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SIX DAYS, SIX ISLANDS
AN ADRIATIC SAILING MUSICAL FEATURESA FLUTTERING JIB, CLANGING HALYARDS, AND SPLASHES ON THE BOW WITH AN INTERMISSION OF SIZZLING GRILLS, SINGING CRICKETS, CHIMING CHURCH BELLS AND SEA PLUNGES. STAR IN THIS ROMANTIC PLAY AS YOU EMBARK ON A SAILING HOLIDAY TO THE ENCHANTED ISLANDS OF CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN DALMATIA.
Text: Mila Hvilshøj
With over 1,000 islands dotting the Adriatic coast, it can be challenging to plan an ideal sailing route that will give you a true taste of Dalmatia. We embark on a six-day cruise that takes us to sixpristine islands with six distinct personalities without pushing the limit of time.
DAY 1: STARI GRAD, HVAR
Hop on board in Split and leave the magical Roman palace behind you as youventure to Stari Grad on the island of Hvar, an ancient settlement dating back to 384 BC. Don’t miss a visit to the Stari Grad Plain, a UNESCO-protected agricultural landscape where olives and grapes have been cultivated for over 2,400 years. Taste Hvar’s famous gregadafish stew at Pinetta paired with one of the sunny island’s famed wines before bobbing to sleep in the charming harbor.
DAY 2: PALMIŽANA, ST. KLEMENT
Raise your sails and travel to nearby Palmižana on St.KlementIsland, one of the gems of the Pakleni archipelago. The Meneghello family has nurtured this botanical sanctuary for over a century and they have ensured that a visit here will remain in your best memories forever. Find a hidden beach, take a stroll through Dagmar Meneghello’s art collection or dip your hands into afingerlickin’ pot of scampi on Toto’s palm-shaded terrace.
DAY 3: RAVNIK& VIS TOWN, VIS
After a night in paradise, cruise towardsthe mysterious island of Vis, making a little stopover by the islet of Ravnikfor a refreshing swim and visit to a green cave. Before sunset, approach Vis Town on Vis. Isolated for over 50 years when it was a military base, the island is rugged and virtually untouched. Explore Tito’s tunnels and caves, sip on the island’s white Vugava wines and nibble on a ViškaPogaćasardine focaccia at the Magić Tavern out of town.
DAY 4: ZAKLOPATICA BAY, LASTOVO
Be wakened by the light shining through the porthole and head to ‘lobster island’, Lastovo for a seafood feast in Konoba Triton in the Zaklopatica Bay. Take a 2km stroll to the island’s inland town, protected from pirates, and notice the famed chimneys, which were once status symbols of the old families there.
DAY 5: PROŽURA BAY, MLJET
Cross the sea to the northern shores of Mljet, Croatia’s greenest island and berth in Prožura Bay. Pop a bottle of rosé in the cockpit and take in the vistas of islets in the horizon and the grand Pelješac peninsula as a backdrop. Head toMljet National Park and visit a Benedictine Monastery on a lake island before returning to your tranquil bay for baked fish made in the most magnificent wood-fired ovens at Konoba Mare.
DAY 6: ŠIPAN& DUBROVNIK
Your last day of sailing includes a pit stop to the charming fisherman’s village of Luka Šipanska on Šipan, part of the Elephati archipelagofor a must-try lunch at the reputable KonobaKod Marko on the waterfront. After a hearty bite, release the mooring and sail to the mainland, disembarking in Dubrovnik, the pearl of the Adriatic.
The Dalmatian coast has countless bays and islands to be discovered by sailing holidaymakers but a six day ply to six different islands can still showcase the many personalities and beauties of Central and Southern Dalmatia. After six memorable days at sea, enjoy some time on the mainland with a promenade on the Dubrovnik city walls before venturing within them for a stroll down Stradun lined with 17-century houses, Onofrio’s fountains, bell-towers, and a Franscican monastery.
This post is also available in: Croatian
