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Navigator Cruise - the Insider's Guide
Saturday: Split - Hvar
Split is Croatia's second largest city but it remains one of the Adriatic's most fascinating ports with a long and eventful history. There are some great sights to see. The home of the Diocletian Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Split offers a wealth of museums and Roman ruins under a dramatic mountain backdrop and opens onto a vast expanse of sea.
• The Diocletian Palace. Dating back to the 4th century AD, the Palace is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and includes the Peristyle court, St Domnius cathedral, the city museum and the old town hall. It's a living part of the city, with shops, restaurants and cafes set within its ancient walls.
• Maritime Museum
• Archaeological Museum. The oldest museum in Croatia.
• Art gallery. The gallery displays works from the 14th century through to contemporary pieces.
Besides the sightseeing in Split, the town makes an excellent base for exploring the many islands that lie just offshore.
 The island of Hvar is one of the jewels of the Croatian islands. It is the longest of the islands and also one of the sunniest. The island occupies an important strategic and nautical location and has enjoyed a rich history. Since the 7th century, Hvar has had several different sovereign rulers, including France, Italy, Austria, Yugoslavia and now, since 1991, Croatia. Thanks to the mild climate, with its warm winters and pleasant summers, Hvar receives many visitors who are attracted by the beautiful Mediterranean landscape, rich tradition, architecture and nightlife. In recent times, celebrities from across the world are now flocking to Hvar - you never know who you might be rubbing shoulders with!
 Like most of the Croatian islands, Hvar remains relatively unspoilt. Inland, there are vast fields of lavender, ancient olive trees and vineyards. Hvar has celebrated 140 years of organised tourism, and today it is considered to be one of the 10 most beautiful islands in the world.
Things to See & Do
• Explore Hvar town, an ancient town with a rich history. Wander along the harbour front and explore the central market square and cathedral.
• Climb up to the hill fort to enjoy the magnificent views across the town and outer islands. Although it looks hard work, the walk only takes 30 mins.
• Soak up the exclusive harbour front, where we moor up alongside the mega-yachts!
• Boat excursions to Pakleni Islands and their wonderful beaches.
• Nightlife – Hvar Town comes alive at night, with Carpe Diem, Veneranda and the Nautica Bar giving those wanting a late night plenty of options to choose from. For couples, there are inviting waterfront cafes and pathways leading to secluded local restaurants for a more intimate evening.
• Beautiful lavender fields near Zastrazisce, Gdinj and Bogomolje.
Sunday: Hvar to Trstenik
Trstenik is a village and harbour in the central part of the southern coast of the island of Peljesac. The village has a population of just over 100 and the main occupations here are farming, viniculture (the famous Dingac wine), fishing and tourism. The beach is just downhill from the famous Grgich Vineyards and there are one or two cafes along the beach and a winery where you can taste Peljesac wine.
The coastline along the town and the neighbouring inlets is covered by groves of pine, offering fine ambience for swimming. The underwater life is stunning here and the village has a scuba diving centre. The village has remained beautifully unspoilt and is considered to be one of the prettiest in Croatia.
Trstenik is quiet and relaxing, a good place to recharge the batteries before the next day....
Monday: Trstenik to Dubrovnik
 A stay in Dubrovnik may well be the highlight of your Croatian holiday. Dubrovnik is Croatia's most visited destination and a must-see. George Bernard Shaw called Dubrovnik ‘the pearl of the Adriatic’ because of its incomparable architectural heritage. The gleaming marble streets of Dubrovnik are lined with baroque buildings punctuated by beautifully sculpted Renaissance fountains and facades. Dubrovnik's walls are the most intact and impressive in the Adriatic and clearly head the long list of Dubrovnik's sights. No wonder UNESCO named Dubrovnik a World Heritage Site...
Things to See & Do
• Astoundingly intact city walls that surround the city - 2 kilometres of one of the Europe's strongest and most beautiful fort systems - the main attraction for tourists in Dubrovnik and definitely worth walking round. Check out the cafe on the edge of the wall for astounding views over the Adriatic.
• Five fortresses - St. Lawrence and Revelin along with three others incorporated into the walls: Minceta Tower, Fort Bokar and St. John's Fortress - give an unforgettable view over the medieval city. Weddings are sometimes held at St. Lawrence's chapel or on Minceta Tower.
• The famous Dubrovnik Libertas Summer Festival is the largest cultural event in Croatia and is a celebration of music, theatre and dance. It takes place from mid-July to the end of August each year.
• State Archives in the Sponza Palace containing documents from the 12th century.
• Franciscan monastery containing the Old Pharmacy's inventory dating back to 13th century.
• Dominican monastery with Dubrovnik School of Art's collection from the 15th and 16th century.
Dubrovnik also offers a range of nightlife and is a great place to see at night. With the lights glinting off the marble streets, it has a unique atmosphere. There are a wealth of restaurants and bars in amongst the city streets and several clubs for those wanting to party hard.
