Croatia Tailor-made Holidays

It's possible to visit many of Croatia's prime destinations in around 8 days with most chartered sailing trips taking the same amount of time from one port to another or operating a return trip from cities such as Dubrovnik or Split. In a little over a week you can comfortably take in the attractive cities on the mainland and along the coast with side trips to some of the more popular Adriatic islands. With two weeks at your disposal you could combine a tour of the mainland with a week's sailing holiday.

There's a good choice of well-equipped hotels across Croatia with a plentiful selection of large seaside properties taking full advantage of the country's stunning coastline. Prices vary considerably according to the season with the peak tourist months over the summer seeing prices sky rocket. The majority of the hotel market provides comfortable 3 and 4 star properties with the facilities you'd expect according to the international star grading system. The majority of 5 star hotels are found in the capital of Zagreb and Dubrovnik.

Depending on your budget you can opt for the services of local English-speaking guides for sightseeing excursions private to your travelling party, or you can join scheduled day tours and meet other travellers to enjoy part of the adventure with. Private guides are the more expensive option at a going rate of around $200 per day but will allow the most flexibility while scheduled tours offer a more social experience with group sizes typically ranging between 20-45 passengers. We can also arrange for a national guide/escort to accompany you throughout your holiday assisting with hotel check in and arrangements at travel hubs such as ferry ports and bus stations, so if you would prefer this option please ask us for associated prices.

Croatia's compact size should mean that travelling around the country is quick and easy but the mountainous topography on the mainland can slow journeys down, however, this isn't so much of a problem when you consider the gorgeous scenery you'll see along the way. There's plenty of options when it comes to transportation from costly private transfers to affordable intercity coaches with air-conditioning and regular stops. The extensive bus network connects cities located further north with those along the coast and intercity buses are a great option for many travellers. When it comes to island-hopping there are two options - either join a scheduled sailing holiday that follows a set itinerary with nights spent on board or use public ferries to get from one to another spending a night or two on the islands of your choice. Ferries run regularly during the summer months with reasonable fares and decent on board facilities including food buffets.

The pace of your itinerary can make or break your holiday - cram too much in and you could end up feeling exhausted and needing a holiday after your holiday! There's no shortage of beach-lined coast and islands in Croatia so if your plans focus mostly on the historic cities of the mainland then consider working in a day or two just to relax and take a break from touring. If you're including a number of islands in your adventure then it's best to spend at least a night or two on each to allow for transfer time between the islands and to give enough time to do each island justice.

Tailor-made touring in Europe can be pricey and Croatia is no exception, especially during the summer months when prices soar with the high demand for services. A fully private tour with a guide, transfers and sightseeing staying in 4-5 star accommodation will cost around $600 per person a day for a group of two but there are ways of keeping costs to a minimum - join scheduled day tours rather than having a private guide accompany you, use public transport where possible, stay in 3 star accommodation and travel in the shoulder season of April/May and September/October when it's quieter but the weather is still lovely. By following this advice you can slash daily costs by around 50%. Another great way of staying within a set budget if combining the mainland with island-hopping is to tailor the mainland portion with a private tour and join a scheduled sailing trip for the island-hopping, saving money by joining a large boat with other travellers. If you're travelling in a group of eight or more and want to charter your own boat for a sailing holiday, we can assist so please get in touch.