Dubrovnik - The Pearl of the Croatian Adriatic

The picturesque town of Dubrovnik in Croatia makes a powerful impression at first sight when coming from the sea when you take a look at its 25m high protective walls which were built during the middle ages but now are nothing more than a tourist attraction. The name means “city that came from the sea”, which could not be better suited for this resort.

It’s considered by many sailing enthusiasts as the best resort in all of Croatia and more than often it’s the first stop people make when coming to visit the land by the Adriatic shores. “The Pearl of the Adriatic” as it’s sometimes called was founded in the 7^th century and has been a sought after destination for the rich and famous.

Among the most visited places in town are the Renaissance architecture like the Sponza Palace, the Rector’s Palace, the St. Savior church and the Franciscan Monastery. Let’s not forget the famous town walls which have been turned into a 25m high sea walk for visitors.

Another important part of the city’s history that also translates into a shopping opportunity for visitors is Dubrovnik’s artisans that specialize in weaving anything from tablecloths to lines and napkins according to old methods. And speaking of old methods, there is a famous pharmacy in the Franciscan monastery that sells cream and medicine from centuries-old recipes.

If you’d like to sample the Dalmatian cuisine, you’ll need to head to the old town where you’ll find numerous establishments that serve concoctions made from old recipes with fresh ingredients taken from the neighboring sea and the backcountry. The only downside is that you’ll have to pay more than in other places in Croatia.

At night, if you’re searching for a little party time, the Stradun promenade or Lapad is where you’ll need to be. If you’re searching for a good club, you’ll need to go exploring on the narrow streets of the old town and follow some of the locals as well as the loud music, otherwise you won’t stand a chance.

Just like in other popular resorts in Croatia, say Split, Dubrovnik is particularly popular and gets rather crowded during the summer months. In August there is a Sumer Festival which dates back from 1949 and has live concerts, open air theater in the main plazas around town.  Then there’s a Film Festival in May, a carnival in February the famous yacht charter regatta in November.

Corfu - Top sailing destination in Greece

There is a reason why yacht charter Corfu ranks amongst the top sailing destinations in Greece (which is a sailing paradise in itself) year after year. Actually there are several reasons. The most important have to be the relative accessibility, the very beautiful scenery and the local architecture which showcases centuries of history and a myriad of cultures and civilizations.

With such a portfolio, it’s easy to see it was named an UNESCO World Heritage Site, an award reserved only for the most unique and special places on Earth. This is because of the unique and very beautiful Italian-inspired architecture which hails from the times the Venetians controlled the city and the island.

The fact that the city is close to the international airport means that it’s easily accessible (Corfu International Airport is just 2km away). Just like another popular island for tourists in Greece, Rhodes, Corfu is famous for the yacht charter opportunities that can be found here and indeed many of the visitors who arrive here, do so in a yacht.

The best sites in town are the arcade-like houses of the Spinada square, the cricket field, the old town fortress which offers an incredible view of the Aegean Sea, the churches of Agios Spiridonas and Agios Jason Sossipatros, as well as the numerous museums found in or around town, similar to those found on other Greek islands in the Mediterranean like the Cyclades.

The wide assortment of shops, boutiques and stands will surely squeeze some money out of you, especially since Corfu is famous for its leather goods, jewelry, olive and olive-related produce, handmade needlework and kumquats. Anyone of these is likely to make a lovely souvenir from you yacht charter holiday in Corfu. Another shopping bonanza in Greece is the archipelago of the Sporades.

When it comes to easting out, you’ll find a rich cuisine here, which relies heavily on sea food, competing with the famous Dodecanese islands in terms of fancy venues strung along the city’s esplanade and fighting for attention from tourists.

For a good time in the city, remember to come yachting in Corfu in summer, because that’s when the city hosts the Ionian Summer Music Academy which features a lot of Greek traditional music in a series of concerts. If you’re not interested, just head to any of the places along the waterfront, which range from the very noisy to the quiet ones and from the swanky to the budget venues.

This is the time to experience Corfu at its best, during the summer months when the city explodes with noise, lights and different aromas which all make up a unique Greek experience that will surely leave a lasting impression on you, enough to make you want to come back.