DESTINATION 46 C Nearly 1300 islands, only 50 of which are inhabited. Imagine the number of anchorages available in Croatia... Imagine: 6000 kilometers of coast, bordered by some 1200 islands, most of which are uninhabited, and all this in a warm sea tinged with turquoise. Yet here you aren’t in a lagoon on the other side of the world, but on the Adriatic coast of Croatia, a magic destination for your summer holidays! C ROATIA LOGBOOK Croatia’s history has merged with that of Europe since...ancient times and even before, as Stone Age remains from over 300,000 years ago have been found here. Lovers of history, archaeology and art will therefore be delighted to discover this land with a thousand different facets, which developed following the throes of Europe and its conflicts. For 100 years, this region was part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, of Yugoslavia, then became Croatia in 1991, and will soon be joining the European Union... Croatia is a real sailing paradise, with three large cruising areas: Istria – the biggest Croatian peninsula, Kvarner, and its wild coasts, and the famous Dalmatia, with hun- dreds of islands, less than fifty of which are inhabited. From Zadar in the north of Dalmatia, to Split then Dubrovnik in the south, you will discover an incredible area, steeped in history (Zadar was founded 3000 years ago) and treasures classified as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO. TYPICAL ITINERARY George Bernard Shaw often repeated that “people looking for paradise on earth should come to Dubrovnik.” Let’s follow his example then, and go and discover Croatia, but in a catamaran - the best way. But be warned, there is so much to see and do in Dalmatia, that in eight days, you will only scratch the surface of what the destination has to offer you. Most of the charter com- panies have bases all along the Dalmatian coast, which is moreover well provided with modern, practical marinas. You will there- fore easily be able to alternate between wild anchorages and evenings ashore, depending on the crew’s choices and wishes. Whatever you do, you must not miss: PLAYING AT ROBINSON CRUSOE: THE KORNATI ISLANDS. The Kornati Islands national park is made up of 89 small and large islands, which are like little rocks thrown by the hands of the gods into the Adriatic. On these desert islands, rounded in some places, with steep cliffs in others, there are just a few fishermen’s houses. Here we find protected flora (more than 700 varieties) and incredible fauna, with falcons, eagle owls, buzzards and a seabed covered with crystal-clear water. THE GOLDEN ISLAND: BRAC Situated about twenty miles from Split, the island of Brac offers some wonderful beaches, such as that of the Zlatni Rat, and lush vegetation of Aleppo pines, scrub, olive trees... It’s a big island which has remained rural, where rocks are omnipresent, giving hilly country, perfect for walking. There are several little harbors, amongst which we remember Pucisca for its quarry of white stone, with which Diocletian’s Palace was built, as well as the White House in Washington, Povlja for its excellent ancho- rage deep in the bay, and also the charming Milna, where you can fill up with fuel THE TRENDY ISLAND: HVAR Hvar is one of the most beautiful islands in Croatia. It is really surprising: on the one hand the remarkable Hvar harbor, and its fashionable night life in summer, and on the other, its deep-rooted traditions of cultiva- ting lavender, vines and olive trees. And steep hills everywhere, plunging into the blue of the sea.
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C Nearly 1300 islands, only 50 ofwhich are inhabited. Imagine thenumber of anchorages available in Croatia...
Imagine: 6000 kilometers of coast, bordered by some 1200 islands,most of which are uninhabited, and all this in a warm sea tinged withturquoise. Yet here you aren’t in a lagoon on the other side of theworld, but on the Adriatic coast of Croatia, a magic destination for yoursummer holidays!
CROATIA
LOGBOOKCroatia’s history has merged with that ofEurope since...ancient times and evenbefore, as Stone Age remains from over300,000 years ago have been found here.Lovers of history, archaeology and art willtherefore be delighted to discover this landwith a thousand different facets, whichdeveloped following the throes of Europeand its conflicts. For 100 years, this regionwas part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, ofYugoslavia, then became Croatia in 1991,and will soon be joining the EuropeanUnion...Croatia is a real sailing paradise, with threelarge cruising areas: Istria – the biggestCroatian peninsula, Kvarner, and its wildcoasts, and the famous Dalmatia, with hun-dreds of islands, less than fifty of which areinhabited. From Zadar in the north ofDalmatia, to Split then Dubrovnik in thesouth, you will discover an incredible area,steeped in history (Zadar was founded 3000years ago) and treasures classified as WorldHeritage Sites by UNESCO.
