Croatia And Montenegro Sailing Adventure

Dobro Dosli! Welcome to Croatia. Situated on a small peninsula on the eastern shores of the Adriatic Sea, Split is the second-largest city in Croatia. A cultural hub of old-time-y architecture and coastal bliss, you can get lots of local interaction in Split. If you’d like to explore this city properly, it’s recommended you arrive a couple of days early. Your trip begins with a welcome meeting at 3 pm at the ACI Marina. The first port of call is the local supermarket to buy supplies as a group. You set sail this afternoon, heading for Brac. Sunny Brac is the largest island in central Dalmatia, set among steep cliffs and a distinctly Mediterranean landscape. Villagers have farmed wine, olive oil, figs and almonds in the rugged interior of this rock-strewn island for centuries, but the small, beach-side towns draw the crowds. Brac's most famous export is the gleaming white stone mined from the island's quarries, cladding buildings as deep in antiquity as Diocletian's Palace and even as far as the White House in Washington DC. Take a leisurely cruise along the coast, soaking up the sunshine and scenery. Go for a paddle in the aquamarine sea or snorkel and spot sea anemones, crabs, sea urchins and small fish. Anchor for the night in the main town of Bol or a nearby cove, depending on the weather.Accommodation: Overnight boat

For the next few days, you’ll sail along the Dalmatian Coast. Voyage along the Neretvanski Channel away from the mainland to Hvar – the 'Queen of the Dalmatian Islands'. Wander around towns with wonderfully preserved Renaissance facades, hike past dramatic jagged limestone cliffs and slow your pace to enjoy the undulating farms, ancient olive groves and fields of rosemary and lavender. Settle in for an afternoon of beach-hopping, enjoying fresh seafood from the day's catch and kick back with cocktails on the waterfront. Cruise to Vis – the furthest island from the mainland. In 1944 the island was declared a military zone, and foreigners could not access it until 1989. Because of this long isolation, Vis has retained its charm and laid-back lifestyle. The island’s south side is home to some of the most eye-catching coves and beaches. Maybe you’d like to take an optional island tour here, where you can visit nuclear fallout shelters, churches and vantage points with great views across the ocean. If the tide is low, visit the stunning blue grotto of Cave Bisevo. Sail along the pebbled beaches, black pine groves and Peljesac Peninsula’s stony cliffs through jewel-like waters towards Korcula. Natives of Korcula believe Marco Polo was born on the island (the Venetians have other ideas). This island has had many inhabitants and settlers, from the Greeks and the Romans to the Slavs and the Venetians. Even Napoleon was ruler for a while! As a result of all these influences, Korcula has a stunning Old Town – romantic and evocative. Sail to Lastovo – the largest island in its archipelago. Along with Mljet, this very mild Mediterranean climate is the most wooded island in Croatia, with over 70 per cent being forest. This is part of the reason it was declared a national park in 2007. The first inhabitants of Lastovo were the Illyrians, followed by the Romans after they conquered Dalmatia. Noted for its Venetian architecture from the 15th and 16th centuries, it's also known for its many churches. Set sail for the picturesque island of Mljet. Legendary in ancient history as the idyllic island where the shipwrecked Odysseus lived for seven years, the island is a haven of lush parks, forests and small villages. Since Greek sailors sought respite 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. Explore karst valleys and catch your reflection in inky blue lakes on a guided tour through the national park. Wander beneath cool pine forests, through chasms and gorges and discover ruins such as the remains of an Illyrian fortification, a Roman palace and a 5th century church. These ruins are on opposite ends of the island, so keep this in mind when exploring. In the evening, perhaps 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 the picturesque Mljet and head to the hidden paradise of Elafiti Islands. Elafiti is made up of three main islands – Kolocep (known as the green island due to the 100-year-old pine groves, carol trees, olive groves and citrus trees), Lopud (with spectacular parks and beaches, this island is one of the best developed touristic islands in the area) and Sipan (the largest of the island group with a long history of stories and legends, considered one of the jewels of the area). Sail towards Dubrovnik and dock at the ACI Marina near Komolac, approximately 8 km from the Old Town. You’ll have free time today to relax on the boat or explore Dubrovnik. Maybe you’d like to head into Old Town with the group or enjoy dinner and drinks at the marina.Accommodation: Overnight boat

This morning, you have free time to explore Dubrovnik at your own pace. This city straight-from-the-past has lots to offer, from guided tours through famed Game of Thrones filming locations to free hikes with amazing medieval and coastal views. At around 3 pm you'll have a second welcome meeting as a group, then head to a local supermarket for the week’s onboard meals. After, embark and start sailing to Sipan – the largest island in the Elaphiti Islands northwest of Dubrovnik. With a long history of stories and legends, this island is one of the jewels of the archipelago. When you arrive. Maybe head out to dinner with your group at one of the beautiful restaurants on the island.