Combining yachting and tourism: How to plan an unforgettable vacation

Why combine yachting with hiking?

Freedom of movement and daily change of scenery

Imagine this. You wake up in the morning, have a coffee on deck and look out over the bay you saw for the first time last night. No packing suitcases, no moving from hotel to hotel. Your hotel sails with you. It's like having a house on wheels, only this one rocks and has a better view.
Croatia is the perfect playground for this. Thousands of islands, a rugged coastline, and mountains that plunge straight into the sea. Every day, you can anchor somewhere else and go hiking in places that ordinary mortals can't reach by car. It's freedom. Pure, undiluted freedom. It means that while others are crammed onto a crowded beach in Makarska, you are standing on top of a hill on a deserted island, feeling like the king of the world. Or at least the king of the Adriatic.

Advantages of renting a boat with a captain

Now you might be thinking, "But I don't know how to sail a boat; my nautical skills end with folding paper boats." No worries. If you don't have a captain's license, just rent a boat with a captain.
And you know what's best about it? I definitely gained one major advantage thanks to this solution. While the captain has to be as sober as a judge, you can calmly open a bottle of chilled Pošip or Karlovačka. The captain steers the ship, you steer your glass. A fair division of labor, don't you think? What's more, local captains know every bay and every "konoba" where they make the best octopus under the lid. So you don't have to worry about running aground or going hungry.

When to go and how to prepare for the trip

Ideal months for an active vacation

When to go? Unless you are a masochist who loves climbing hills in 40-degree heat, when you feel like someone is hitting you over the head with a hot frying pan, choose May or September. The temperatures are pleasant, the sea is still (or already) warm, and you won't encounter crowds of tourists on the trails.
But what if you have school-age children and have to go in July or August? Don't despair. Is it just bananas, the sea, and mojito happy hour that are missing? No, it's just the coolness. The solution is simple: get up early. Set off on a hike early in the morning when the sun is not yet so hot, and around noon you can cool off in the sea. And believe me, after a morning hike, an afternoon siesta on a rocking boat tastes like heaven on earth. It's like being in a cradle, only for adults.

Safety and essential equipment for the field and on board

Now, seriously. Croatia is not just about beaches, it is a rugged, rocky landscape. And horned vipers like to bask on those hot rocks. They are not exactly the kind of pets you would want to pet. So please, forget the Czech classic – sandals or, God forbid, flip-flops don't belong in the mountains! You need sturdy, ideally ankle-high shoes. Otherwise, you're asking for a sprain or a bite.

What else?

• Water: Lots of water. Sweet drinks will only make you sticky, clean water is life.
• Sun protection: Apply sunscreen. Even if the wind is blowing and it seems cold, the sun is burning hot. A sunburned back and heatstroke will reliably ruin your vacation.
• Headgear: Better take two. It's windy on a boat, and baseball caps tend to fly away. Trust me, fishing your favorite hat out of the waves is a skill you don't want to practice.
• Water shoes: If you like to wade in the sea, don't forget them. Sea urchins are a sign of clean water, but pulling their spines out of your heel is an experience you'd rather do without.

The best locations for combining sea and mountains

So where should you set sail? Here are a few tips on where mountains and sea come together in perfect harmony.

The Makarska Riviera and Biokovo Mountain Range

This is a classic. The Makarska Riviera is beautiful, but the real drama takes place above it. The Biokovo Mountains rise directly from the beaches to a height of over 1,700 meters. The climb to Sveti Jure is challenging, but the views? It's like looking at the world from Google Earth, but live. You stand there, the blue Adriatic Sea below you, and you feel insignificant and powerful at the same time.

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Paklenica National Park and the Omiš Riviera

If you like Vinnetou, Paklenica is a must. Scenes from the legendary films were shot right here. The Velika and Mala Paklenica canyons are a paradise for climbers and hikers alike. It is a rugged beauty where the rocks cut into the sky.
And Omiš? This is where the Cetina River flows into the sea. You can visit the fortress above the town (pirate history included) or head to the Mosor Mountains. It is wild, rocky, and beautiful there.

Istria and the island of Pag

Istria offers a slightly different character. You can anchor in Pula or Rovinj and head for the Učka Mountains. It is greener, less rugged, but still breathtaking.
And then there is Pag. An island that looks as if someone stole it from another planet and accidentally dropped it into the Adriatic. Rocks, salt, wind, and sheep.

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Tips for specific hiking trails

What did I discover? That the best experiences are found where there are no crowds. Here are four specific tips.

An easy walk in Krka National Park

Let's start gently. If you have children with you or just want to "revel" like the doctor in Vesnička, head to Krk. The circular route around Skradinski Waterfall is balm for the soul. Most of the time, you walk on wooden walkways directly above the water. All around you, there is rushing water, cascades, ponds... It's kitsch, but beautiful kitsch. There are no big climbs, so even grandma and her grandchildren can manage it.

The unique lunar landscape on the island of Pag

This is for connoisseurs. On Pag, you will find a route called "The Other Side of the Moon" (Druga strana Mjeseca). And the name does not lie. The landscape there is so barren and rocky that you expect Neil Armstrong to peek out from around the corner. The trail starts near the town of Pag and leads to the ruins of a small church and the Mikula lighthouse. It is moderately difficult, with hills up to 300 meters high, but the feeling of isolation and otherness is indescribable. The blue sea contrasting with the white stone – it's a photo for Instagram like wine.

From Hvar to Milna: A journey through pine forests without crowds

Hvar is great, but during the season it's as crowded as Wenceslas Square. What to do? Escape. From the town of Hvar, head towards Pokonji Dol Bay and then follow the red trail to the village of Milna. The path leads through pine groves, the air smells of resin and salt, and most importantly, it's peaceful there. Walk along the coast, listen to the cicadas, and enjoy the solitude. In Milna, reward yourself with fresh fish or ice cream. You can take the inland route back, which is faster, but watch your ankles, as the terrain is rocky.

Climbing Mount Srđ above Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a gem, no doubt about it. But the crowds in the streets... Try to look at it from above. Literally. Mount Srđ towers directly above the city. The Way of the Cross leads to the top. It's about 2.5 kilometers, but quite a climb. Along the way, you will pass 14 crosses, and at the top, you will be rewarded with the most iconic view of Dubrovnik, just like the one you see on postcards. The old town, enclosed by walls, looks like a toy in the palm of your hand. Tip for lazy people (or those who want to save their knees): You can take the cable car up and walk down. Or vice versa. Either way, have a coffee at the top and enjoy the view. Game of Thrones fans will be in seventh heaven.

The magic of evenings on board a ship

Whether you conquered Biokovo that day or just walked around the waterfalls, the best moment comes in the evening. You return to the boat, your legs pleasantly tired (or aching as if someone had beaten you with a club, depending on your fitness level), and a shower washes away the sweat and salt. You sit on the deck, open a bottle of wine, and watch the sunset. The boat rocks gently, the lights of the harbor twinkle in the distance, and you know that tomorrow a new adventure awaits you in a completely different place. If you've never considered yachting but love hiking, think about it. It's addictive. And once you've experienced the combination of mountains and sea from the deck of your own boat, you'll never want to spend your vacation any other way. So, shall we weigh anchor?