TYPICAL ITINERARYGeorge Bernard Shaw often repeated that“people looking for paradise on earthshould come to Dubrovnik.” Let’s follow hisexample then, and go and discover Croatia,but in a catamaran - the best way. But bewarned, there is so much to see and do inDalmatia, that in eight days, you will onlyscratch the surface of what the destinationhas to offer you. Most of the charter com-panies have bases all along the Dalmatiancoast, which is moreover well provided withmodern, practical marinas. You will there-fore easily be able to alternate betweenwild anchorages and evenings ashore,depending on the crew’s choices andwishes. Whatever you do, you must notmiss:
PLAYING AT ROBINSON CRUSOE:THE KORNATI ISLANDS.
The Kornati Islands national park is made upof 89 small and large islands, which are likelittle rocks thrown by the hands of the godsinto the Adriatic. On these desert islands,rounded in some places, with steep cliffs inothers, there are just a few fishermen’shouses. Here we find protected flora (more
than 700 varieties) and incredible fauna,with falcons, eagle owls, buzzards and aseabed covered with crystal-clear water.
THE GOLDEN ISLAND: BRACSituated about twenty miles from Split, theisland of Brac offers some wonderfulbeaches, such as that of the Zlatni Rat, andlush vegetation of Aleppo pines, scrub, olivetrees... It’s a big island which has remainedrural, where rocks are omnipresent, givinghilly country, perfect for walking. There areseveral little harbors, amongst which weremember Pucisca for its quarry of whitestone, with which Diocletian’s Palace wasbuilt, as well as the White House inWashington, Povlja for its excellent ancho-rage deep in the bay, and also the charmingMilna, where you can fill up with fuel
THE TRENDY ISLAND: HVARHvar is one of the most beautiful islands inCroatia. It is really surprising: on the onehand the remarkable Hvar harbor, and itsfashionable night life in summer, and on theother, its deep-rooted traditions of cultiva-ting lavender, vines and olive trees. Andsteep hills everywhere, plunging into theblue of the sea.
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From Split to Dubrovnik, via Zadar, Croatia holds treasures, to be discovered by sea...
NEEL 45 IN THE MEDITERRANEANSo how about sailing on a cruising trimaran this summer? The Neel 45offers incredible accommodation, including really attractive cabins with aview of the sea, along with top level performance and excitement at thehelm. There are several Neel 45s available for charter in the West Indiesand now in the Mediterranean. The ideal platform for going to discoverCorsica. For more information: www.emeraudemulticoques.com orwww.major-boats.com
CORSICA, THE ESSENTIAL DESTINATIONCorsica is one of the most beautiful destinations to visit in a catamaran. Anew charter company has been based in Ajaccio for a year now, andamongst others, is offering some Lagoons (380 – 440 – 450) as well as anOutremer 49. Note that Ajaccio Marine Centre is also offering a charter-management service, with berths in Corsica, and of course boat mainte-nance and preparation. See it on: www.ajacciomarinecenter.fr
TRAINING AND CHARTER AT HYÈRESACM Catamaran specializes in training families and couples who want togo long-term ocean cruising in catamarans. This year, the new featuresconsist of a ‘Grand Voyage’ course, ‘training delivery trips and owner’scourse’ and new destinations, with Brittany and Greece. Finally, note thatACM has some new boats at its Hyères base, with a Lagoon 400 S2, a Hélia44 and a Lagoon 420.For more information: www.acm-cata.com
MOTOR CATAMARANThe motor catamaran offers the advantages of a catamaran and those ofa motor boat (QED!)... In other words, here is the ideal machine for havingfun on holiday, by going cruising. Fast, comfortable, and economical withthe fuel, the Summerland 40 from Fountaine Pajot is now available forcharter this summer in Corsica, from Furiani, in its 3 double cabin version.For more information: www.laelocation-bateau.com
LAGOON 39 IN PORTUGALIf you want to discover the north coast of Portugal, from Vila Nova deCerveira to Porto, and thus enjoy the fantastic conditions this coast offersfor surfing, kite surfing, and SUP, whilst sailing aboard a brand-new Lagoon39, don’t look any further, we have what you are looking for. Situated onthe Douro river, Feeldouro Adventure is a charter company which is pas-sionate about catamarans, and can give you effective advice for discove-ring an area which is little-known, but will not remain so for long...For more information: www.feeldouro-adventure.com
NEWS FROM THE CHARTER COMPANIES
THE SECRET ISLAND: VISSituated far from the mainland, Vis is an islandwhich has been forgotten by the tourists, to thegreat delight of boat crews and divers, wholove its rocky coasts, the blue cave at Bisevo, itssecret villages, and its unspoiled scenery.
