Sept 2-9 & Sept 9-16, 2023
Week1 - 1-2 SPACES - Week 2 is CURRENTLY SOLD OUT BUT WE ARE ACCEPTING A WAIT LIST
Many participants are traveling with a small group of friends. Wine-Knows will make every effort to cluster you & your friends together. Participants will be assigned their week when they sign up.
Croatia is a world class yachting destination with a wealth of >1,000 islands, idyllic coves, clear turquoise waters, and epic coastal scenery. But the remarkable beauty is only a small part of what awaits you on this special Adriatic Sea journey. There’s also the fascinating history of Eastern Europe mixed with Italian charm (Italy controlled much of Croatia’s coastline for centuries), along with a treasure trove of culture, a memorable Croatian/Italian cuisine, and beguiling wines that rarely leave the country.
Step aboard your private charter yacht in the romantic town of Trogir and join a once in a lifetime opportunity to experience Croatian coastal enchantment—-the kind that can only be experienced on a yacht with your Wine-Knows’ friends.
TRIP HIGHLIGHTS
• Visits to four United Nations World Heritage (UNESCO) experiences: the entire towns of both Trogir & Split, plus Sibenik—the only city in Croatia with two UNESCO sites
• Stop at Croatia’s most famous wine island, Korcula (also the birthplace of Marco Polo)
• Day on Eden-like Mljet island, a breathtaking National Park with two saltwater lakes
• Visit to Brac island…voted by international travelers as the best beach in the world
• Stopover at jet-set Hvar island, Croatia’s equivalent of St. Tropez
Saturday: Trogir---an Architectural Gem
Morning: The tour begins in romantic Trogir on the sea. Founded by the Greeks in the 3rd century BC, this well preserved town (the entirety of which is protected by UNESCO) is located on a tiny island connected to the mainland by a bridge. The morning will be free to explore this captivating isle of Renaissance, Baroque and Romanesque buildings which has been used for countless international film locations including The Game of Thrones.
Afternoon: All aboard! Say goodbye to magical Trogir as our yacht will now cruise north to the coastal town of Sibenik. The only place in Croatia with two UNESCO sites, Sibenik is the oldest native Croatian town on the shores of the Adriatic.
Evening: Aperitifs to celebrate our first night will be served on our yacht’s upper deck at sunset as Sibenik’s famous hilltop fortress illuminates. We’ll dine al fresco on the outside terrace with a “fusion” dinner featuring the best of Italy and Croatia’s culinary talents.
Sunday: Sibenik’s UNESCO Sites
Morning: We’ll begin with a private guided walking tour of Sibenik’s ancient narrow cobblestone streets, including a visit to the UNESCO Cathedral of St James. Like Trogir, Sibenik has also been used as a set for Hollywood movies. Those who wish to walk up to the UNESCO fortress will be able to do so to view the majestic panorama.
Afternoon: Kick back and relax in the yacht’s jacuzzi as we cruise past mind-blowing scenery to the next island, Brac.
Dinner: Dinner on board will be a seafood and fish feast, purchased this morning from fishing boats in Sibenik.
Monday: The World’s Most Beautiful Beach
Morning: Today we’ll journey around the island of Brac. As Brac is famous for its olive oil, we’ll stop along our travels to purchase some for tonight’s dinner.
Afternoon: The remainder of the day will be spent at a stupendous beach, voted the world’s numero uno in 2019. If you’re not a beach person, there’s a pretty seaside promenade that leads to a small 12th century town—its monastery features an oil painting by the famous Renaissance Ventetian painter Tintoretto.
Dinner: Dinner on board tonight will be surf and turf—procured by the chef today on Brac island.
Tuesday: Celebrity-Studded Hvar Island
Morning: Today we’ll head to Hvar town on a charismatic island that has it all: a striking harbor filled with glamorous mega-Euro yachts, a majestic hilltop fortress, an alluring town surrounded with formidable medieval stone walls, and a main square anchored by a Renaissance cathedral.
