Venice to Dubrovnik via Croatian coast and islands onboard Azzurra.
Emerald Azzurra is a custom-built vessel designed to offer a private yacht-style experience with six decks each featuring luxury and innovation. At 110 metres in length, it’s wonderfully spacious and provides contemporary accommodations, excellent dining options, and ample facilities, including a water-sports marina.
There are two restaurants, firstly the spacious Reflections Restaurant on an open-seating basis during breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast and lunch are buffet-style, while the dinner service benefits from a frequently changing menu comprised of dishes influenced by the yacht’s itinerary.
Secondly the Terrace is a partly covered dining venue that lends itself perfectly to al fresco dining. It’s more informal than the ship’s main restaurant, and the stunning views make it ideal if you’re seeking something a little more laid back during meal times.
When night falls, most of the ship’s guests will head to the Horizons Bar & Lounge, which provides a sophisticated setting and expansive cocktail menu. Alternatively, the Sky Bar makes for the perfect spot to take in the nearby scenery, particularly when the yacht is anchored overnight in a glamorous port or harbour.
Day 1 – Venice, Italy
Its a shame there’s no direct flight from Newcastle to Venice so we have to go through Amsterdam and as we’re are no longer in the EU we need to queue for an hour at passport control before entering terminal 2. After a couple of flights we arrive and transfer straight to the boat to head for Croatia.
Day 2 – Rovinj, Croatia
Today we start with a tour of Rovinj which is called the Croatian Saint Tropez. The town’s famous cobbled streets lead up to the hilltop church of St. Euphemia. Rovinj is also considered to be a ‘living cultural monument’ because of its vibrant frescoes, museums, and galleries spread through the old town. Everywhere you turn there are local shops that thankfully aren’t crammed with tourist tat, cafes, restaurants and bars with panorama terraces overlooking the crystal clear sea. Stunningly beautiful.
We stumbled across a parade of vintage Volkswagen cars and vans on display in front of the bars and restaurants lining the harbour.
Day 3 – Zadar
Set on a peninsula, the historic city of Zadar has relics of bygone eras scattered across its landscape with many quaint churches and squares. On the promenade where we moored up are two modern art installations, the Sun Salutation which lights up at night and the Sea Organ whose music is generated by the motion of the sea.
As usual there are more than enough places to wine, dine and rehydrate.
Zadar Sea Organ
The Sea organ is an architectural sound art object and an experimental musical instrument, which plays music by way of sea waves and tubes located underneath a set of large marble steps.
Day 4 – Šibenik
Today was Sebenik the oldest native town in the country, its origins trace back to 1066 and known for its UNESCO World Heritage-listed St James’ Cathedral.
A coastal town which has 33 churches within one square kilometre. Unfortunately, our guide knew all of these churches intimately. I guess we should’ve realised when his opening remark was that all of the other guides were jealous of his knowledge of the churches, also the fact that he had written essays on some of the churches should have been a red flag. Halfway through discretion was the better part of valour and we beat a hasty retreat to the nearest watering hole. That being said it is very atmospheric.
Day 5 – Hvar
Lying neatly off the coast of Split is the island Hvar. Said to be Croatia’s answer to Saint-Tropez, Hvar Town is home to an elegant shoreline bursting with luxurious yachts and is one of the more glamorous settings in the Adriatic. We first came here 20 years ago and it was a very chilled out place and reasonably priced. It is still a lovely place but prices have risen considerably. We had lunch in a restaurant that we used to visit and compared some pictures from 20 years ago to see how the island had been developed.
Day 6 – Split
Paul’s birthday today so enjoyed a taste of real Dalmatian life in Split. Croatia’s second-largest city is most famous for the Diocletian’s Palace, an extraordinary example of Roman architecture and features a myriad of hideaway bars and cafes. Today was a national holiday so combined with that and several monster cruise ships the place was very busy.
Birthday celebrations
Day 7 – Korcula
We’re now in Korcula, a beautiful old town rich in culture and history encompassing Roman & Venetian remnants of occupation amongst others. It’s a small island, very easy to navigate your way round. As with many of the other towns we’ve visited on this trip, it has original castle walls, wonderful old well preserved churches, museums and a cathedral. Excellent restaurants in its old alleyways and on the seafront serving fresh seafood and delicious local wine. We arrive at a new destination and the latest one immediately becomes our new favourite. They’re all so stunning. Welcoming locals too. The sixth-largest island in the Adriatic, Korcula is among the most beloved in Croatia. Its Old Town, referred to by the locals as “Little Dubrovnik”, is a delightful collection of medieval churches, palaces and squares, while the villages of Cara and Smokvica produce the country’s signature dry white wine.
Day 8 – Dubrovnik, Croatia
Well, Dubrovnik is the end of the line for us. Unfortunately, we have a long connection in Amsterdam on the way home, but, that won’t take the shine off the Holiday. We’ve thoroughly enjoyed Croatia and will heartily recommended to anyone.