marina - a yacht complex in which the offices of charter companies are based, there are stations for charging the vessel with electricity and water, amenities such as multi-stall showers and toilets, Internet and telephone, restaurants and shops, car parking. The word “marina” (as well as the name Marina, common in Russia) comes from the Latin marīnus - “sea”, although now it is rather a piece of civilization, giving yachtsmen the opportunity to start or continue their journey across the sea.
The marina comes to life in the morning and evening: in the first half of the day, most of the yachts weigh anchor, and in the late afternoon new ships take their places. A special rush occurs on Saturdays - it is on this day that weekly charters usually end, the integrity of the vessel is checked, and final payment occurs. Then all the yachts are removed en masse and new “owners” occupy them. And the day before the yacht is delivered, industrial divers inspect it, examining the hull underwater.
The heart of the marina is the reception, where you can order a transfer, get wi-fi, buy broken parts (yes, these expensive toys also break) or go ashore, unable to withstand seasickness, and organize your own evacuation.
There are ATMs in Croatian marinas, plus you can always exchange dollars or euros for local kunas (it’s more profitable to change euros, keep in mind). Of course, not all marinas have all the amenities described - on small islands there is often no reception or shower, or shops and restaurants.
Electric charging stations are almost always available. They are much more environmentally friendly than car ones - the yacht simply plugs into an outlet like a commonplace mobile phone. By the way, only in parking lots you can fully charge your gadgets; in the marina there are 220 volts, and in the open sea - only 12.
You can eat in large marinas without any problems - many restaurants serve dishes of Croatian, Italian and conventionally international cuisine. Fresh fish and seafood are very good - they go into soups, salads, and hot dishes. Croatians, heirs of Venetian cuisine, quite easily add shrimp and octopus to pizza, pasta, lasagne and risotto.
The theme of shower and toilet is organized quite civilly. They are usually located in the same building (of course, there is a men's and women's section), the toilets are cleaned regularly, and there is paper, paper towels, and hand soap. The shower is a series of locked cubicles, naturally with hot water, and a changing room. There are queues, but yachtsmen are fast people, so they quickly clear up.
On the yachts themselves there is always a toilet (toilets), and on those that are more modern, there is also a shower. But the marina is still much nicer - there is more space, the water is unlimited and (most importantly!) it doesn’t pump.
The yachts in the marina are very close to each other, so that you can easily move from one vessel to another. That's why neighbors are an important part of your evening. Dinner and the constant evening libations take place on the deck (and not at all in the wardroom), so you will be able to hear everyone, and they will look at you askance if you make too much noise.
Rules of conduct on board the yacht
The most important thing on board is a good supply of rum, cola and lime. Although this is a joke, in hot and windy weather (there is always wind at sea) this mix goes much better than beer, wine and other cocktails. It’s better to buy rum in duty-free, make your own ice in the freezer in the yacht’s kitchen, and the rest of the ingredients can be easily sold in stores.
Rule of good manners: the yacht must have its own shoes, in which you cannot walk “on the street”. Firstly, this allows you to keep the yacht clean (all sailors run around the benches and on the roof in shoes), and secondly, yacht shoes must have a special, non-slip sole, which will simply wear off on the asphalt. It's also important that your yachting shoes breathe (being in the sun all day is no joke) and dry quickly.
The main person on the yacht is the captain; it is he who gives orders and delegates authority. Despite the fact that he is usually the most experienced on the team, he is constantly chained to the helm. The senior sailor is the captain’s hands; he is the one who solves the operational tasks of controlling the ship (unfurl the sail with other sailors, pull in, release, etc.). It's amazing that any crew member (if desired, of course) is important and useful. At the moments of mooring and casting off, sailors hang out or remove fenders, pull up or push away other yachts (this is done in order not to damage their own and other people’s yachts), and work with moorings.
In the event of a strong roll, the yacht must be tilted in the opposite direction. In this case, all available sailors run to the appropriate side and hang out as far as possible. In the case of a regatta, this happens quite often, so by the end of the transition, the sailors may well feel fatigue in their muscles.
In addition to work (if we are talking about a team of like-minded people, and not about oil magnates with a hired crew), there is also recreation on the yacht - swimming in the open sea (in the Adriatic this is a special pleasure), for extreme sports - swimming with a rope and wakeboarding.
An expected, but no less unpleasant thing that can happen on board is seasickness. There are, of course, pills that slow down the reaction and generally have a bad effect on the body. Four reliable remedies are to drink less alcohol, be inside the boat less often, focus on the horizon rather than the details of the yacht, and give the body time to adapt. After 2-3 days after the start of the trip, he will get used to the constantly swinging environment, and you will begin to enjoy it to the fullest.
