If you would like to know where to eat and drink at Dalmatian Islands, check today’s Telegraph‘s guide to the best bars and restaurants on the islands off Croatia’s Adriatic coast.

Here is an excerpt:

‘In most pretty bays where you drop anchor there is a ‘konoba’ (restaurant) on the water’s edge. They are invariably family run. The patron is often an eccentric character bent over a sizzling grill with a cigarette clamped between his teeth. You should see the catch of the day or what is in the pot. Fish is expensive – check before you commit. Portions are generous so if in doubt share…’

Read the whole article here

In today’s article in Telegraph, titled ‘Sailing in Croatia: 1001 Dalmatians’ , Clare Mann goes sailing in the Dalmatian Islands off the Croatian coast and finds something for each family member.

Here is an excerpt from the article:

This was my first visit to Croatia and I was excited. There are a thousand or so islands along the Dalmatian coast, and as our plane made its descent to Split they were tantalisingly spread out beneath us in a wide ribbon. There can be no better way, I convinced myself from several thousand feet, than to explore them by boat – better still, as your own master and commander…

Read the whole article here and check more info about Sailing in Croatia

Croatian Tourism Minister opened in Split on Saturday the 11th international Croatia Boat Show, at which 1355 exhibitors are showing 450 boats.

The fair was organized by the Profectus Company and is open until 5th of April.

Some fifty thousand visitors are expected at the fair which, with extensive media coverage, is an important promotion of Croatia as a tourist destination,” said Bajs.

He recalled that Croatia Boat Show was also a sale show at which Croatian shipbuilders would present their product.

Bajs stressed that nautical tourism generated six per cent of arrivals in Croatia and 10% of overall tourism revenue and that more than 80% of nautical tourists had university degrees and earned more than EUR 3,000 a month.

“They are the most demanding, but also the most rewarding guests. They want more, but are ready to pay, so fairs like this one are very important.”  Bajs said nautical tourism expected the smallest losses this summer because of the crisis.

He announced that Croatia planned to build 15,000 new berths for boaters, but that in building new marinas it would see to preserving nature and protecting the environment.

The state secretary for the sea, Branko Bačić, said this was part of the government’s strategy to build 15,000 new berths in 15 Croatian prestigious destinations along the Adriatic in the next 10 years and to reach HRK 15 billion in annual revenue from nautical tourism. He added that last year nautical tourism brought Croatia EUR 800 million. (source: Hina) + Read about Sailing in Croatia

All the mentioned steps are expected to secure during the next ten years an income of HRK 15 billion based on a planned annual growth of 9.8 percent (source:hina.hr)

With over a thousand islands, islets and reefs, of which 66 are inhabited, the Croatian islands offer everything from nudist beaches to windsurfing, and organic wines to all-night dance parties. You can bed down in a boutique hotel or a back-to-basics cottage (no running water, no mains electricity), depending on your pain threshold. It’s also outside the eurozone so your holiday cash will go a bit further.

1 – Best for local food and wine: Vis – A Yugoslav military naval base and no-go zone for foreigners until 1989, Vis was invaded by yachties the moment the last submarine left. Now a hippy-chic summer hideaway, its informal konobe (taverns) serve Dalmatian seafood dishes. At Mola Trovna, Senko Karuza takes guests on fishing trips then shows you how to clean and cook your catch. Don’t miss Vis’s organic wines – white Vugava and red Mali Plavac – and rogacica, a potent tipple made from carob, which grows in abundance here…

Read the whole article here + find out about all other Croatian Islands

Beyond Boundaries Travel has created two customized tours of Croatia that will have travelers cruising the islands, sightseeing in the beautiful port cities and quaint island harbors, and taking cycling tours of the islands.

The tour begins in Split and concludes in Dubrovnik, includes visit to Trogir and can be done in reverse if preferred. The tour takes visitors through olive orchards, vineyards, medieval fortifications, green forests, fertile valleys, and subtropical parks with free time to explore a number of Dalmatian islands including Brac,  Korcula , Hvar , Mljet and Sipan.

