Join Alena Zilayova, senior charter manager at YPI, Monaco as she offers an exclusive itinerary around the southern tip of Croatia, taking in some of the regions historic and cultural sites.
Alena Zilayova was born in Slovakia, and speaks five languages including English, French and Russian. Her career to date has taken her all over the globe working in event management and marketing, before making the change into the world of superyacht charters. She joined YPI earlier this year and now organises charters all over the world, including Croatia, where she has fallen in love with what the region has to offer.
Day 1: Kotor – Dubrovnik
Start your charter in the old Mediterranean port of Kotor surrounded by fortifications built during the Venetian period. Kotor has one of the best preserved medieval old towns in the Adriatic and is a UNESCO world heritage site. It is home to numerous sights, such as the Cathedral of Saint Tryphon in the old town (built in
1166), and the ancient walls which stretch for 4.5 km directly above the city.
In the afternoon set sail for Dubrovnik and enjoy a gourmet dinner in the restaurant 360° that is situated on the city walls and offers breathtaking views over the city or Nautika that has welcomed lots of celebrities.
Day 2: Dubrovnik – Sipan
Wake up in the new Dubrovnik Marina ACI. Take a breakfast on board after which a limousine will take you to explore the old town of Dubrovnik. Your yacht will meet you in the Dubrovnik harbour and will take you for a delicious lunch at anchor beneath the city walls.
Set sail for Sipan, a quaint little village with numerous walking paths and a great restaurant called KOD MARKA situated at the waterfront. Make sure you try their amberjack, octopus ball and smoked tuna salad. Overnight in the Sipanska Luka port.
Day 3:Sipan – Mljet
After a leisurely breakfast on board set sail for the Polace Bay on the Mjet island. Take a refreshing swim in the crystal clear water and enjoy a sea food lunch on board. After lunch visit the Mljet National Park, a large area that borders two salt water lakes – Veliko and Malo Jezero (Large and Small Lake). You can walk there, ride a bike or rent a kayak. The Lakes stretch for about four kilometres.
Take a little shuttle boat to discover a small island / islet Melita (Sveta Marija) with a large building of former Benedictine monastery dating back to the 12th century situated right in the middle of the Large Lake.
For supper try black risotto (cuttlefish risotto) in the Ankora restaurant in the Polace Bay.
Day 4: Peljesac – Korcula
You will leave Mljet for Peljesac after breakfast. Peljesac is famous for its excellent vineyards. Explore two of them and try their amazing wines, cheese and oil of olives. Vinarija Matusko offers educational tours on wine making as well as a stylish room for meetings or wine tasting. Vinarija Kota Katarina is located in stunning surroundings by the beach and there is soon to be a hotel rumoured to open in 2015.
Sail for Korcula – admire the sunset in the Tower Bar Massimo sipping delicious drinks, have dinner at Konoba Mareta in the old town, stop by the Niki Bar and dance the night away at the Gaudi disco.
Day 5: Korcula
After breakfast have a stroll around the old town of Korcula and visit St. Mark’s Cathedral. Set course for Vela Luka, another place on the island. Anchor at a little bay and take a 20 minute walk to a quaint tavern Gulin to have a true cultural experience of Croatia. Enjoy the barbecue and medieval way of cooking, smoking meat or fish and try their home made wine. Get enchanted by beautiful KLAPPA singing performed by a male choir while you are tasting your meal. In the afternoon sail to Hvar Island and spend an evening there, have supper at the Gariful Restaurant and take a drink at the Carpe Diem Bar.
Day 6: Hvar
After breakfast on board set off to explore a 16th century Fortress perched on the hill above the town offering amazing views. Afterwards take a kayaking tour around the bay and stop over at the Carpe Diem Beach club for a drink. Have a delicious lunch on board and take course for Solta.
Call in at the new Marina in Maslinica, visit the castle Martinis Marchi transformed into a luxury boutique hotel with 6 suites, spa, a swimming pool and a great restaurant. Have a gourmet dinner and enjoy your evening in nice, mysterious surrounding of the castle.
Day 7: Trogir
Visit the historic town and harbour of Trogir included in the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Take a guided tour around Trogir’s medieval core surrounded by walls and comprising a preserved castle, tower and a series of dwellings and palaces from the Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque periods. See Trogir’s grandest building
- the church of St. Lawrence.
Or take it easy, enjoy a drink in one of the little cafes and go shopping for coral jewellery. Have dinner on board or try local cuisine in one of the numerous restaurants.