TOUR AT A GLANCE - Croatia Walk & Sail
Duration: 8 Days/7 Nights
Departures 2010: Sept. 25, as well as private departures. Contact us for details!
Departing from: Split, Saturday 3 p.m. Day 1
Finishes in: Split, Saturday morning Day 8
Price: €3,400 per person based on double occupancy and a full boat of 12 people. Single supplement: €450.
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Croatia is one of Europe’s hottest destinations. Home to some 1,600 islands and blessed with a warm climate, clear waters, and natural beauty, it has been coveted by Roman Emperors, the Venetian Republic, and now Europe’s jet-set. Our trip begins and ends in fascinating Split, a thriving port on the Adriatic Sea that is built around one of the most interesting Roman ruins anywhere in the world. After a day exploring this beautiful city, we board our private yacht or sailboat (depending on size of group you may have an 80-foot traditional “Turkish gulet” or a luxury catamaran). The yacht serves as our hotel and our transport to access wonderful walks throughout the islands, then we anchor in secluded bays at night. The sea is a gorgeous turquoise, the islands are redolent with lavender, vineyards, and olive groves, and the towns we visit welcome you with their rich history and beautiful architecture. Many of our walking paths are only accessible by sea, so there is a real sense of exploration as we follow ancient paths to deserted ruins or tranquil farm villages. This really is a unique trip, a wonderful combination of stimulating discovery and indulgent relaxation.
The Boats – There is no better way to explore these beautiful islands than by private yacht. Larger groups can go by “gulet” — an all-wood two-masted sailing ketch, that is broad-beamed for extra stability and deck space. They can sleep 12 and are around 26 meters long (84 feet), and all cabins have an en suite bathroom and shower. Smaller groups can rent a luxury catamaran with skipper and cook. They have four spacious cabins, each with its own bathroom, and lots of deck space. Using a boat means we can unpack for a week and yet our floating hotel has a different view every day! Furthermore, it means that you choose to stay on the yacht, have a swim, try sea kayaking, or just relax on deck while the others walk. All of the sea travel is done during the day, so nights are generally serene (no seasickness!).
Day 1 – Saturday: Arrival in Split and Boarding our Yacht
Arrive independently in Split. There are several flights a day from European hubs or ferries from Italy. Meet your guide(s) and the rest of your group at 3:00 p.m. at the Adriana Hotel, right on Split’s waterfront (if you plan on arriving early you may choose to stay wherever you like; contact us for prices and availability of hotels). Take some time to explore the historic city center, which was built around the Roman Emperor Diocletian’s Palace. Built in 295 AD as his retirement home (the only Emperor ever to retire!), it covers more than 3,000 square meters and was built with materials brought from Egypt and Greece. The palace included exquisite temples, vast reception chambers, and extensive private apartments within its huge walls, and now forms the nucleus of the modern city. We board our yacht in Split or the nearby city of Trogir, and then cruise out into the sparkling Adriatic. A one-hour cruise takes us to the island of Šolta, so we can get settled in and then enjoy a swim. Time permitting, we will put into one of the tranquil beautiful bays along the north coast for a short hike and a chance to explore the small fishing villages along the coast. Dinner on board.
Day 2 – Sunday: Bobovišca – Milna (Brac Island)
Enjoy a morning swim before motoring over to the west coast of Brac island, the biggest in the Croatian archipelago. We put into the lovely seaside town of Bobovišca and then walk up to the historic village of Ložišca before dropping down into the colorful bay of Milna, which harbored the ships of Emperor Diocletian during Roman times. Relax in town this afternoon at one of the town’s many seaside cafés. Dinner on board.
Day 3 – Monday: Vis town or Komiža (Vis Island)
Transfer over to Vis Island this morning, a leisurely 2-hour journey past the west coast of Hvar. Formerly off-limits to tourists and part of the Croatian military, it now boasts some of Dalmatia’s best wines and two beautiful historical seaside villages. Depending on prevailing winds we will moor near Vis Town or on the other side of the island at Komiža. Both options allow for fabulous walks along the island’s rocks coastline. Dinner in town.