Cyclists ride as a group, with each rider proceeding at their desired pace. There will be two guides to lead both the cycling and walking tours and guides provide a briefing and maps for each cycle tour. Each ride will include stops for refreshments and to visit interesting sights.

The “Kapetan Jure”, the accommodation for the duration of the trip, is an 88 foot wooden motor yacht built in 2000 in a traditional Croatian motor sailor style. The ship has 15 passenger cabins with 11 twin bed cabins on the main deck and 4 double bed cabins below deck. Each cabin has a private bath. The below deck area is air conditioned. The upper deck contains an open sundeck and the main salon and bar where all meals will be served.

Trip Includes: 7 nights aboard the motor yacht “Kapetan Jure” + All meals in Croatia + Multi-speed tour bicycle + Bicycle tour guides + All airport transfers and ground transportation + Daily Cabin Cleaning + Towel Change Midweek

Cost is $1699 per person (double occupancy). Tour dates are September 6th-13th, 2008 and for reverse trip: September 13th-20th. For more information, please visit the website: http://www.beyondboundariestravel.com/barge_bike/2008/croatia.html

The video include some great shots of Bisevo - a small island in vicinity of Vis, Croatia, well known for its Blue Cave (Plava Spilja), which is one of the most popular sailing destinations in Croatia.

Also, what I liked about this video, is well presented beauty of ‘bad weather’ while sailing – rain, wind, rough seas, gray colours and similar in ‘you get rain, rainbow and sun’ part.

The video, uploaded at YouTube is split in two parts: reasons 1 to 5 and reasons 6 to 10 – have a look:

10 Reasons to Sail in Croatia – Part one: 

10 Reasons to Sail in Croatia – Part two: 

Find out more about Weather in Croatia, Sailing in Croatia, Island of Vis and Bisevo and Modra Spilja (Blue Cave)

A very good article about experience of island-hopping in Croatia was published couple days ago by OCregister, written by Sheila Norma-Culp. Here is an excerpt:

Island-hopping in Croatia: Sun, seafood and swimming come without typical Mediterranean beach crowds and development –  Up and down the stone piers of Split‘s raucous port we walked, past a melange of ferries, yachts, tugboats and fishing vessels. Up and down. Past double-decker sailing yachts with racks of bikes onboard. Past fishermen on low-slung dinghies, squinting at the clouds. Past hobbyists racing 4-foot remote sailboats like it was Croatia’s own America’s Cup. But nowhere, nowhere was the catamaran that was supposed to whisk us out to Croatia’s sun-drenched coastal islands…

… Spanish beaches too overbuilt for you? Italy and Greece too crowded? French Riviera sound too expensive? Maybe it’s time to go island-hopping in Croatia….

Read the whole article here

The article begins with paragraph: ‘All you need is this 13-page guide, full of holiday ideas for every type of couple.’ and follows by ‘Rowan Pelling gets us in the mood with her tips on how to get it right. And remember, romance isn’t just for Valentine’s Day..’

Under the ‘Glamorous romantic getaways’ subsection, at the 5th place, Vis Island is featured under the title ’Enjoy your own secret garden Vis, Croatia‘, followed by paragraph ‘Hidden behind the 16th-century Garibaldi Palace walls on the island of Vis, Villa Kaliopa is a secret garden of palms, sculpture and candlelit tables each out of earshot so you dont have to whisper your sweet nothings where smiley waiters present the days catch. Hire your own yacht or berth from Kaliopa harbour between May and September to see the Dalmatian islands at their best. Lazy Winch Yachting (01284 830505, lazywinch.com). Six days crewed island sailing in June from 425pp, breakfast and lunch included. Villa Kaliopa (00385 21 711 755) main courses from 25.’

Other featured destinations, among others, include Venice, Vienna, New York and Sicilly..