Russian yacht rally, participation in the regatta in Croatia
Participation in a regatta is not an ordinary type of yachting. This is not a “bikini, martini” vacation, but hard work, adrenaline, joy and disappointment from the results of your team.
Each day of the regatta there are one or two races along a pre-planned route. The route, of course, can change - as in kiting, a lot depends on the wind. Races are always sailed, i.e. The engine cannot be turned on (otherwise this means immediate disqualification and elimination from the race).
All yachts enter the starting area at the same time and wait for the signal to start the race. At this moment, you can still go by motor and even have time to admire the beauty of the Adriatic.
In the race itself, the yachts are often neck and neck. Speed is affected both by the skill of the team and captain, and by simple luck (which is often also a consequence of skill). Usually all yachts sail under a mainsail and jib, but in light winds it is allowed to use a special 150-meter sail - a spinnaker.
The spinnaker, due to its large windage, gives the yacht speed. From an aesthetic point of view, it looks unforgettable - like a flotilla of Gray captains racing to Assol.
Every evening, the regatta organizers sum up the results of the races and reward the race leaders. The winner of the regatta is determined only on the last evening.
Yacht route around the islands of Croatia
The given route is a consequence of participation in the regatta. The finishing points of the races were chosen based on their distance from each other, the size and amenities of the marinas (more than 20 regatta boats cannot always find a place to moor in a small marina), and the overall picturesqueness of the place.
For an independent trip, this route around the islands of the Kornati National Park is also quite suitable: marina Khramina on the island of Murter - island Žut - island Zhakan - island Zlarin - island Murter - marina Khramina on the island of Murter. The island of Murter is located near Zadar and is connected to the mainland by a bridge. Its marinas are large and equipped.
The situation is a little worse with island marinas - for example, on the island of Zhut there are only 2-3 restaurants, the piers are located far from each other and from the reception with a toilet.
You can walk around all the islands, and, most interestingly, climb to the top. The views of island Croatia are unforgettable, even in dull weather.
Evening mini-trekking is a popular activity; after a day's trek, it is especially pleasant to walk on a non-swaying surface.
The islands are sparsely populated (most are uninhabited), but the rocky soil is excellent for growing olives.
This is roughly what yachts look like when moored at night in a marina: nose-to-nose, like one large apartment building. By the way, before you move to someone else’s yacht, be sure to! you need to ask permission from its owners. Any other behavior will be perceived as extreme rudeness and ignorance.
Jacan Island is even smaller than Žut. It only has a restaurant, a store (which opens when yachts arrive at the marina) and an electrical charger. No water, no shower, Internet and toilet are available in the restaurant.
This “wildness” is fully compensated by excellent views. There are no olive trees growing on the island, but there are many flocks of sheep that roam on their own.
The island is small, you can get around it in just a couple of hours. By the way, romantic excursions to konoba (Croatian restaurant) Zakan are organized from the Khramin marina on Murter, so even if you are not into yachting, you can easily take a boat trip and have dinner in this wonderful, uncrowded place.
Another marina is on the busy island of Zlarin. Again, there are no amenities as such, but there are many restaurants and hotels, several large villages. Judging by the number of people with suitcases and the arriving ferries, this place is popular for mattress holidays.
Zlarin is a large island and you can’t get around it in an hour. But it’s all the more pleasant to get out to one of the local peaks, look at local life and generally get a feel for island Croatia.
People in the evening, outside the embankment, are rarely seen - local residents are already sitting at home, and guests of the island are having dinner in konobahs overlooking the Adriatic.
The sunsets on the island are wonderful; some yachts return to the marina at dusk to see the blazing sky and sea from the water.
And at night (this is a property of any marina, not only in Zlarin) the marina generally takes on a fabulous look.
The island of Murter is already quite a civilization; you don’t need a yacht to get to the local marinas. Therefore, it also has full-fledged receptions, ATMs, and many shops and restaurants.
On the island you can go shopping, walk along the narrow stone streets, go up to the church on the top of the hill (they are found in almost every village).
If you're lucky, you can get to a local festival, in which local residents wear national costumes and go to dance in the main square.
The last night at the marina before the yacht is delivered is usually filled with household chores - getting ready, packing things, and superficial cleaning. The next morning, having handed over the yacht to the charter company, the sea wolves again become land rats.
And, looking at the photos from your yacht trip in Croatia at home, you will probably want to return to these wonderful places with the emerald sea, picturesque nature and endless opportunities for yachting.
