Croatia here I come!

[LL_Travelfan]

Hi copahc,
Sounds like an interesting trip. I like the boat idea. Can you shed some more light on through whom you booked, etc. Also tell us more about your experience. I assume you are back by now. Croatia is still on my bucket list, but hubby is draging his feet... I was in Dubrovnik and the coast when it was still Yugoslavia... a long time ago, but I loved it and would love to go back to this area.

[copahc]

Sorry it’s taken me so long to respond. The trip was fantastic. I found out I LOVE sailing. I think mostly for the relaxed environment. Days basically consisted on getting up; having some coffee and a light breakfast (or going to a café if you are parked at a marina); taking a swim in the crystal clear blue water; heading out and doing some sailing if the wind allowed, relaxing, stopping at small bay or beach for more snorkling, swimming etc.; making lunch or going to a sea-side restaurant, more sailing, then discovering another beautiful old medieval city at night.. I did go during peak season, so the towns were absolutely buzzing with life, especially at night time. But during the days it’s fun to get lost in the small streets, take photos, and look in shops etc. I definitely want to go sailing again!

Although I had a fantastic time, I wouldn’t really recommend the company I went with. They were really more into organising a flotilla of boats and going to specific places for parties. They got our actual charter boat from another charter company that I definitely wouldn’t recommend. The boat and everything was fine, but the people at the agency were slow and unprofessional and caused us lots of delays. Also last minute our original skipper got sick and another one was substituted that didn’t really know the area. We were fine though since the flotilla people had already arranged our itinerary.
There are lots of charter companies in Croatia. If you just google it and email a bunch of them you should find something suitable. They can unusually always set you up with a skipper. Make sure you have an experienced skipper who knows the area so he can take you to interesting places and recommend great restaurants.
I can definitely recommend some of the places I’ve been as places to hit on your boat trip.
1. Split is a must see.
2. The Island Hvar – Hvar town. Hvar town can get pretty “lifestyles of the rich and famous” in the summer time, but it’s a great place and I definitely wouldn’t miss it if I were you.
3. Small islands of the coast of Hvar town – There’s no roads or cars on the islands, just restaurants, bars, foot paths, a marina, and lots of little coves to moor your boat and swim. Its beautiful place.’
4. Island of Vis. There’s a great restaurant named Roki’s in the middle of the island that I would highly recommend. You can probably reach it my taxi form Vis town.
5. Trojir – Beautiful old city. I can also recommend a great apartment within walking distance, PM me for info.
6. Other than that just find small coves and hidden beaches to stop in spend the day swimming, sunning, having a picnic etc.

[copahc]

Sorry it’s taken me so long to respond. The trip was fantastic. I found out I LOVE sailing. I think mostly for the relaxed environment. Days basically consisted on getting up; having some coffee and a light breakfast (or going to a café if you are parked at a marina); taking a swim in the crystal clear blue water; heading out and doing some sailing if the wind allowed, relaxing, stopping at small bay or beach for more snorkling, swimming etc.; making lunch or going to a sea-side restaurant, more sailing, then discovering another beautiful old medieval city at night.. I did go during peak season, so the towns were absolutely buzzing with life, especially at night time. But during the days it’s fun to get lost in the small streets, take photos, and look in shops etc. I definitely want to go sailing again!

Although I had a fantastic time, I wouldn’t really recommend the company I went with. They were really more into organising a flotilla of boats and going to specific places for parties. They got our actual charter boat from another charter company that I definitely wouldn’t recommend. The boat and everything was fine, but the people at the agency were slow and unprofessional and caused us lots of delays. Also last minute our original skipper got sick and another one was substituted that didn’t really know the area. We were fine though since the flotilla people had already arranged our itinerary.
There are lots of charter companies in Croatia. If you just google it and email a bunch of them you should find something suitable. They can unusually always set you up with a skipper. Make sure you have an experienced skipper who knows the area so he can take you to interesting places and recommend great restaurants.
I can definitely recommend some of the places I’ve been as places to hit on your boat trip.
1. Split is a must see.
2. The Island Hvar – Hvar town. Hvar town can get pretty “lifestyles of the rich and famous” in the summer time, but it’s a great place and I definitely wouldn’t miss it if I were you.
3. Small islands off the coast of Hvar town – There’s no roads or cars on the islands, just restaurants, bars, foot paths, a marina, and lots of little coves to moor your boat and swim. It's a really amazing place.
4. Island of Vis. There’s a great restaurant named Roki’s in the middle of the island that I would highly recommend. You can probably reach it my taxi form Vis town. Kormiza is also a great town to visit on Vis.
5. Trojir – Beautiful old city. I can also recommend a great apartment within walking distance, PM me for info.
6. Other than that just find small coves and hidden beaches to stop in spend the day swimming, sunning, having a picnic etc.

[LL_Travelfan]

Thanks for the great trip report and suggestions. I am still trying to get my husband to go to this part of Europe. I'll keep your report in mind.

[jmbklj]

Any LL'ers ever take a ferry from Italy over to Croatia, or vice versa?

[copahc]

I never tried this ferry. Are you having trouble finding flights? It's hard to get to. Last time I went we flew from Dusseldorf Weeze airport on Ryan Air to Zadar. It was still expensive even on Ryan Air.