The Ultimate, Epic European Summer Adventure | Croatia

Introduction to Croatia

If you are anything like me, you enjoy summer weather. However, the Northern Hemisphere is approaching winter, and the temperatures are quickly reflecting!

Now, I know some of you love winter travel, and I will dedicate a post to some winter destinations you cannot miss, but this post is dedicated to the people who live for 80-degree Fahrenheit temperatures and 9 p.m. sunsets.

All the summer people, pack your bags and embark on an epic trip with me. 

For this adventure, we are going to the Republic of Croatia! For those unfamiliar, Croatia is a central and southeastern European country on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, across from Italy.

Its capital and largest city is Zagreb, and the nation has a population of roughly 4 million. Only a few people have heard of this country because, until 1991, it was a part of the formerly known Yugoslavia! 

Nevertheless, it has become one of Europe’s fastest-growing travel destinations, and I will highlight a neat way to explore the country! Adventurous, upbeat, and extroverted travelers, you will love this one!

Croatia’s Geography

I included an interactive map of the country for those unfamiliar with it.

I briefly summarized Croatia above, but a little bit of geography always helps with trip planning. Croatia’s coastal location in southern Europe makes for great sailing and an enjoyable Mediterranean climate for most of the year.

It is also a country with many islands. So the views are incredible, and the sunshine is plentiful. These are just a few reasons to visit one of Europe’s most picturesque places.

Yacht Week – Croatia

Let me introduce you to Yacht Week.

About twenty years ago, a group of college friends imagined sailing the world far and wide. Today, that same group of friends is sharing that dream with you by inviting you to sail with them across Europe and the Caribbean.

I am honored to say I was a part of that vision by joining the Croatia Original Route!

This is the vacation I recommend you complete next summer or whenever you get the chance.

Yacht Week’s Croatia Original Route

The best part of this adventure is that it is mainly planned for you. All you need to do is get to the port and enjoy the experience.

If you have had time to browse their website, you know that Yacht Week sails to several destinations. For this one, we will highlight Croatia’s Original Route—the definitive Yacht Week experience, the original floating festival with the biggest parties.

It is seven days of nonstop parties, fun, and exploration around the country’s beautiful islands.

Quick Tour of Yacht Week

Let us cover some quick logistics before we talk about the route itself.

Your route information is funneled through the Day 8 app (Every route is seven days, which is why the app is called Day 8, representing your return date). The Day 8 app will serve as your daily itinerary and communication app. Now, what yacht will you be floating on?

The class of boats can be divided into four main categories:

Classic
Premium
Luxury (also a Luxury + option)
Custom

The website gives you the information on whichever option you select. I recommend luxury since you would get air conditioning, and these yachts are bigger. You must either fill these yachts yourself or use a “Crew Finder” tool to sail with randoms. 

I love this idea as an extrovert but choose whichever option you prefer. I will include a “tips and tricks” section below. Now that you have the background on Yacht Week and what they do, let’s discuss other important information before getting into what made the Croatia Original Route my favorite trip.

How to Get to Croatia

Your yacht booking information will include instructions on how to get to your port of departure.

If you book Croatia’s Original Route, you must get to Split, Croatia. The airport code is SPU; most major European airlines can take you there. Yacht Week will take care of getting you to Trogir from Split’s airport.

That is the city where your adventure will start. Now, let us talk about what your days will look like.

Day 1: Start in Trogir
Day 2: Sail to Milna
Day 3: Vis, Croatia
Day 4: Explore Hvar
Day 5: Open Water of Nature Bay
Day 6: Visit Bol
Day 7: Return to Trogir

The links I provided provide more information about the itinerary, but let us explore what makes this adventure unique and why it should be on your travel bucket list.

Croatia’s Beautiful Cities

With its lengthy coastline along the Adriatic Sea, Croatia is an archipelago of some of the most beautiful islands I have seen. The country’s geography shows off, and you will feel the effects as you dock in some port cities.

Split, Trogir, Vis, Hvar, and Bol were some cities I visited during my time with Yacht Week.

The pictures do not even do it justice. The Italian-villa-style architecture makes every photo look like a postcard. Since these are small islands and cities, you will have plenty of time to explore and immerse yourself in their beauty.

When I think of Europe, I do not think of tropical island paradises. Croatia sure does appear to be the Caribbean of Europe. Croatia is worth solo exploration even if you do not sail with Yacht Week.

Check out some of the pictures below.

Croatia’s Atmosphere, Music, & Parties

My absolute favorite part of my week in Croatia was definitely the parties, and I am sure that is why most of you are interested in the Yacht Week experience.

The atmosphere of the party culture, along with some of the hottest DJs on social media, made for a week that felt like a movie. I am not trying to sound like a stereotypical Gen Z influencer, but the Croatia Yacht Week experience is a vibe.

There is no shortage of parties for the week. No kidding! And I love a good-themed party. There are plenty throughout your week.

You could honestly stroll through any Croatian town and find a club that fits your vibe. Something about what summer does to this country makes me feel alive.

I can vividly remember walking to the dance floor in Club 585. Jack Harlow’s “First Class” is playing, and I am having my music video moment: just me, the lights, and the dance floor.

If you like to party, this trip is for you because it gives off a “Project X” vibe.

Be sure to get rest and stay hydrated, but please make an effort to immerse yourself in the parties. The music at these parties is next-level. The DJs were incredible, and there was a great blend of rap and EDM.

Music unites us, which is why we love it so much. The parties are a great way to meet people, leading me to my next point about Croatia and what makes it unique!

Croatia’s People

From the tourists to the locals and the yachtmates I shared this experience with, the people who sailed with me are the most incredible people I have ever traveled with.

