Croatia Sailing Adventure: Split to Dubrovnik

Dobro Dosli! Welcome to Croatia. Your adventure begins at a hotel in Split at 2 pm, meeting a local representative and your fellow travellers, before transferring by private van to Trogir Marina. Your skipper will be waiting to meet you and welcome you on board your home for the next eight days. After your welcome meeting, set sail for Solta Island – known for its scenic countryside and excellent olive oil. When you arrive, you can choose to visit a family-run agrotourism estate in Maslinica. Sit down and enjoy a wine tasting paired with local food, while you learn about this village’s local agriculture.

After breakfast onboard, bid farewell to Solta and set sail to Vis – the furthest island from the mainland. On the way, you might stop in for a swim in a nearby sheltered bay. When you arrive, you can take an optional tour to learn about the island’s history – passing between Greek, Roman, Venetian, Napoleonic, Austrian and Italian hands. Visit nuclear fallout shelters, churches and vantage points with great views across the ocean. If you like, you can also take an optional winery tour and indulge in a few glasses of the local vino.

Today, you’ll make your way to Hvar. Along the way, you might stop at the Pakleni Islands or Stoncica for a swim. After arriving in Hvar, you can wander around the towns, home to some wonderfully preserved Renaissance facades. If you like, hike past dramatic jagged limestone cliffs and undulating farms, ancient olive groves and fields of rosemary and lavender. There’s also an option to cross the island by car to Hvar Town – often known as the ‘San Tropez of Croatia’.

Set sail to Lastovo, stopping around Lovista or Scedro for a morning swim. On the way, you’ll also explore some of the 46 islets and reefs around the island’s edges. Over 70 per cent of Lastovo is forested, making it the perfect place to stretch your legs after a day at sea. There's also Venetian architecture from the 15th and 16th centuries and many churches to find in your free time.

Sail through the jewel-like waters to Korcula this morning, stopping at Badija or Polace for a refreshing morning swim. Greeks settled in Korcula in the 6th century BC, but the town was also occupied by the Romans, Slavs and then the Venetians between 1420 and 1797. Even Napoleon was ruler for a while! As a result of all these influences, Korcula has a cosmopolitan Old Town. Alongside the idyllic beaches, you’ll have plenty of options for your free time. Ask your leader for the best dinner recommendations for a good feed.

This morning, you’ll sail for the island of Mljet, stopping for a swim along the way. Legendary in ancient history as the island where the shipwrecked Odysseus lived for seven years, today the island is a haven of lush national parks, forests and small villages. Since Greek sailors sought haven here from storms, the island has been inhabited by Illyrians, Romans, Slavs and Avars. In the 13th century the island was given to the Benedictine order who built a monastery in the middle of one of the island's western lakes – Veliko Jezero. When you arrive, maybe rent a bike and cycle through the national park. Tonight, you could try the local wine – the fields and vineyards that dot the island are the foundation of the local economy, with Mljet's villagers producing wine and olive oil as they have been for hundreds of years.

Depart Mljet and head to the hidden paradise of Elafiti Islands. Made up of three main islands – Kolocep, Lopud and Sipan – the olive groves, citrus trees and ancient ruins provide a scenic backdrop for lunch. Then, sail on to the marina near Komolac. You can then head into Dubrovnik for your final night with the group (there’s a regular bus service) or stay close and enjoy dinner and drinks at the marina.