Our Dalmatian Island Flotillas

Hello Everyone,

You will have noticed that Croatia no longer features in our flotilla promotional activities...

This is because sadly, after eleven years of trying to cope with increasing costs and bureaucracy of running a business there, we have given up. We battled away to help the Croatians understand the issues, but without success.

Accordingly, we are concentrating our efforts on our Greek Island programme. Our 'more wind' gang now have our Faraway Islands and Saronic Cruises, so plenty of variety for those who wish to 'spread their wings'.

We are also continuing with our very successful Croatia Bareboat Charter agency for independent and skippered charters.

We do not exclude the possibility of returning to the Dalmatian Islands of Croatia, but for the moment we're giving it a miss.

Cheers,
Barrie Neilson

Old Holiday Details
Our one week Primosten Area flotilla holiday will cruise amongst the dozens of islands north of Primosten. Our two week Central Dalmatian flotilla will include the highlights of the Primosten Area whilst also visiting the spectacular islands of Solta, Hvar, Brac, and historic Vis (in ancient times known as Issa). We originally chose this part of the coast due to the proximity of so many spectacular islands.

Croatia will be in its 18th year as an independent sovereign state in 2008 and is slowly adjusting to the ways of the western world. There is an almost Italian feel on this part of the coast as people wander around the cafes during the evenings.

Centuries ago the islands of the Adriatic and Ionian seas were populated by Illyrian tribes and similarities exist to this day. Slavic tribes came down from the north in the ninth century AD and they became known as the "Croats".

Restaurant menus are in general a carnivore’s delight. The Croatians seem to be able to produce the best steaks on the planet along with sauteed potatoes and green peppercorn sauce. The seafood is also fabulous and our favourite is the sea bass. The world famous Dalmatian wines perfectly complement the local food.

All our yachts in Croatia feature the Sailing Holidays’ extras such as biminis, holding tanks and cockpit showers so they are very well set up for our relaxed style of sailing holiday. The feature that everyone seems to enjoy on our Croatian fleets is the mainsail ‘inmast’ furling system and those with tender backs certainly appreciate the electric bow anchor windlasses!

It’s impossible to see all the sights the Dalmatian Islands have to offer in one or two visits. There are so many islands and villages that some of them stayed hidden from the outside world for centuries. Now, however, they are classic idyllic flotilla stops, sometimes complete with those wonderful "slasticarnas" which is what they call ice cream parlours.

You will be able to enjoy excellent sailing as the wind funnels down between the islands. Predominantly westerly in the summer, the occasional ‘Yugo’ blows from the south east to keep us on our toes. The north-easterly "Bora" also presents a sailing challenge as it can be strong at times, but these days, it is very well forecast. There are plenty of secure and comfortable marinas around in case it blows a little bit too hard.

This area is not really for beginners, although a previous flotilla holiday would be adequate experience. All the things you planned to think about whilst on holiday will be forgotten as your brain takes a break and you drink in the unique Dalmatian Island atmosphere of Croatia.