A sailing experience in the Mediterranean

Imagine a sailing experience in a land whose Mediterranean diet is protected by UNESCO, and whose abundant Adriatic sea provides some of the finest seafood out there, local and fresh, which will take you back to a different era, returning you home. Enjoy these simple pleasures on the back of your boat as you explore the innumerable islands or discover some of the hidden culinary gems in tiny bays all over the Adriatic!

Date

Sep 1 - 9

Year

2023

Group Size

10 - 16

Tour Escort

Day 1 to Day 9

Imagine a sailing experience in a land whose Mediterranean diet is protected by UNESCO, and whose abundant Adriatic sea provides some of the finest seafood out there, local and fresh, which will take you back to a different era, returning you home. Enjoy these simple pleasures on the back of your boat as you explore the innumerable islands or discover some of the hidden culinary gems in tiny bays all over the Adriatic!

With its 5,800 km of coastline, 4,000 km of which belong to islands, cliffs, and reefs, the Adriatic coast of Croatia is the most indented of the Mediterranean. There are over 1,000 islands and only 50 of them are populated, while each island and even each place on the same island is diverse, a world unto itself. Picturesque little villages, rich in history and Mediterranean charm, hidden bays, and beaches, accessible only by sea – all of this makes for superb sailing holidays! It’s a true PARADISE for sea lovers!

Trip Highlights

Split – Brač Island – Pakleni Islands – Hvar Island – Korcula Island – Peljesac Penninsula – (Trstenik, Ston, & Slano) – Elafiti Islands (Koločep) – Dubrovnik

• Experience a gastronomic adventure by taking a short boat ride to the oyster & mussels farm in the middle of the bay.  With a glass of wine in hand, you’ll be tasting this natural aphrodisiac straight from the sea on a private island.

• Visit the famous winery in Croatia where Anthony Bourdain filmed ‘No Reservations’ and called it the best in Croatia.

• Indulge your senses and taste some of the local products only to be found in that particular location.

• Have outdoor meals in hidden local tavernas and exclusive starred restaurants.

• Learn the stories about  locations, legends, and local culture from Local Guides.

• Visit breath-taking sites recognized by UNESCO World Heritage.

• Walk the longest stone wall in Europe Dubrovnik.

• Enjoy insider full-day tours of Brač, Hvar, Korčula & Pelješac peninsula.

• Explore more than a dozen off the beaten path towns and villages.

• Meet7 unique local wine producers and compare indigenous Croatian wine varietals.

• Meet local olive oil producers and taste what they grow, right at the location.

Yacht Description – MV LASTAVICA

This deluxe vessel is a 160 foot long and 28 foot wide luxury vessel, with a cruising speed of ten nautical miles. Built in 2021, with the latest state-of-the-art equipment and amenities.

MV Lastavica is stylishly decorated with modern, spacious indoor and outdoor social areas for guests to relax, dine or drink. Up top, there is a spacious sundeck area with loungers and a hot tub. A swim platform at the rear of the boat allows guests to swim, snorkel or make use of the onboard water sports activities.

All 18 of the cabins on the ship are quite spacious, with luxury en-suite bathrooms and air-conditioning..  Total capacity is only 36 people, so being on board is like sailing on a private yacht. The cabins are situated on two decks, the main and the lower deck of the ship, with the crew members being situated in separate areas.

What is included in the price?

• All meals and tastings as shown in the day-by-day itinerary.

• 8 days on a luxury yacht with max 36 travelers.

• Service on board is provided by your Captain, the Cruise Coordinator, and your experienced crew members.

• All other activities as shown in the itinerary.

Not included:

• Meals and beverages not mentioned above.

• Transfers except those mentioned above.

• City taxes.

• Gratuities.

• Travel insurance.

• International airfare.

• Anything that is not included in the above list.

Important Notes

• This trip is not suitable for people with mobility problems.

Disclaimer

Due to reasons beyond our control, the itinerary and activities may be subject to change without notice and be replaced with similar tours and activities of equal or greater value. 

Day 1 – September 1
Arrival Day – Split

Welcome to Split! Upon arrival at the airport, at you will be greeted by our representative and will be transferred to the hotel in Split. After checking in you will head to a small local restaurant for dinner, paired with wine. Overnight in Hotel Briig 4* in Split, superior double room city view.

Breakfast, Dinner with wine.


Day 2 – September 2
Split

Start your day by meeting with an exclusive guided tour of all the unique historical & gastro treasures of Split. You will begin your food adventure by visiting Green Market, a great traditional restaurant, “konoba”, known for its culinary specialty “macaroni” – handmade pasta and fresh seafood. Explore Split tasting the traditional peasant pie “soparnik” and visit the oldest pastry shop in Split, where you will enjoy traditional pastries and gelato.

In the afternoon you will climb aboard the luxury mini cruise. Late afternoon you will have some free time on your own. Step inside Diocletian’s Palace and you’ll see dozens of bars, restaurants & shops thriving amid the atmospheric old walls where Split life has been going on for thousands of years.

Welcome dinner aboard the cruise. Overnight on board in Split.