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Full report on independent travel to Croatia
First I'll say briefly and most importantly - it's amazing! This is a must try!
Well, now the details. :) I met the yacht in 2010 thanks to _boxa_ -, crossing the Black Sea and back, traveling along the coast of Turkey... This is not bullshit. After that, unfortunately, I never managed to get to his yacht again, despite the fact that he called. Alas, business, projects and this very freelance...
And I was in Croatia in 2008 - then we drove through national parks, looked at nature and life in this wonderful country.
Now it's time to put it all together. And when I received an offer from the yacht tour operator Friends Travel to spend a week on their yacht somewhere near the coast of Croatia, I agreed without hesitation. Fortunately, a week-long window had just opened up in my travel schedule.
I’ll say right away that yachting is not a vacation at an exorbitant price, as it might seem. Now there are two packages: 800 and 1170 euros per person. The first is only yachting. The second is the same, but plus flight and insurance if you don’t want to do it yourself. You can read what you get for this money on the website. And I will tell you and show you my emotions from a week-long trip to the beautiful islands of Croatia in the middle Dolmatia.
1. You start your journey at Kastela’s home marina - it’s not far from the airport. You get here on your own, but it’s very easy to do - either a taxi or a bus. Here you meet the skipper, first mate and crew of the yacht - those who decided to prefer an exciting trip to a banal beach + hotel holiday.
2. A yacht is first and foremost a sail! In Croatia, the season lasts from April to October, and each month has its own conditions. July is the hottest, but also the quietest in terms of winds. But you can swim from dawn to dusk. And, to be honest, you can swim at night too.
3. If you don’t know how to set a sail and don’t know a single knot, that’s not a problem. The yacht has a professional skipper who will take care of everything. If you want, you can participate in the life of the crew and help them. If you don't want to, don't. As the senior mate said, one day they were walking a group of seven glamorous girls in stiletto heels, who every night needed a new city with a nightclub. During the day they slept and gained strength before a new party. Such a vacation can also happen. Everyone chooses and gets what they want.
4. One of the advantages of yachting is a non-fixed route. Initially, we were supposed to go to Krka Park to see the waterfalls, but since almost everyone was there, we decided to forget about it and immediately taxi to the islands.
5. Charlie, a professional skipper, explains to Olga the basics of sailing a yacht. How to catch the wind and what to do with it all. And the pleasure of sailing a yacht... it’s hard to compare it with anything, you have to try it.
6. In addition to paying for the tour, when checking into the yacht, about 200 euros are contributed to the general treasury. This money is used to purchase food, pay for fuel after the trip, pay for parking in marinas and other general expenses. The specific amount depends on the number of people in the crew. Moreover, according to tradition, the crew feeds the skipper, and the first mate only pays for food. It is worth saying that the yacht is not a five-star hotel. The conditions are comfortable, everything you need is on board, but expect chandeliers, candelabra and room service, etc. not worth it. This is just a comfortable and slightly unusual house. A day later it already seemed to me that I had been living here for a long time. Everything was so familiar and understandable.
7. You also need to understand that a yacht is not a car and moves slowly. Typically the speed is between 5 and 10 knots. The engine is stable at 4-6. Under sail - from zero to ten. But the surrounding reality is so beautiful that there is no time to be bored. This includes oncoming traffic - just look at this beautiful liner! Nature, sailing, talking, etc. and so on. If you get bored, you can always sleep.
8. But the main thing is the crew. If you rent a yacht with a group, then everyone already knows each other. It is easier. In this case, no one knew anyone except the married couple, but that didn't stop everyone from having a wonderful week together and making friends. Although it happens that there is no common language. But you have to be a very strong beech not to get along with the others on such a trip.
9. Our first stop was planned in Hvar, but it was a bummer. It turns out that at that moment there was a yacht week in Croatia. This is a huge number of boats that move from one party city to another and party, party, party. Having fun. But there’s no room in the marina!
10. Also yachting, of course. But the price of one linear meter of such a vessel is from a million dollars. Maintenance, fuel... If you are not an oligarch, this is not your choice.
11. A modern sailing yacht (or catamaran, as in the photo) is also not cheap: from 150,000 euros and above. Maintenance per year - from 20,000. And also parking, repairs and other expenses. Br...
12. But to rent... Yes, almost all of Croatia and Italy sail on rented yachts. This is quite accessible to everyone. Now, as they say, in Russia too. But still on a yacht to Croatia. Or to Turkey. Or the Caribbean. There is a sea everywhere, and it’s good there.