Tuesday: Dubrovnik to Mljet
The untamed Dalmatian island of Mljet is one of Croatia's top sights and a paradise for anyone looking to get away from it all. The northern part of Mljet island is a pristine national park. There are few residents, no large towns and only one major road. The seaside villages of Pomena, Polace, Sobra and Saplunara attract the most visitors, who come for the hiking, biking, swimming, stunning scenery and peaceful atmosphere that reign everywhere. The lushly forested island is so seductive, it's said that Odysseus came and stayed for seven years. It is also believed that Mljet is the island of Melita, on which Saint Paul and his companions were shipwrecked on their way to Rome. The waters are rich with marine life and Mljet also produces its own white and red wine, olives and goat's cheese.
Mljet Island National Park
 The highlight and most unusual feature of Mljet National Park is the two inland salt water lakes - Malo Jezero and Veliko Jezero - connected to the sea by a narrow canal. You can stroll along the lakes on paths shaded by pine trees, bicycle through the park, rent a kayak to paddle the lakes or simply swim in the clear, blue water. In the middle of Veliko Jezero is the tiny islet of Sv Marija which contains a former Benedictine monastery dating from the 12th century. It's now a cafe, accessible by regularly scheduled small boats.
You can access the park at either end via the settlements of Pomena and Polace (pronounced PO-LATCH-E) which have most of the restaurants. The admission price for the national park is 90/30HRK adult/ kids and includes the boat trip to the monastery on Sv Marija islet.
Wednesday: Mljet to Korcula
Like a mini-Dubrovnik, Korcula town (pronounced KOR-CHULA) is a walled town on Korcula Island near some delightful beaches. Korcula Town offers one of Croatia's most romantic views and has become a top sight for cruise lines on their way to or from Dubrovnik. After visiting Korcula town, take a look at the rest of lush Korcula Island.
Sightseeing in Korcula
Most of Korcula Town was built in the 15th century when local men were renowned throughout the Adriatic for their stone-carving skills. Fortunately they left some of the best of their work on the distinctive facades of the town buildings. Admiring the architecture of the old town is a big attraction of Korcula, particularly the striking arrangement of walls and towers. Note the coats of arms adorning the southern land gate and the 15th-century Large Governor's Tower and Small Governor's Tower.
• Local legend has it that Marco Polo was born in Korcula Town (don't argue with a local on this point) and his house makes an interesting visit.
• The centre of town is dominated by the splendid St Mark's Cathedral. The Gothic-Renaissance style is superb and the interior features a Pietà by Ivan Mestrovic, Croatia's most famous sculptor.
• The town museum is an interesting excursion into Korcula's history, particularly in its display of Korculan stone carving and the Byzantine icons in the Icon Museum are worth a look.
• At night, don't miss the famous Moreska Sword Dance, a colourful spectacle of clashing swords and intricately choreographed dance.
Korcula enjoys great sunsets in the summer and the cafes and bars are good spots to take in the sunset. Massimo's Tower offers cocktails from the top (served by a pulley system) if you can negotiate the ladder to get up there! There are also a host of restaurants and within the town walls and there are also some late-night clubs which are busy in the peak season.
Thursday: Korcula to Makarska
Makarska is a picturesque town and port at the foot of the towering Biokovo Mountain. The old town core is classically Mediterranean and the newer part with hotels and resorts radiates outward. It's surrounded by delightful pebble beaches and within easy reach of Brela beach.
 The setting is stunning and the climate relatively mild since the port is protected by the mountain. Biokovo Mountain offers walks, hikes and climbs for all levels. Trails are well-marked and there are companies that offer guided tours and jeep trips up the mountain. The less energetic can take a pleasant seaside promenade or wander around the old town.
History of Makarska
High in the Biokovo Mountains lays the old village of Markar, probably the Roman Muccurum, which was destroyed by the Goths in 548. The Slavs moved in in the 7th century and spread down the coast. They were not peaceful folk. Their tribe the Neretlyans, fought continuously against the Venetians who gazed covetously on their prime real estate on the Adriatic. The Neretlyans were strong enough to force the Venetians to pay for the privilege of sailing safely past their settlement. Makarska was snatched up by the Croatian King Kresimir in the 11th century and then fell under Bosnian rule until the Turks came in 1499 and destroyed it. It remained under Turkish rule for 150 years during which time it became the main port for the salt trade for all of Bosnia and Hercegovina. When the Turks left, Venice got a hold of the town again and kept it until 1797.
Things to See & Do
- Sunset at the beach. Markarska's pebble beach is a long arc, just over the small peninsula from the harbour and offers stunning sunsets. The beach is backed by pine trees, separating it from the resort behind.
- Cave Bar and Deep Club. These 2 bars were the most popular with Sail Croatia clients in 2009 and are certainly unique. Both are set in rocky caves, with pumping music and a lively atmosphere in a subterranean setting!
- Walk to the penisula. A statue of St Peter overlooks the town and it's converniently close to the Cave Bar....
- Coffee in the old square. The old part of Markarska is small but it's a nice place to have a coffee and relax, with the old church overlooking the square. This where the locals tend to hang out.
Friday: Makarska to Split
The boat takes a leisurely trip up the coast towards Split, taking in the views of the Split Riviera along the way. Once moored up in Split harbour, there's time to enjoy Split by night, strolling along the Riva promenade, exploring the labyrythine Diocletian Palace and the many restaurants and bars tucked away in the narrow streets.
Saturday: End of the cruise
An early breakfast and it's the end of the cruise....
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