Like any experience, people play a big part in the energy absorbed on vacation. Energy is contagious, and I am grateful that most of the energy on this trip was high and positive. 

Raul was an outstanding skipper who kept us safe and informed. Emma was a fantastic host who made delicious meals and comforted our rooms. The people on my yacht kept me laughing until the sunrise.

The locals, for the most part, made me feel so welcome. The other tourists took pictures with me and enhanced my experience, some of whom I am still chatting with.

All this is to say that certain people go on trips like this.

These high-energy trips, where a lot happens in such a short time, usually attract friendly and adventurous souls. For this exact reason, I did not want to leave Croatia. I tried to find a good balance between taking as many photos as possible with these lovely people to cherish the memories and putting the phone away to be present.

Did I achieve this balance? I will let you judge from the pictures.

Tips & Tricks on Croatia/Yacht Week

I always want to include tips that could enhance your experience. Every trip brings memories, learning lessons, and improvement opportunities. 

If you decide to sail in Croatia, have the local currency, the kuna. Many places will not accept cards or other currencies, and I want you to be prepared.

Be prepared for the boat deposit (around 250 USD). Tipping your skipper and host, usually around 100 USD each, is also customary.

The cabins are small, even on the luxury yachts! You will share the place with someone (yes, one bed), and the bathroom is small. I would fit everything you need for the week in a duffel bag, as there is little room for suitcases. You cannot flush any papers down the toilets. I HIGHLY recommend doing your business and showering at the marinas. You and your roommate can discuss hygiene habits to make your stay pleasant. Shout out to my roommate, Abbie. She was incredible, as was my entire boat!

I do not think you need to pack a floatie. There were plenty of places to get them cheap throughout my trip. I would remember to bring a towel, one for the beaches and one for showers. The laundry services at the marinas weren’t expensive, so you can wash if you prefer to pack lighter.

As mentioned above, the Day 8 app is the primary platform for staying informed about daily activities. The app does have limitations, though, as it is hard to communicate. Try making a WhatsApp group with your boat mates, including your skipper and host. We found this was the best way for twelve people to stay connected.

Croatia’s weather is crazy! It can vary from sunny and warm mornings to downpours in the afternoon with chilly and windy nights. Pack a jacket, an umbrella, and an open mind. Because of the variation in weather, schedule changes and event cancellations will happen. Due to the weather, the tour company canceled my skydiving excursions in Hvar and Split.

There is much free time to explore. Most of the events occur on land. Please take advantage! Bring your camera as well. Photos and videos are allowed just about everywhere.

While the wristband gets you into almost every event, the experience is not all-inclusive. The host will cook meals for you, but be sure to have cash on the side for souvenirs, extra meals, excursions, and anything else not included in your package.

Make an effort to boat hop and connect with others on the trip. The people are the best part of this experience. Want to enhance your time? Make some friends and join a group.

Lastly, try to be as present as possible. Grab your pictures and post them on Instagram and FaceTime with your parents. However, try to spend some time away from the phone. It is only a 7-day sailing experience. It will pass by quickly! And you want to avoid being on the plane heading home, realizing you spent 75% of your trip on your phone. Although it has some similarities, this trip is not a cruise. You are not just sailing around. You can explore and immerse yourself in the culture and atmosphere. Please do so! How you choose to get creative with your free time will make or break your experience.

Furthermore, I want to reiterate the importance of keeping an open mind. This goes for any trip. Do not be afraid to let your skipper and host know if something is wrong. The staff are there to ensure you have an unforgettable experience. Give them the chance to blow you away! This was my first sail, and I plan to attend many more!

Final Thoughts on Croatia/Yacht Week

Remember, this is not a comprehensive post, as the words in this blog do not do justice to the actual experience. I wanted to give you a quick foundation to motivate you to have the most incredible summer adventure ever! 

I understand how difficult it is to take me seriously when I say that the vacation I just took was my most memorable experience because I say that once I return from every trip. But there is something different about Croatia and unique about sailing the route exactly when I did.

They say things happen for a reason, and everything works out for your greater good if you believe it. It was no accident that I was in Croatia with these specific people experiencing these particular moments; it was meant to be. The vibes Yacht Week aims for with its adventures were also perfect for me. 

I am an extroverted solo traveler looking to have fun and meet people along the way. So, if that is you, Yacht Week is talking to you! It truly is a blessing to be able to experience something like this. The DJ yelled into the crowd at one of the parties, requesting people to raise their drinks if they were grateful to be there. As I raised my glass, he reminded us of the blessing of being here. Because so many people do not have passports. They do not get to see the world outside the usual people they spend time with, the typical stores they shop at, and the same venues they use to entertain themselves.

There is a vast world out there, and I refuse to turn down the opportunity to take a break from the monotonous day-to-day and spend a week partying and exploring with fresh faces. 

Trips like these remind me why I blog: to experience life and inspire you to do the same.

Take that trip! Stop wondering if you deserve it and waiting for a group of people to join you. I went to Croatia solo and returned with future travel buddies. The same will happen for you when you take that leap.

Most importantly, this trip taught me to stop worrying and be present. Enjoy this time now, as it’s short! Thank you to everyone who made this trip incredible. I genuinely mean it because I returned from this life-changing experience a different person. I feel more alive and whole, and I plan on riding this high for a while.

I cannot recommend both the Yacht Week experience and the beautiful country of Croatia enough!

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you have questions about Croatia or the yacht experience, you know where to find me! 

Hopefully, I’ll see you on a trip soon, as I plan to return to Yacht Week. Until next time, beautiful people! Keep living, laughing, loving, and, most importantly, traveling!

Eric Williams

German-born American CPA & Travel Blogger

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