At both Kut and Vis, the island’s two villages,you will find some excellent restaurants andnumerous shops, as soon as you arrive ashore,at the quay, on a buoy, or at anchor. You simplymust taste and stock up with the island’s excel-lent wines, which you will find easily as youstroll round the narrow streets of the two vil-lages.
PELJEŠAC, THE GASTRONOMICPENINSULA
The Pelješac peninsula stretches over nearly62km, between Dubrovnik and Korcula.Authentic and well-preserved, it lives offfishing, vines, salt flats and oyster farming. Thevineyard produces some of the best Croatianwines: the famous dingač and the maraština.Pines and palm trees, orange trees and exoticplants grow in this climate blessed by the gods.
KORCULA, THE WILD ISLANDKnown above all as the birthplace of thefamous navigator, Marco Polo, the fortified vil-lage is nicknamed ‘Little Dubrovnik’, thanks toits picturesque narrow streets and its mediae-val atmosphere. Although Korcula village isbusy, the rest of the island is steep and wild,and is ideal for walking. The air is fragrant withthe scent of wild aromatic herbs. Korcula isconsidered to be one of Croatia’s most beauti-ful islands.
MLJET, THE WOODED ISLANDThe arrival at Mljet will certainly be one of themost delightful moments of your cruise.It is the most heavily wooded island in Croatia.70% of the island is covered with fragrantforests of Aleppo pines, cypress and olivetrees. Part of the island is classified as a natio-nal park: here you will find a monastery built ona small island in the middle of a salt lake, wild,rocky hills, an indented coastline with crystalclear waters...a real paradise. The island offers awide choice of anchorages, two of which,Pomena and Polace, allow quick access to itssalt lake.
LASTOVO, THE SECRET ISLANDThis is the most isolated of Croatia’s islands, areal haven of peace, and a protected nationalpark. Attractive anchorages and turquoise waters areguaranteed at Veli or Mali Lago, close to theamazing boat bunkers, cut out of the mountain.You can let yourself be tempted by anotherpleasant anchorage, with the added bonus of avery good restaurant/mini-marina, KonobaPorto Rosso. For quiet meals alone by thewater’s edge, or with the family, you won’t bedisappointed... It is worth renting a scooter or quad bike for atleast half a day to visit the interior of the island,and especially the village of Lastovo, on thehigher slopes.The twenty or so islets which surround thisgreen island are favorite places for coastal crui-sing. Walkers will find paths shaded by hundredyear old pines and unforgettable panoramashere.
PRACTICAL CROATIAGetting there: There is nothing easier than getting to Croatia, with international airports at Split, Zadar and Dubrovnik. You can alsoget there by ferry, from Italy. A valid passport is needed to enter Croatia.
When: Croatia offers an ideal climate for cruising between April and October; the summer high season is quite obviously the mostpleasant. It is hot, the water is pleasant (average 22°C) and the winds are light in the morning, with good breezes in the afternoon, andcalm nights. The very small tidal range (30 to 60 cm) allows easy cruising and anchoring... Official language: Croat, but English and German are spoken everywhere.Currency: Croatia’s official currency is the kuna (1 euro = 7.56 kunas) Visa and Mastercard are only accepted in the big towns.Note: To charter a boat in Croatia, you must hold a cruising license in your home country, validated by the Croatian naval ministry. It is essential to find out, on the web site www.mmpi.hr, if the documents in your possession allow you to skipper a boat in Croatia.To enter and anchor in the national parks (Hvar - Kornati) you must possess a permit valid for two days and one night, which will costaround fifty euros. A night in a marina costs between 25 and 80 euros, depending on the size of the boat and the services offered. Diving with tanks is strictly controlled, and to dive from your catamaran, you must purchase a license, which costs 2500 kunas per year(330 euros).The catamaran charter companies: Ultra Sailing - Kiriacoulis - Sunsail - The Moorings - Dream Yacht charter - Oceans EvasionAlternative Sailing
A little creek with crystal clear water,where you can relax and enjoy yourholidays.
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