Breakfast, Lunch (walking food tour), Dinner


Day 3 – September 3
Split – Brač

Breakfast on board! Sail towards the island of Brač where you will enjoy a swim stop and lunch on board. Brač is the largest island in Dalmatia, famous for its beautiful beaches and limestone. The White House in Washington, D.C., the Hofburg in Vienna, and the Diocletian Palace in Split are all built with this special stone! Once we reach the port of Pučišća, we’ll visit the Masons school, followed by a short drive to the oldest village on the island of Brač – Škrip.

The island is also famous for its olive oil that you’ll have a chance to taste together with some other local specialties. We’ll finish the tour in the picturesque town of Bol, enjoying a glass of wine by the sea at their most famous winery. Overnight in Bol.

Breakfast-Light Lunch-Olive Oil tasting-Wine Tasting


Day 4 – September 4
Brač Island – Pakleni Islands

Breakfast on board before sailing towards Pakleni islands. There you will enjoy a swim stop at one of the old submarine tunnels on the island. Lunch will be hosted at one of Croatia’s most exclusive holiday destinations – the restaurant is accessible only by boat on the island of St. Klement. Established over 50 years ago, the restaurant steadily grew to become one of the most prestigious stopovers for gourmet cuisine and resort holiday enthusiasts.

Afternoon is for relaxing like locals, swimming, sunbathing, cocktails on the beach, port talks on cruise, etc. In the evening you will be back on board for the Captain’s dinner. Overnight Pakleni Islands.

Breakfast-Lunch-Captain’s Dinner


Day 5 – September 5
Pakleni Islands – Hvar Island

Breakfast on board while we set sail to Island Hvar, where you will meet a local guide for a private walking tour. Hvar Town has a historic center with impressive landmarks like Spanjola Fortress which offers a panoramic view over the town, harbor, the sea, and neighboring islands. It’s also home to the oldest active public theater in Europe, dating back over 400 years.

The first stop of the tour is Jelsa, a small coastal town which has a very proud and long wine-making tradition. You will have a chance to taste their well known “2718 hours in the bottle”. Other stops include Brusje, Napoleon Road for a view of the islands deepest bays, and Velo Grablje founded in the 14th century.

As you head back, you will visit the enchanting village of Malo Grablje for an authentic Dalmatian lunch. Late afternoon and evening at your leisure. Overnight in Hvar.

Breakfast-Traditional Lunch-Wine Tasting


Day 6 – September 6
Hvar Island – Korčula Island

Breakfast on board as you begin sailing towards the island of Korčula, one of the greenest islands in the Adriatic Sea, with abundant vineyards and olive groves. You will enjoy a swim stop before lunch at the Island of Proizd, close to Vela Luka where we’ll disembark. In the afternoon we arrive at Korčula town. Your local guide will take you on an exclusive tour of old town Korčula, most famously known as the birthplace of Marco Polo in the year 1254.

You will finish the tour with dinner at an amazing local tavern where authentic cuisine full of flavor has been served to guests for over two decades. The tavern recently received a green Michelin star! Free evening in Korčula town. Overnight in Korčula.

Breakfast-Lunch-Olive Oil Tasting-Local Tavern Dinner


Day 7 – September 7
Korcula – Pelješac Peninsula – Trstenik – Ston – Slano

Breakfast will be served aboard the cruise as we set sail for Trstenik. On the way, you will stop for a swim in one of the many picturesque bays dotting the coast. First stop of the day is one of most well-known wineries in Grgich Winery. Famed for their Grgich Hills in Napa, the winery resorted back to their Pelješac roots in the late 1990’s, opening his Croatian cellar.

After the tasting you will head to meet an oysterman. There you will take a short boat ride to the oyster farm in the middle of the bay enjoying a traditional lunch with a glass of wine in hand. Before we head back to our boat, you will visit Ston city, the town with the longest stone wall in Europe (5, 5 km), second longest in the world after the Great Wall of China!

You will return to the ship in the late afternoon and spend the night in Slano. Dinner on board. Overnight in Slano.

Breakfast-Light Lunch of freshly-harvested oysters and mussels with wine-Dinner


Day 8 – September 8
Slano – Dubrovnik

Breakfast on board while sailing towards Dubrovnik. Enjoy your last swim stop at the island of Koločep, called ‘Kalamota’ by locals. Lunch served on board while sailing along the Dubrovnik city walls before finally reaching the last stop of the trip. Surrounded by its fabled medieval walls, Dubrovnik is widely known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” It is a medieval city on the Croatian side of the Adriatic coastline and a treasure trove of cultural and historical monuments. Upon arrival, you will go on a sightseeing tour of the UNESCO-protected Old town.

Spend the afternoon exploring at your leisure, followed by an exclusive farewell dinner in one of the best restaurants in Dubrovnik. Overnight in Dubrovnik.

Breakfast-Lunch-Farewell Dinner


Day 9 – September 9
Dubrovnik – Departure

After breakfast, sadly it will be time to check out and say goodbye. Enjoy your complimentary transfer to the airport/hotel. SRETAN PUT I HVALA! (Bon Voyage and Thank you!)

Breakfast