Afternoon: Free in Hvar town.
Dinner: Tonight we’ll dine on the yacht’s exterior dining area and enjoy the twinkling lights of the town and its attractive restaurant-studded harbor.
Wednesday: Wine & Marco Polo
Morning: Onward we head to our next island paradise, Korcula. The birthplace of Marco Polo, the island is also renowned for its crisp white wines.
Afternoon: Free in the island’s most enchanting town, also named Korcula. Often called “Little Dubrovnik,” this town reminds many of Dubrovnik due to its architecture, ancient stone walls, and position on the sea.
Dinner: A wine-tasting will be held before we dine featuring the island’s dry whites made from the local posip grape. An intensely aromatic and flavor-chocked varietal (think apricots and peaches), this wine also offers high acidity, thus, works especially well with food.
Thursday: Cheese & National Park
Morning: Off we head to our final island, Mljet, a breathtaking almost-deserted beauty. For nature lovers in search peace and quiet, this stunning National Park is the place to be. Two saltwater lakes await, as do a series of lush green walking trails.
Afternoon: Free on Mljet island.
Dinner: This evening our meal will feature an especially delicious goat cheese made on the island
Friday: Cruising the Dalmatian Coastline
Morning & Afternoon: Today we begin cruising to Split on a day of jaw-dropping coastal scenery. All day will be free to soak up the last sips of the yacht experience, and prepare for tomorrow’s disembarkation. We’ll stop along the way for a beach lunch on an island off the beaten path.
Dinner: Our farewell dinner will be a delectable banquet featuring Croatian specialties, along with a sampling of some of the country’s finest wines.
Saturday: Hottie Yachties Disembark
Morning: The tour ends in the Split harbor after breakfast. If you have not visited Split, it is highly recommended that you spend at least two nights in this stupendous ancient city. The entire town has been declared a UNESCO treasure. WineKnows will be happy to help with accommodations.
The Yacht
This will be a private charter. Clients of Wine-Knows
will be the only guests onboard the yacht.
Details of the yacht are below:
FAQS
The tour begins on the afternoon of Saturday in the city of Trogir, Croatia. Trogir is <10 minutes from Split’s international airport (SPU can be reached nonstop from many European gateway cities). It is strongly advised that participants arrive in either Trogir or Split at least one day before to avoid any possibility of missed air connections.
Both Trogir and Split are United Nations World Heritage Sites (UNESCO) and definitely deserve visiting either pre or post trip.
Do note that the trip has been strategically designed to begin in Trogir and end in Split, making visits easily possible to both of these special towns.
WineKnows will be happy to obtain hotel space for you both pre and post trip.
No. Group airfare has purposefully not been included to allow maximum flexibility in arrival & departure options. You may go early & stay over after the trip concludes.
Wine-Knows Travel, Inc. provides land only arrangements and does not provide airfare.
This will be a private charter by Wine-Knows. Only clients of Wine-Knows will be onboard the yacht.
WineKnows is planning to use the following yacht:
- Vintage: Built in 2020 but launched for first use in 2021
- Size: 161 feet length, 28 feet width
- 3 levels: both shaded & full sun deck, bar, formal indoor dining room & salon, outdoor dining area
- Staterooms: air-conditioned cabins, all with ensuite bathroom, windows with seaview, flat screen TV, safe, WIFI, and room service
- Dining: outdoor & indoor dining
- Amenities: Air-conditioned throughout, top deck Jacuzzi, kayaks, paddle boards, snorkeling & fishing equipment, ocean swimming deck with shower, bar, WIFI and TV/DVD. Jet ski & water skiing extra fee.
- Crew: 8 crew members (1 crew for every 2.5 guests)
Shore excursions are detailed in the daily itinerary and are included in the price. Do note that on some stops there will be no formal tour….travelers will be free to disembark and explore on their own.
