Croatia is a sailor’s paradise with over 3500 miles of coastline bordering the beautiful Adriatic. The sailing area falls naturally in to three areas. To the north and west the area around Pula is known as Istria and was known by the Romans as “Terra Magica”. There is a strong Italian influence and this is reflected in the architecture, language and food. The Roman amphitheatre in Pula is a must. The town of Rovinj to the north is a real treasure with narrow streets and alleyways emerging in to courtyards with cafes and restaurants dotted in between. A cocktail in Valentino’s is taken literally “on the rocks” as you enjoy the view from the rocky vantage point (cushions are provided!) The islands around Istria include Krk and Cres, two of the largest islands in the Adriatic and further to the south east, Pag is famous for its cheese as most restaurant menus will proclaim!

To the south of Istria are the Kornati Islands. This group of over 100 islands are usually uninhabited except for a few farmers who visit to tend olive groves and graze sheep. Easily accessed from Zadar on the mainland this area is a national park and the beauty and tranquillity of the islands is preserved almost exclusively for yachtsmen. Occasional fishing villages provide simple restaurants and bars but few other tourists are to be found and anchorages are mostly deserted. There are a few marinas with good facilities when you need them but mostly it is you, the islands and the wildlife….very peaceful.

To the south of the Kornati National Park follow the river inland past the large town of Sibenik to the pretty village of Skradin with its marina. From here you can take a boat to the Krka waterfalls, an unmissable natural phenomenon. The islands to the south and west of Split offer a mixture of pretty Venetian towns and small fishing villages sprinkled with a few superb marinas. The town of Trogir is particularly impressive and a world heritage site. Brac, Hvar, Korctula and Vis provide a natural sailing area to explore at your leisure. Finally to the very south and east of the country is Dubrovnik. This superb walled town is known as “The pearl of the Adriatic” and has a wealth of beauty and culture to explore.