Croatia

The Croatian coast, including islands, cliffs and reefs, is 5.835 km long. There are 1.185 island, islets and reefs in the Adriatic Sea, so it is not strange that it is known as a land of "Thousand Islands". Each of the islands has its own particular story and place in history.
Croatia covers an area of great diversity and it is a place of rare beauty. What makes Croatian people proud is the untouchable nature protected in numerous nature reserves and eight national parks (Islands Brijuni, Kornati and Mljet, River Krka, Plitvice Lakes, Paklenica canyon, Risnjak wooded mountain massive and north part of the mountain massive Velebit).

DUBROVNIK
Jewel of the Dalmatian coast, girded in 9th century walls that rise cheerily from the water's edge, Dubrovnik is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe and miraculously escaped serious damage in the recent war. Within the ancient fortifications is a labyrinth of alleyways and a striking Renaissance boulevard called the 'Stradun.' Dubrovnik is not only beautiful, it is an architectural marvel. This medieval walled city is over 1,000 years old and virtually untouched by the modern world. Dubrovnik has been listed as a city-monument on the UNESCO cultural heritage register. Particular sights of interest include the oldest pharmacy in Europe, located in the Friars Minor monastery (1317).

MLJET
Mljet is situated only 17 miles from Korcula's. It is a green paradise, unique in the Mediterranean because of its environment. As a consequence of the rising sea level, two beautiful salt lakes were created on the island: Veliko and Malo Jezero, which are surrounded by luxuriant pine and oak woods. Because of its extraordinary beauty, this part of the island was proclaimed a national park in 1960.

KORCULA
Korcula's contains many monuments dating from its days under Venetian rule. It was the home of famed traveler Marco Polo. His house may be visited - though little remains but his garden and a staircase to the tower from which he is presumed to have gazed out on the world and deemed it a place to explore. An interesting feature in Korcula's is the manner in which its streets were re-built in the thirteenth century. Most of the lanes run west to east in order to block out the northeastern Bora, a cold and powerful wind that at times stirs up the Adriatic while allowing the gentle Mistral breezes from another direction to air-condition the town.
On the island of Korcula's (pronounced "kor-chew-la"), exploration is more than a pastime, its heritage.

For tourists wanting to follow Polo's footsteps closer to home, the explorer's birthplace is near the almost 700-year-old Saint Peter's Church, another popular sightseeing destination. Shipbuilding and stonecutting played vital roles in Korcula's economy for centuries. Pine forests provided the raw materials for ships, and ships provided transportation for Korcula's stone, which was once well known throughout Europe and used in many palaces. Korcula's heritage comes alive in a traditional dance that has been performed for more than four centuries. The Moreska sword dance depicts the battle of two kings and their armies for the love of a beautiful girl.

BISEVO
Southwest is the island Bisevo, of an area of 6 square kilometers. There are many caves in 'chiseled' into the steep coasts, among which 'Modra Spilja' stands out with an above-sea level and below-sea level entrance. When the sea is calm the light rays that shine in the cave break in such a way against the cave walls that the objects and people inside it are covered in blue and those in the water a silvery color.

VIS
Island Vis, the beauty of limpid waters and protected submarine world rich with sunken ships and magic marine images that has been hidden for years. Vis is the most westerly of the larger Croatian islands and the oldest established town in Dalmatia, founded in 397 B.C. by the ruler of Sicily, Dionysus - the Latin name for the island is Issa. In World War II, the island was major base for British troops stationed there and there is a British military cemetery on the island. After 1945, Vis was closed to tourism by the Yugoslav army and only reopened when Croatia declared its independence in 1990. Some of the most exclusive wines in Croatia are produced there, such as Plavac and Vugava.

KRKA National Park
The Krka National Park is an area of outstanding natural beauty boasts countless inter-connected lakes and waterfalls with the opportunity of short boat tours or walks around the many bridges and footpaths. The Franciscan monastery of Visovac located in the middle of one of the lakes makes a picturesque visit.

KORNATI National Park
Kornati National Park, which includes a bigger part of Kornati archipelago, covers an area of 218 km sq. and consists of 89 islands, islets and reefs. An impressive contrast between bare, almost desert like land and a rich and erogenous underwater world is the best feature of the area. The fascinating crowns on the islands facing the open sea, remarkable geomorphology of the land, but also the magnificent scenery, the mystical submarine world and amazing harmony of nature and man that inhabits the area are only a few of the numerous priceless properties adorning this region.

TROGIR
Trogir is a city that usually is visited "casually" and the main impression after a first visit is: How is possible that a place of similar beauty isn't on the top of promotion of Croatia as well as Dubrovnik? Trogir is a wonderful old city surrounded by the sea, with stone covered streets and buildings with characteristic white color are unique and unforgettable. Old Trogir is an UNESCO heritage from 1997. It is situated on island between the coast and island Ciovo (connected with a bridge). The major part of old town is protected by the walls and on the southern part there is a beautiful shore with palms. Except of Cathedral and fascinating portal of Master Radovan, it is possible to see a lot of historical buildings as Kamerlengo and St. Marco castle, North and South City Door, St. Nicholas tower, Cipiko palace, many churches and monasteries.

After important historical monuments there are a countless quantity of anonymous old house with old family's stems above the doors, fascinate architectonic details lost in some corner or court with old stone well. The main city square with Cathedral is particularly charming, but it is also an unique feeling to take a walk on a sunshine shore (riva) or get lose yourself inside of narrow streets of old town. Island Ciovo in some sense is a "Trogir's beach" where the Trogir's medieval nobles used to build the villas.

Find much more information and sample itineraries at Distincive Yachts