WineKnows takes food seriously. Daily breakfast will feature a cornucopia of fresh fruits, yogurt, breads/cereals, juices, along with choices for individual hot entrees such as omelettes. The yacht’s chef will purchase provisions for dinner daily so menus will depend upon what is available. Plans include a seafood extravaganza, an Italian night (Italy ruled much of Croatia for centuries), a coastal Croatian themed dinner, a surf and turf meal, and a rustic Croatian dinner highlighting authentic family recipes of yesteryear.
Local products will be showcased. One of the islands is famous for its olive oil. Another island is well known for its special goat cheese. Meats will be procured from island butchers and fish from local fishing boats. Many veggies will be island produce.
No lunches will be included which allows maximum flexibility for shore excursions, as well as options to save your calories for dinner on some days!
In addition to clients from >20 states in the US, we have had several clients from Europe, Canada, Asia & even New Zealand. Our groups are composed of people from diverse occupations, singles & couples, men & women, a mix of young & old, well-seasoned international travelers as well as a few novices. All have a common interest in food & wine. The majority of participants on our tours are repeat clients or their referrals. In addition, each tour participant is a non-smoker.
The tour will be casual dress, however, the first and the last nights will be dressy so bring something special along the lines of cocktail attire. We’ll be dining outside most evenings so plan for layers. Hats are important for sun protection and good walking shoes imperative for cobblestones on shore excursions. Don’t forget to bring a swimsuit.
Consider the following 3 rules of thumb to minimize the amount of clothing required: (1) Bring layers. (2) Use the mix-and-match principal (i.e. if it doesn’t mix or match, leave it at home.) (3) Use accessories to change the look versus bringing additional clothing.
Daytime early autumn temperatures on the Adriatic Sea can vary from 65-80 degrees. Do note that evenings can be cooler on the water. Remember, there can also be wind on the water so plan accordingly for clothing.
The price is based upon double occupancy. Should you wish to share a room, every attempt will be made to find you a roommate (most of the time we have been quite successful in doing so, however if we are unable to find you a roommate, you will need to pay the single supplement of $750 US.
We have provided free time as detailed in the itinerary. It is not mandatory, however, that you attend all of the planned experiences (although most of our clients do!). This is your trip—if you would rather sleep in or simply chill on the yacht, then do it!
Yes. We accept payment through PayPal (PayPal.com). Since PayPal charges us a fee, this fee must added to the cost of the trip.
TOUR PRICES
Tour Dates*
Book Before Feb 1, 2022:
Book After Feb 1, 2022:
Sept 2-9 2023,
Sept 9-16, 2023
$6,177
$6,492
- All activities listed in the itinerary
- Double occupancy in air-conditioned rooms with ensuite bathroom
- Daily breakfast
- Daily dinner with 2.5 glasses of wine per person
- All yacht port fees, visitor taxes, and VAT tax.
- Airfare
- Gratuities for yacht staff
- Alcoholic beverages other than 2.5 glasses of wine with dinner
- Single room supplement: $750
- Daily Lunches
- A Deposit of $2,000.00 US is due at the time of booking.
- A second installment payment of $1,500.00 US is due by May 1, 2022.
- The third installment of $1,500 is due by December 1, 2022.
- The final payment is due by March 1, 2023.
- There will be a $100.00 US charge for late payments.
- Please make all checks payable to Wine Knows Travel, Inc. Trust Account.
Refund/Cancellation Policy.
- Trip cancellation insurance is *strongly recommended* and can be purchased for a nominal fee.
- A non-refundable fee of $500.00 US applies for all cancellations.
- Cancellations received prior to February 1, 2022 will be fully refunded less the cancellation fee.
- A 70% refund of the remaining funds will be made to those who cancel between February 2, 2022 and July 1, 2022.
- A 50 % refund of the remaining funds will be made to those who cancel between July2, 2022 and December 1, 2022.
- A 20% refund of the remaining funds, if any, will be made to those who cancel between December 2, 2022 and April 1, 2023.
- There will be no refunds for cancellations after April 2, 2023.
State of California Seller of Travel # 2091232-40