Tag Archives: Sailing

Kornati: Nautical Paradise in Croatia

09/07/2016 Romeo Demes Leave a comment

Set amid jewel blue sea, the 89 islands, reefs and islets of the Kornati National Park create a true nautical paradise. If you want to take in all of these islands then your slalom sailing skills will be well and truly put to the test.

About the Kornati National Park

The idea for creating a National Park in Kornati was first mooted in 1965. From the very beginning, the aim with this national park was to preserve a region of unspoiled natural beauty. Sheep farming and wine making used to be the main pursuits on these islands, however now restaurants, tourist guest houses and welcoming bays are the main attractions in Kornati – alongside the gorgeous scenery of the Adriatic coast.

Amazing natural beauty

The Kornati National Park is home to some wonderful biodiversity. Species of particular interest that you will find in this area include the Eagle Owl and the Yellow Legged Gull. There are no less than eighteen different butterfly species spread out amongst the islands and plenty of mammals, reptiles, amphibians, fish and beautiful plants. Whether you want to explore some caves or stroll on a sunny beach, take a dip in the inviting waters of the sea or go bird watching amid wildflowers on a grassy plain, this National Park will have plenty for you. This national park is also home to some very intriguing geological features, and so geologists come from far and wide throughout the year to unearth fossils, crystals and exciting rock strata.

A rich palimpsest of history

These islands are steeped in history. Before the Croats arrived around a century ago, there were Neolithic and Paleolithic populations, for instance, and the ways in which the various cultures have interacted over the years have resulted in a wonderfully diverse cultural atmosphere. Make sure to take a look at the traditional houses and pastures when you visit these islands, and to try a traditional dish or two at once of the delectable restaurants on the larger islands (there are over 20 restaurants to choose from so you will not go hungry!). There is so much to explore here!

A nautical paradise

As you can tell from the above, the Kornati National Park most certainly lives up to the epithet of ‘a nautical paradise‘. Combining natural beauty with biodiversity, and ample opportunities for sailing and water sports with a relaxed and culturally rich way of life, this National Park is a very desirable holiday destination. So why not pay a visit to the islands for your next holiday? You can either rent a yacht in Croatia and go exploring on your own or book a guided boat tour. Remember to bear in mind that an island pass will be needed in order to visit any and all of the islands that comprise this marine park.

Everyone who comes to Kornati discovers something new, whether that is a butterfly or a flower, a great spot for swimming or having a picnic or a wonderful geological feature. What will you discover when you decide to take a boat trip around the gorgeous islands of Croatia’s most famous ‘nautical paradise’?

Essential Travel Tips For Enjoying Croatia On A Budget

02/19/2015 Romeo Demes Leave a comment

Gone are the days when vacations were a reserve of the well off. Nowadays, most people including young teenagers can afford to save for a vacation at least once a year. This is probably due to the fact that most people around the world have embraced tourism prompting the hospitality and travel industry to lower their costs a little. Though, this doesn’t mean that anything you do during your vacation is cheap. In fact, without proper planning, you could spend a fortune that you will never recover and you’ll regret using forever. Below are useful hacks that will let you enjoy your Croatian vacation on a budget.

1. Arrange for private accommodation

Accommodation is usually the most challenging part of any vacation. Finding a perfect place to stay usually takes a very long time especially for first time visitors and those without social connections. As a matter of fact, if you are not careful enough, you could spend an unnecessarily huge amount on this. Apparently, Croatia has quite a number of very affordable accommodation plans with private accommodation topping the list. Renting a room or home from a family will be of great help to you in terms of saving on the money that you would have incurred in expensive hotels. Ironically, you will not be limited in terms of space and you can as well choose to make your own meals here.

2. Make your vacation a little longer

Rather than taking two different vacations to enjoy Croatia fully, turning them into one long vacation is a genius idea. Most owners of hotels and private accommodation in Croatia usually drop the price of accommodation the longer you stay. This is due to the fact that the cost of maintenance and repairs is usually reduced when you stay longer. Staying for at least 4 days is advisable for anyone who wants to enjoy each bit of this gifted land on a tight budget. This also applies to boat yacht agencies in that if you hire a boat or yacht for longer, your costs will be discounted.

3. Travel off season

Just like any other business venture, the tourism and travel industry tend to depend so much on demand. When a lot of tourists are visiting this region, everything from air tickets, accommodation to food and drinks tend to become more expensive. Traveling off-peak is one of the best ways of enjoying your vacation even during the recession. In Croatia, the peak season for tourism is between July and August. Most of Croatia’s tourism attractions are natural and though it is greatest in spring and autumn, you will definitely enjoy your visit even during the winter.

4. Find an all-inclusive hotel

Checking into a hotel where you pay only for your accommodation and nothing else could be too expensive for someone on a budget. It will also be hard to estimate your expected cost of stay. Finding a resort whose payment is inclusive of your meals, gym and other activities will help save so much money especially when visiting as a family. In case you plan to have your meals outside the hotel, you can make use of smaller restaurants and hotels that are cheaper yet their food is more original and delicious.

