Through the Islands Paradise of Northern and Central Dalmatia to the ťforbiddenŤ Island of Vis

1 week ex Zadar – departures on Saturdays

 1st day: From 11:30 am to 1:00 pm, boarding in Zadar; welcome and introduction to the crew and the other passengers. Shortly after, we set sail and head towards the islands of Zirje or Prvic, where we will enjoy our first dip into the sea. We will then continue toward Vodice, a lively holiday resort. Enjoy the evening with a glass of wine in one of the cosy taverns or Konobas. For passengers arriving later, transfer to the harbour of Vodice and boarding in the evening.

 2nd day: A few miles further south, we leave the Adriatic Sea and turn into the embouchure of the River Krka. We go upriver and anchor in Skradin, shortly before the famous Krka waterfalls. From there, smaller boats will take us to the National Park. You will have the opportunity to visit “Skradinski Buk”, the most popular part of the waterfall area, where in 17 falls, with up to 100 m broad cascades, the Krka rushes down 45.7 meters. Make sure you don’t forget to bring your bathing suit - a swim in the clear waters of the Krka River just below the falls is a truly unique experience. (Park entrance, including boat ride: € 11-14, payable onsite). On our return to the Adriatic Sea, we will stop in Sibenik. Sibenik, mentioned for the first time in 1006, is the youngest of the larger cities on the coast, and at the same time, the oldest Croatian town; as it was not built by Greeks, Romans, or Byzantines, but founded by Croats. The most famous building in the fortresslike old town is St. Jacob’s Cathedral, the most important Renaissance monument in Croatia. After a brief stroll through the old town, we continue to Rogoznica, a pleasant holiday and fishing village, where we will spend the night. The village lies on a small island, connected to the mainland only by a narrow causey.

 3rd day: Today, a sixhour voyage is on the programme - we will sail to the “forbidden island” of Vis, which was closed to foreign visitors until the late 1980s. On the former runway of the military airport now wine is cultivated. The most striking feature of the island is the lush subtropical vegetation, which determines the image. The town of Vis is the oldest town in Dalmatia, founded in 397 BC under the name Issa, as the first Greek colony on the east coast of the Adriatic Sea. We will spend the night in the harbour of Vis, a placid town in a sheltered bay on the north coast of the island. Since the island of Vis lies far out in the open sea, in case of bad weather, we may alternatively sail to the island of Brac or Split.

 4th day: On our journey towards the mainland, we will sail to one of the numerous bays of the island of Hvar for a swim. Then we continue to Trogir, with its UNESCO protected Old Town, also called “the Museum City”. It is quite an experience walking in the afternoon or evening through the winding streets and along the walls, discovering towers, churches, frescoes and vaults, or taking a look into the old yards. Overnight stay in Trogir.

 5th day: We will visit Primosten, a picturesque hillside town on a small island, connected to the mainland. In the evening, we will sail back into the island world and moor in the small harbour of the fishing village of Zlarin on the homonymous island.

 6th day: According the to the Irish author George Bernard Shaw (who received the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1925),”On the last day of creation, God crowned his work, and thus created, out of tears, stars and breath, the Kornati Islands”. The beautiful scenery, countless small and large islands (according to local lore “an island for every day of the year”), and the beautiful sea – all this makes the Kornati Islands a unique paradise. It is the largest and most dense archipelago in the Adriatic Sea – it comprises 147 islands, islets and reefs with a total area of 69 km˛, spread over 230 km˛. They cover an area of 35 km of length and 13 km of width among the islands of Dugi Otok in the northwest, Zirje in the southeast, and Pasman, Vrgada and Murter in the north and northeast. We cruise along the entire length of the Kornati Islands and head towards a bay on the northern end for a swim. Overnight stay in Sali on the island of Dugi Otok.

 7th day: Before returning to Zadar, we anchor in one of the many bays and take the last refreshing swim in the Adriatic Sea. After dinner our tour guide waits for us in Zadar, to accompany us through the old town, surrounded by broad walls. He will show us the main sights and attractions – for example, the Roman Forum, the circular Church of St Donat, the cathedral of Stosija Sveta (St. Anastasia) and the worldwide unique Sea Organs, which create sounds and melodies through the waves. We then recommend taking a stroll through the Old Town on your own, perhaps to have a drink in one of the many cafes or to listen to a “Klapa”, with their enchanting songs.

 8th day: After breakfast, around 9:00 am, disembarkation.