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.

Charter a yacht in Biograd

With a name that translates as “the white city by the sea”, Biograd seems to have been destined to become a great holiday resort, especially since it used to the capital city of the medieval kingdom of Croatia.

Biograd na Moru, as the complete name goes, is located in a naturally beautiful region of the country, surrounded on all sides by national parks and sailing opportunities like the Kornatiarchipelago, a real sailor’s paradise thanks to the myriad of islands and islands and the breathtaking landscapes.
Of course, there are many other attractive Croatian resorts along the coast, places like Split, Dubrovnik or Zadar to name but a few, but Biograd manages to keep its “cool” and keep raking up tourists by the thousands every year.

The most important sites in town are constituted by the 11^th century St. John’s Basislica which has withstood the sacking by the Venetians in the middle ages, the historical museum which has a number of ancient boats on display and the tropicarium which plays host to a number of exotic species of reptiles and fish.

The center of the tourist attractions however, is the waterfront because here you’ll find most of the bars, restaurants and shops worth checking out. It’s where most of the visitors and even some of the local converge night after night in search of a good time or a relaxing time. One can choose between wine bars, live music venues or open air terraces with a view of the marina.

The Dalmatian cuisine is perfectly displayed in the local restaurants which also serve international dishes, but rely on the local recipes to attract hoards of gourmets. The Dalmatian foods are an interesting mixture of continental heritage and Mediterranean influences.
As a testament of the strong maritime culture in Biograd, the marinas here are famous in the whole Adriatic for their quality of services but also for the interesting sailing events they organize, out of which the most important has to be the October regatta which draws in considerable crowds and occasionally the who’s who of the yachting world. For those with a sailing passion it’s a good idea to synchronize their holiday with this event. It will be a great experience.

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.