Day 4 – Tuesday: Brusje – Malo Grabjle – Hvar town (Hvar Island)
Today we motor over to Hvar Island and take a short van transfer up to the village of Brusje at the western summit of the island. The dramatic ride through stony fields and past cliffside vineyards will give you an idea of why Hvar is among the “Ten Most Beautiful Islands in the World,” according to a recent poll. We disembark in the town and then begin our walk down to the deserted village of Malo Grablje, a haunting reminder of this island’s (and the nation’s) difficult past. We can have lunch here or continue on to the seaside town of Milna, then walk into historic Hvar town. The town of Hvar is one of the most beautiful in Croatia, and it attracts all of the “beautiful people” to its shores! Come and join them for a stroll along the waterfront, then return to the boat for dinner. Dinner on board.
Day 5 – Wednesday: Vrboska – Jelsa – Pitve and the winery zone (Hvar Island)
Enjoy a morning walk on Saint Clement island, just off the coat of Hvar town, then relax on board as the gulet motors around to the north side of the island. We’ll stop for a swim and some lunch on board before disembarking in the protector harbor of Jelsa. This afternoon we will have a wine tasting at one of Croatia’s most reknowned wineries, then move on to dinner at a local “konoba” for some traditional Croatian fare. Dinner in town.
Day 6 – Thursday: Bol – Blaca Monastery – Splitska (Brac Island)
Cruise around to the south side of Brac island this morning and disembark at the village of Bol for a foamy cappuccino and some of the best pastries around. We then motor a short distance along the coast and disembark for a short climb to the Blaca Hermitage, a 400-year-old hermitage built into the cliffs by monks fleeing the Turks in 1550 and which remained in use until 1962! We walk back down to the boat and then motor along the coast to a quiet cove for a swim and then dinner. Dinner on board.
Day 7 – Friday: Skrip – Dol (Brac Island)
Walk along the coast this morning before starting up on a short uphill through the stony terrain to the historical hamlet of Skrip. We visit a fascinating archaeology museum, featuring pieces from the island’s neolithic, Greek, Roman and Venetian past. We then walk between the vineyards and olive groves to Dol, another ancient town that now boasts several small restaurants and a winery. 
Walk back to the coast to pick up our boat for a swim and then a motor along the coast before drinks and dinner. Dinner on board.
Day 8 – Saturday: Disembark back in Split (optional extension by bus to Dubrovnik)
The trip ends this morning after breakfast back in Split. Breakfast included.
Day 9 – ** Optional extention to Dubrovnik: while you are on the Dalmatian coast, don’t miss the UNESCO World Heritage city of Dubrovnik. We transfer by van (about 4 hours) along the coastal road, then check into our hotel in the Lapad district of this beautiful peninsula. This afternoon we have a visit of the old town, known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” The town is encircled by more than a mile of huge stone walls originally built between the 13th and 16th centuries to protect the city from invaders coming from the sea. Stay another day or two to visit some of the outlying islands, like nearby Lokrum or the beautiful city of Korcula, birthplace of Marco Polo! Contact us for details. We can offer a fully-guided two or three-day option, or just set you up in a hotel.
The walks in Croatia:we will be walking through cities, along farm properties, through woods and over scrubby terrain. It is often rocky (hiking shoes are a must) and there are some short climbs. We walk anywhere from 2–5 hours a day, with options to extend or shorten the walk. Of course, the boat allows us the option of really relaxing and watching the beautiful coastline unfold as you lie on deck with a good book. The choice is yours.
General Information
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Qualifications: This trip is rated moderate to easy. Some prior hiking experience is beneficial but anyone in good physical condition will have no problems with the walks. We will regularly be walking between 10-14 km a day (6-8 miles), which translates into about 3-4 hours of walking a day, more or less equally divided between morning and afternoon. Trip Cost Includes: all accommodations (7 nights on private yacht); 7 breakfasts, lunches & dinners; at least one Customwalks guide; passage aboard a luxury yacht (all cabins with en suite toilets, showers, and air-conditioning); all van and luggage transfers during the week, all visits as noted in the itinerary. Getting there (this will redirect you to our “Getting to the Trip” page) Booking: e-mail us to receive a booking contract (or use the “Reservation” page).Insurance: We highly recommend the purchase of Trip Insurance. We recommend “Travel Guard” to our American clients, just click on the logo below, while Canadian residents can click here. Australian, New Zealander, and British travelers, please consult your insurance brokers.  We look forward to having you join us for the trip of a lifetime! |