5. Consider a travel package organized by your hotel

Croatia is a vast land with tourist attractions from North to South and East to West. Some hotels offer travel packages especially for flights, cruises and traveling by road. These packages are usually cheaper than traveling all alone as fuel costs are greatly reduced. Though, for sailing through the Adriatic, you can choose to rent a boat, yacht or gulet from a sailing charter in Croatia for unlimited fun and privacy. Alternatively, you could use public transport as it is comfortable, cheaper, more flexible and faster.

For your vacation in Croatia to be perfect, you do not need to sleep in the presidential suite or eat a 12-star meal. You can still enjoy your tour on a budget by trying to be a little creative and different. Croatia is home to an infinite number of tourist attractions, some of which haven’t been unearthed yet. Wouldn’t you love to be the first to visit a wonder no one else has ever seen? Apparently, this will save you a considerable amount of money as you will not be required to pay for your entrance. Places such as Karlovac, Paklenica National Park, Cres Island, Pag Island, Kopacki Rit Nature Park, Dugi Otok, the Sibenik Archipelago and Vis Island will offer you most of what famous and most visited areas cannot, in fact, at a lower cost. In addition to this, these areas are more peaceful due to the lesser tourists visiting these areas. Renting a boat or yacht from a boat yacht rental agency so as to tour the Adriatic islands will definitely make the whole experience even sweeter. Try using the above travel tips to enjoy Croatia on a budget.

Destinations, Europe, Travel Tips

Europe’s Ultimate Sailing Destination

07/10/2014 Romeo Demes Leave a comment

Croatia has established a solid reputation as the go-to destination for vacationers, holidaymakers, adventurers and tourists. Every year, millions of travelers flock to the Adriatic country to enjoy its various attractions. Unfortunately, many of them still haven’t discovered Croatia’s best open secret i.e. that the best way to experience the country is by sea.

With a stunning coastline of over 1,100 miles and a total of 1,267 islands, Croatia is basically a sailing paradise. Among the savvy sailing enthusiasts, the country now fondly referred to as “Europe’s ultimate sailing destination”. Here’s why:

Endless Variety

Croatia is one of the most endowed countries in the world in terms of sailing attractions. The country boasts of a total of 1,246 islands, some of which are the most beautiful in the world. The country is also dotted with beautiful harbors, lagoons and berths where boats, yachts and even cruise ships can dock. There are rivers like Cetina and Krka which offer a wealth of adventurous attractions including grand canyons, ancient caves, crashing waterfalls and historical sites.

The waters around Croatia’s coastlines possess a graceful, almost idyllic beauty. They are emerald blue, and are graced by spectacular reefs, and rare, unique aquatic life. The country boasts of numerous island national parks (e.g. Mljet, Krk and Konarti) which contain colorful plants, graceful birds and some sought-after endangered species. There are also romantic island attractions like Rab, Vis and Lopud. What makes the country truly special is not just the sheer variety, but the ease of access to its different natural wonders. As such, if you take a sailing excursion in Croatia,, you are basically spoilt for choice.

Unique Experiences

A Croatian sailing expedition is can expose you to a wealth of natural attractions which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. One such attraction is the picturesque sunset of Zadar. Popularly described as “the most beautiful sunset in the world”, watching the sunset is an experience that cannot be got anywhere. There is also the famous Sea Organ, the only organ in the world which is played by the sea. Listening to the haunting tunes played by Mother Nature herself is a truly elating experience.

And then there is Greeting to the Sun, a fusion of art, technology and creativity which transforms solar energy into a spectacular lightshow. There’s also the Theatrum 5D, a virtual tour of Dubrovnik featuring videos, holograms and lasers. This is a 35-minute high-tech exploration which is unrivaled in the world. These are attractions of which there is no equivalent in the world, let alone Europe. Therefore, the experience of visiting, watching, listening and feeling the aura of these attractions is truly unique to Croatia.

Fun and Adventure

Croatia is the one country which offers endless opportunities for people who are looking to have a good time. The country is dotted with thousands of pristine beaches where tourists can relax and enjoy the Mediterranean sun. Some like the Zlatni Rat in Brac Island are famous for their breathtaking beauty. Others like Papaya and Calypso in Pag are renowned for their all-night parties.

The country is also a popular destination for people interested in water adventures such as parasailing, scuba diving, snorkeling, kayaking, jet skiing and so on. There are also mountains, national parks and islands where people can go hiking, biking, trekking, bird watching, game viewing and even picnicking. There are also numerous annual festivals such as the Hideout Festival which is one of the top electronic music festivals in the world. Others are the Soundwave Festival, Electric Elephant festival and Dubrovnik Summer Festival. All these festivals attract thousands of visitors annually.

In a nutshell, besides the joys of the sea, sailing offers you an opportunity to experience the best of what Croatia has to offer. There are numerous options for anyone who wants to go sailing in Croatia. There are a number of companies which organize categories of sailing expeditions from adventurous excursions to ultra-luxury cruises. However, if you want the ultimate sailing experience, then the best option is to rent a boat or yacht and sail to your preferred destinations. There are numerous charter companies which offer boat rental services at very affordable rates.

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