13. And we came to the bay of Hvar itself and dropped anchor in it. Like a dozen other yachts.
14. We got to the shore on an inflatable boat - a “tuzik” (it is called a tuzik, like a dog, because at sea it is tied to a yacht and runs behind it along the waves). Dinner in Hvar and back to our house to sleep.
15. Skipper's workplace. The yacht is equipped with the most modern equipment. Radar, navigation system, autopilot(!), walkie-talkies and much more useful things. You can try twisting and pressing almost all of this.
16. Our yacht is Kali. Almost 48 feet, the flagship of the fleet. Luxury salon, all business... :)
17. We disembark to swim to the Blue Cave. Fantastic place, just a game of nature's mood.
18. I'm already crazy about this picture. A minute earlier, I was stunned by the fact that a boat was floating near the entrance of the cave, where a cashier was sitting, who was writing out a ticket for 40 kuna (payment from the ship’s cash register)!!! There is also a poster hanging nearby that states that swimming and photography are prohibited. But no one cares. And they take pictures and even swim in the cave.
19. Light penetrates into it only through small natural holes in the rock and, reflecting from the white limestone bottom, colors everything around in silver-blue tones.
20. I can’t help but admire once again how he takes off the third nickel in such conditions. ISO 12000... I’m even afraid to imagine what people there are filming on point-and-shoot cameras with flashes.
21. But July is hot. And the heat means swimming. If you want to stand all day in a deserted bay and swim - welcome. If you want to ride fenders, welcome. As Charlie says, "It's your vacation!"
22. But fender riding brings a lot of emotions and positive emotions!
23. Our skipper is Charlie. Extra-class yacht master. He crossed the Atlantic several times. An eternal optimist and a wonderful person. He spent half his life working as a mechanical engineer and designing off-road vehicles, then volunteered for the British Army, where he rose to the rank of regimental commander, fought in Afghanistan, and has now been sailing for many years. Traveled more than 40,000 miles at sea. By the way, all skippers are mega-positive people. There is no other way to do this kind of work.
24. Well, we are still riding fenders :)
25. One of the parking lots. Marina is busy again, so we stand on the buoy. By the way, 200 kuna! And another 75 for an unlimited toilet and shower.
26. I don’t remember where, but it doesn’t matter. Just beautiful! Some smaller parinas offer free parking as long as you dine in their restaurant. One such dinner cost us just over 1000 kuna for six. Moreover, there was a lot of food and it was very tasty. And the local white wine was simply divine.
27. Well, specialists. What kind of animal? How much it rushes, how much it eats, and in general, why is this vessel so strange?!
28. Mimimi beetle. Violet! Is this a replica or an original?
29. Well, we move on. By the way, I highly recommend not drinking on a yacht. No, this is up to you, but... firstly, seasickness with alcohol can be very insidious, and secondly - why? In the evening at a restaurant is one thing. There's great wine, dinner and company. But during the day it's just hot. As the senior mate said, in one company there was a man who had not dried out since the morning. They tied his leg with a scarf so that he wouldn’t fall overboard. So he lay on the deck all day. But sunbathing is welcome. But remember, the sun doesn’t sleep either. Getting heatstroke is like nothing to do. Okay, relax. Everything is simple and good there :)
30. Charlie is a fan of traditional navigation. Despite the fact that he has a hard time, he uses a sextant for pleasure. It was made in the 80s... and when crossing the Atlantic he had to use a device made in the 20s of the last century. And it worked great!
31. One of the bays on the island of Lastovo. There is an abandoned military bunker here. I'll post a report from there soon.
32. But even without a bunker, this bay is worth stopping and swimming.
33. Naturally, you need to climb the mast.
34. Unforgettable sensations and emotions. Especially when the boat is rocking.
35. My happy and unshaven face is at the top of the mast.
36. Magic Korcula.
37. Very elderly people live on this yacht. They go to sea very rarely, but the yacht itself is in impeccable condition.
38. Mooring of another yacht in the marina.
39. Old town in Korcula.
40. Sunset view from the cocktail tower.
42. Then I remembered that I have a fish eye!
43. Olga, who is in the foreground, is on the yacht for the second time. And Ilya and Masha are the first.
44. Misha, first mate. Professional golfer and yachtsman.
45. Hurray, wind! Everyone sets the sails and turns up the heat. Alas, it doesn't last long. :(
46. The last night takes place in a deserted rocky bay. Here we have dinner and sleep for a couple of hours. We get up at four in the morning, swim at night and go early.
47. Sunrise at sea... It's just beautiful.
This is where the trip around the islands of Croatia ended. It was a wonderful week. Thanks to Charlie, Misha, Olga, Ilya and Masha for the wonderful company. Thank you