Craving Croatia

It’s only a couple of decades ago that the country of Croatia, boasting an inviting stretch of coastline on the eastern side of the Adriatic Sea in the Mediterranean, was almost an unknown destination. Formed in the aftermath of the Balkan conflict of the early 1990s, Croatia may be relatively new as an independent nation, but it boasts ancient history that seeps through its pores at every turn.

In the very early 2000s, the extraordinary coastline, with its dramatic scenery, myriad islands and dozens of hidden villages and towns, began to garner the attention of small sailing yacht cruisers. Here was an unspoilt, relatively undiscovered realm of opportunity, whose reliable winds and reliably calm waters made it a fantastic sailing yacht destination. Little by little the superyachts cottoned on to the potential of the place.

It’s still considered something of a hidden gem of a destination, without the resort towns and the crowded waters of other areas of the Eastern and Western Med, but at the same time it offers a top-notch experience for any visiting superyacht owner or charterer looking for an adventure in beautiful land where there is still room to find a bay to get away from it all, and from everyone – even close to the main towns and cities. Of course, Split and Dubrovnik also featured heavily as locations in the TV series Game of Thrones, so fans of the show will already know how stunning the country is.

“Croatia is one of the best country destinations for yachting,” says Aymen Boulehmi, a charter broker who specialises in the Adriatic. “You don’t have open sea, which means the water is always calm, and the islands are very close to each other – that means you see a lot, and in a week you can visit seven islands, at least one city and maybe two, and you can experience most of the Croatian coastline.”

Split – a city with a Roman heart

Often the start or end point for a charter or cruise, Split lies in the middle of Croatia’s Adriatic coast. The country’s second largest city and the capital of the Dalmatia region, it is a stunning blend of modern and ancient. As a major tourist and transport hub, it boasts everything you need for your yacht charter or superyacht cruise, but it’s the centre of the city itself that really draws you in.

From Italianate piazzas and narrow medieval streets to a plethora of bars, restaurants, shops and museums, the city is a pristine and welcoming hub of bustling throngs. At its heart is the astonishing palace of the Roman emperor Diocletian, and the vast array of Roman ruins, streets and underground passages is home to chic hotels, market stalls, bars and history. “Split is a very beautiful city, full of culture and history that will get a hold of you and not let go,” says Boulehmi. “It’s a great location for superyacht owners and superyacht charterers to start or end their yacht cruises, and it has its own international airport nearby.”

Hvar, Vis and Brac – island life and pristine towns

Located just a couple of hours cruising from Split, these three islands offer three gorgeously different and wonderfully laid-back takes on the potential for Croatian superyacht cruising. Hvar boasts a pristine harbour town with a horseshoe quay capable of taking superyachts, all overlooked by 13th century walls and an imposing hilltop fortress that makes for a perfect pre-dinner explore.

Vis is quiet, warm and welcoming, offering inviting bars and bistros along its yawn of a waterfront and the allure of St Jerome’s church and monastery, built over an ancient Roman theatre, which sticks out into the bay on a small peninsular. Brac offers everything from a beach to myriad coves where you can take your yacht’s stern lines ashore and lie to anchor to make the most of the solitude, stunning waters and serious potential of your superyacht’s watertoys chest.

Krka National Park – wonderful waterfalls

One of eight national parks in Croatia, Krka National Park lies six miles inland but still offers everything to do with water, encompassing two-thirds of the Krka river – it’s the home of the Skradinski Buk cascading waterfalls, one of the most famous of Croatia’s destinations. There are also a huge variety of flora and fauna, including 18 species of bats that call the park home.

“Krka has everything, including several spectacular waterfalls,” says Boulehmi, “and there’s also the tiny island of Visovac in the river with its monastery. Krka is indicative of the variety that Croatian national parks offer. For instance, another park in the north of the country comprises more than 600 islands – it’s beautiful, and you can easily stay for several days exploring those islands, most of which you will have all to yourself.”

Mljet National Park – lazy lake days

An island famous for its two saltwater lakes, Mljet is the perfect spot to unwind and to explore untouched nature. Located just south of Split off the Dalmatian coast, you come to Mljet to lose yourself in the peace of place, or give in to temptation and take a plunge in the stunning emerald and azure waters of Malo Jezero (The Small Lake).

“Mljet island also has Veliko Jezero (The Big Lake), in the centre of which is a smaller island! It has an old Benedictine monastery you can visit, and a restaurant,” Boulehmi enthuses. “People love going to Mljet to hike or bike and to just explore nature.”

Dubrovnik – sitting on the tourist throne

Stunning medieval architecture and a picture postcard location have put Dubrovnik not only at the top of the Mediterranean tourist map, but also on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage Sites. Oh, and there’s the small fact that the city and its fortifications were heavily featured as locations in an HBO TV series called Game of Thrones.

“Dubrovnik has garnered international recognition and everyone wants to go there, and not just because of its connection to Game of Thrones,” says Boulehmi. “It really is a stunning city and you can happily wander for hours through the beautiful old town, historical centre and Old Port.”

The perfect superyacht cruise and charter destination

Croatia is a country of gems, with enough life in the towns and the cities to satisfy even the most demanding of bon vivants, and enough peace, tranquillity, beauty and solitude in the stunning waters to ensure you unwind from the stresses of everyday life while on board and can spend precious time with family and friends.

“It’s not just about the scenery – the food is great too,” adds Boulehmi. “It’s the best of Mediterranean cuisine combined with a little bit of Balkan culture and flavours. The food is fresh, and is accompanied by incredible local wines and delicious local olive oils. You can even visit vineyards and enjoy wine-tasting and olive-oil tasting in spectacular grounds, and there are private restaurants dotted all over the place that you can reserve just for you and your guests – imagine, a small restaurant on a remote island just for you, and they will bring you fish fresh from the sea and prepare and cook it in a special way in front of you.

“There are so many authentic experiences that are hard to find anywhere else,” he concludes, “and they stay in the memories of everyone who cruises or charters here.”