The "in" place to cruise is now Croatia in the Adriatic. Dubrovnik is only 3 hours from Dublin and less from London and a boat is only twenty minutes from the airport. With gentle breezes and a balmy 24 degrees October is the best time to sail in Croatia. No fighting for berths at the marina and a much more settled weather pattern.

 

There is a wide choice of charter boats and holidays available there and marina facilities are excellent. Many smaller destinations do not have marinas but there is plenty of depth to moor stern to on to the quay wall just in front of the local taverns! The local beer and wine is excellent and a lot less expensive than Ireland or the UK! The food is top class too with fresh harvest from the fields and the sea.

 

The Croats are a friendly people and the scars of the recent conflict are not evident. They LOVE the Irish - similar population size and history  - and they do have a sense of humour! The sense of history is all around and this is very evident in Dubrovnik - the pearl of the Adriatic. 

 

SailCork have been running a "Croatian Sunshine Cruise " for a number of years (along with Sunshine Sailing in the Caribbean, the Canaries, Spain and Morocco). We provide a top of the range boat (this year a 51' Beneteau from Sunsail), an experienced skipper (Eddie English is a Yachtmaster Instructor and has sailed these waters for many years) and look after the provisioning and planning for a great holiday. Learning is an option too! You can just sit back and relax or choose to advance your sailing skills under the expert eye of the skipper. 

 

This year SailCork are using Dubrovnik as our base. The shoreside facilities are excellent - with a swimming pool and restaurants and bars. The marina is just 10 minutes from the old city - all in all the perfect place to start and end a holiday. This "Sunshine Cruise" is proving so popular that we have added a second week for 2012 with places available for the week of Oct 9-16 - details are here or call Jo on 021 4811237 - there are just a few places available! Dubrovnik is a UNESCO listed city and has an amazing history which is very evident in the streets and buildings. It was a very powerful city state at one time and the merchants who ruled the city built it to last! We will spend our first and last nights in Dubrovnik.

 

 

Our first destination will be the beautiful Elaphite Islands - just a short sail from Dubrovnik - this will be a breakfast stop and perfect for a spot of swimming! (Sea temperatures will be around 20 degrees) Th island of Lopud is one of the few places in Croatia with a sandy beach! More sailing and head north west on to the island of Mljet where we hope to moor stern to onto the quay with the restaurant just a few metres away! The islands have a relaxed pace of life and the food is really excellent!

 

From Mljet we will sail to the historic walled town of Korcula on the island of the same name where we will get a chance to explore the ancient streets of the town where Marco Polo was born. From there it is on to Hvar where we will tie up in the town centre and get an opportunity to climb the hill and see the amazing view from the fortress on the hill. From Hvar we will head south to the more isolated island of Lastavo and from there we will sail to Sobra on Mljet before heading back to Dubrovnik.

 

So plenty of sailing, swimming and sunning ourselves! We are looking forward to the excellent food too - and enjoying traditional Croatian hospitality. Some of our crew are working towards a qualification and skipper Eddie will be only too happy to impart his knowledge. 

 

So do come and join the fun - we still have places on our cruise from Sun Oct 9- Sun 16 - call Jo English on 021 4811237 to book your place!