Read the whole article here

It will offer 87 secure berthing surrounded by modern facilities provided within the cost of the mooring fees, including laundry facilities, Wi-fi access, water, electricity and refuse disposal,  a modern shower block and marina office on site, as well as the village bars and restaurants nearby.

Shops, including a regular local fruit and vegetable market are within 50 metres of the marina. Other facilities include a bank and regular bus and ferry service.

The marina is just a short ferry ride from the mainland port of Zadar, which is just two and a half miles away by water. A frequent ferry service runs between the island and the mainland.

The nearest airport is Zadar Airport , a short taxi ride up the mainland coast, with regular connections to main European airports.

Marina Preko Info and Facilities: 

Lat: 44º 04.9N
Long: 15º 11.6E
Charts: BA 2711, 515, MK 13

Berths:
87 berths for vessels of up to 20m LOA (minimum depth 2 metres)
3 superyacht berths for vessels of up to 60m LOA (alongside)

Marina Facilities – on site and in the village of Preko:

• VHF Channel 17. Call Sign: “Marina Preko”
• Easy access 24 hours a day in all weather conditions
• Good all round shelter in berths
• Sheltered cruising waters amongst the islands of the Dalmatian coast
• Port of Entry nearby in the port of Zadar
• Overnight ferry from Ancona to Zadar
• Harbour with minimum depth of 2m
• Electricity: 220v and 50Hz
• Fresh water
• Grey and black water discharge
• Refuse disposal
• 24 hour CCTV security
• Modern shower block
• Laundry facility for bertholders
• Internet access through Wi-fi
• Fresh supplies from a regular local market
• Restaurants and bars surrounding the marina
• Medical services locally
• Beaches for swimming and watersports close to Marina Preko
• Many local festivals and traditions throughout the year
• Supermarket and shops within 50m 
• Sport fishing, angling, diving, mountain biking and trekking
• International flights to/from Zadar

More info: about Sailing in Croatia, about Islands in Croatia +  Marina Preko home page: http://www.marinapreko.com/

About “Croatia Cruising Companion” by John Wiley & Sons:

The Dalmatian coast, with its many unspoilt islands and crystal clear waters, ranks high amongst the best cruising areas in the world. Share its secrets, get an inside track on the latest cruising and destination news, and obtain all the facts, photos and chartlets you need to cruise it safely, discover its hidden gems, and enjoy it to the full.

Croatia is a cruising hotspot that is developing rapidly. This is the most in depth and up to date book of its kind on the market. The authors have access to the best contacts and latest information on what is happening onshore and offshore. They have lived and worked in the cruising area for five years.This book features:

It is a large sailing event organized in Brest, France.

At this year’s event Croatia, Vietnam and Madagascar will be the guests of honors. These three countries will be participating with vessels which, until recently, were quite unknown to the nautical heritage. 

According to the organizers ” The idea of a Croatian village at BREST 2008 originated at BREST 2004. To be more precise, it started on Wednesday 14th July around a pitcher of excellent red wine from Dalmatia during a lively discussion between Josko Bozanic, Thédo Fruithof and Anne Burlat on board the gajeta fishing boat “Comeza Lisboa” (see bellow photo), which was moored in number three dock. It would appear that this was not really the drink talking, or the excitement of the moment, because two and a half years later, the foundations were laid and everything was in place for there to be a wonderful, strong Croatian presence at the Brest Festival.”

Above photo : Gajeta sailing boat “Comeza Lisboa” from Croatia at Brest 2004

Brest will be welcoming around ten authentic traditional boats representing Croatia’s maritime heritage:

• the gajeta falkusa “Comeza-Lisboa” (9 m)
• the falkusa baby-boat “Molo” (5 m ) with the backing of UNESCO 
• Betinska Gajeta, a 7m replica, which will be used by the sailing school run by the Lateen Sail Club in Murter
• Bracera, a 9.5m replica to be launched on 15th August in Dubrovnik
• Condura Croatica, the replica of a 12th Century battleship
• Batana, the replica of a fishing smack from Rovinj in Istria
• Ladja, a traditional riverboat from the Neretva river
• Leut Slobodna Dalmacija (10 m), an authentic Dalmatian fishing boat from the 19th Century.

