Wheeling our suitcases along the promenade of Split Harbour, the four of us were keen to check in on our Sail Croatia boat and meet the other 36 people who would cruise the Dalmatia Coast with us to Dubrovnik. We were not surprised to have a group that was about 95% Australians (including the Kiwis!) with a few token Americans, and spotted two familiar faces who we had met at a friend’s wedding last year. It really is a small world we live in.
Settling into a room for seven nights was a complete luxury, and we settled into our routine quickly too: sleeping ’til mid morning, swimming and baking before our three course lunch, then spending the afternoon in the town we would dock at around 3pm, returning in the early hours of the following morning. Every day we stopped somewhere new and went exploring either on foot, bike or kayak seeking out beaches, historical sites, restaurants and winebars.
In all seven towns along the route there was a highlight or experience that made the stop memorable. Day 1 was Makarska, home to a nightclub literally inside a cave on the edge of the beach. Day 2 was the gorgeous village of Stari Grad on the island of Hvar founded in the 4th century BC. Our afternoon here was spent in an organic vineyard where the staff were generous with the ‘tastings’ (i.e. full glasses!) and the local cheese and home made bread was delicious.
Day 3 was Hvar town on Hvar – the St Tropez of Croatia and the place for drinking champagne by the crashing waves at a beach bar, partying all night (we were pretty pleased to be the last back on the boat!) and marvelling at the super yachts in the harbour. One day in Hvar is nowhere near long enough! Day 4 was the pretty island of Vis where we cycled and swam and ate lamb off the spit and drank amazing wine.
Day 5 was the pretty town of Korcula where we kayaked, made a trail through multiple wine bars in town, and feasted on fresh fish and walnut crepes. Day 6 was the island of Mljet which is almost 50% national park and perfect for cycling and swimming in the large saltwater lakes.
Day 7 brought the incredible sight of the fortified city of Dubrovnik and being the last day on the boat the four of us plucked up the courage to jump off the (very high) bow to the applause of our new friends! We walked the full 1.94km of the walls around the city that were built over 1000 years ago, explored the alleys and boutiques within, and capped off an amazing week with yet another amazing meal of tuna, scallops and olive oil cheesecake.
We have been fortunate to have explored so many special places with friends over the years, and this trip has been an incredible experience to share with two of our oldest and dearest. With Steve and Andrew both turning 40 in a few months this trip was planned to celebrate their big milestone and has left us planning our next adventure together! Time now for Steve and Belinda to return to Oz to their gorgeous girls – we are incredibly grateful they could come this far to share this part of the world with us.
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