The Croatian Village will cover a surface area of 1000 m² and will include reconstructions of Dalmatian cottages.

Two thousand traditional sailing boats from 25 different countries will take part in the event, amongst them large Russian sailing boats like the Sedova (1923) and Kruzenshterna (1926), fishing boats or yachts and vessels of the national navy.

Brest 2004 attracted about 600 000 guests.

More about Sailing in Croatia  + Read the whole article about Croatia’s participation at Brest 2008 at this link : http://www.brest2008.fr/actualite/actualite.php?g_id_actualite=63&g_cle_actualite=exca10986570353xoa13200706 

A new nautical marina was opened in the Zadar archipelago on the island of Ugljan which is the largest marina in the archipelago with places for about 225 vessels.

Marina Maslina (Olive Island Marine) is situated in the settlement of Sutomišcica on the island of Ugljan, 20 minutes by ferry from the city of Zadar.

The marina itself is situated in the peaceful bay between Sutomišcica and Mali Lukoran, with its strategic position ideal for the safe accommodation of boats.

There are a series of service facilities for sailors, nautical equipment shops, wash areas, a self service store, a travel left service for boat repairs and the like on the mainland part
of the marina.

There are also 25 dry dock berths in this part of the marina.

The area on sea includes four large piers that can accommodate 225 boats, while the outer side of the breakwater, over 260 metres in length, can berth a large cruiser with a draught of up to seven metres.

During the construction of this marina the investors paid special attention to its functionality given that the entire Zadar archipelago has become an exceptionally
popular sailing destination, and the great need had been demonstrated for precisely this kind of marina. Besides this, great care was taken in arranging the complete interior of
the marina so that users could enjoy in the “Zadar mood” and the latest technology that has, in this case, been successfully built into this traditional Dalmatian ambience.

The island of Ugljan can boast of a mild Mediterranean climate. The average temperature in the period from May to October is 22 degrees Celsius, 2,500 hours of sunshine a year have been recorded, and the gentle maestral that blows on the island during the summer
is a real refresher.

Besides that, the island faithfully preserves the local heritage, another one of the reasons that this marina will surely attract a great number of visitors.
Marina Maslina’s web site: http://www.oliveislandmarina.com/

According to all indicators this year’s Sports and Boat Show is going to be the best boat event held in Zagreb so far. The fair pavilions will turn into harbours hosting a fleet of vessels of all types and sizes.

The fair will present a rich offer of boats, nautical equipment, engines, accessories, nautical clothes and footwear, sports equipment, as well as sailing, diving and surfing schools and nautical tourism.

In 10 pavilions of the Zagreb Fair there will be over 500 exhibitors from 34 countries covering 20,000 m2.

Apart from the numerous world famous vessels the visitors will have the opportunity to see the Croatian premiere of the 12-m-yacht FAIRLINE 38, and in the pavilions 7, 10 and 10a there will be new models of BENETEAU, JENNEAU, RODMAN, ELAN.

For the first time the visitors of the fair will be able to watch building of a wooden boat – Gajeta from Betina. During 5 days of the fair top caulkers from the island of Murter headed by the shipbuilder Ante Fržop will build the original type of the wooden Gajeta in a traditional way by using traditional tools. It is a skill that had been passed on from generation to generation for centuries, an ancient tradition of building wooden boats that had been kept from oblivion and extinction.

During the run of the Sport and Boat Show, the renowned Croatian free-diver Kristijan Curavic will attempt to break the national record in the discipline APNEA STATIC.

Other traditional sports attractions of the fair include the following: beach volleyball, international beach volleyball tournament, Bike Park – events and programmes on the topic of sports and recreational cycling, demonstrations and appearances of sportsmen. The programme will be held at the stage of the pavilion 8.

Find out more about this show at : http://www.zv.hr/sajmovi/144/index_en.html