Organising a group trip can be a mammoth task. Not only do you have the logistics of accomodation and transport to contend with, but you also need an itinerary of activities to suit every taste, and all without blowing the budget. With destination hen and stag parties growing in popularity by the day, organising your group getaway in another country enters a whole new organisational zone.
But imagine this. You fly to Croatia, and step on to a beautiful sail boat where a crew will attend to your every need as you cruise along the exquisite Dalmation coast. Not only will you wake up in a different location every day, one more breathtaking than the next, but everything from your meals to group outings are taken care of - and there's even Aperol Spritz on demand! Sound like that could be the perfect trip for you and your gang? Then keep reading to dsicover the Go Croatia Sail experience on the seas.
Location, Location
Croatia's exquisite coast boasts two large airports in Split and Dubrovnik, so flying in from Ireland or the UK couldn't be easier. Not to mention that these two cities are incredible places to explore in their own right. Go Croatia Sail offers four-, five- and eight-day sails for mixed groups that start and finish in Split or Dubrovnik, depending on whether you'd like to do a round trip, or travel on just one leg of the journey from one destination to another, with scenic stops along the way. From charming island towns to the cobbled streets and lanes of historic cities straight out of a Game of Thrones film set - every bit of the route is a feast for the eyes.
The shorter sailing trips are a super option for hen, stag or mixed gender parties. All you have to do is make your way from the airport to the port, where the boat and crew will be ready and waiting to check you and the other guests in. It's rare on a hen or stag party that you actually get to do any sight-seeing or travel in any meaningful way, but with a new destination on the itinerary every day, this kind of group sailing means you can island hop minus the headache.
How Does it Work?
All the boats in the fleet are locally-owned and operated, so you get the all benefit of local knowledge and hospitality. The Croatian people are known for their warm, authentic welcome and their brilliant sense of humour so the vibe on the boat is laid-back with lots of laughs.
Each route has three age categories that you can opt into: 18-35s, 30-49s, and a mixed-age group (10 to 69s) and the crew includes one or two reps who are there to make sure everything runs smoothly. They can give recommendations for where to eat, drink and visit, as well as to organise optional group activities at each location, which are tried and tested by previous guests. Fancy ziplining over Dubrovnik? A Game of Thrones Walking Tour? How about wine tasting in Korcula? They'll handle everything.
It's such a wonderful feeling to be able to put your plans in their capable hands and it will honestly save you hours of research before you go and really allow you to live in the moment when you're there. Plus it's great if you and your travel companions want to do different things - simply join up other guests on the boat and meet up with your friends later. For anyone shy or travelling solo, the reps are great at getting everyone mixing and mingling, which makes the atmosphere on board so enjoyable and inclusive from the get go.
Points for Style
There are three boat styles in ascending levels of luxury, ranging from Classic Plus (36 guests), a more rustic style of small ship; Premier and Premier Plus (36-40 guests) and Superior (36 guests). Each one has air conditioned cabins, en-suite rooms, a large salon and bar for socialising, a sun deck with loungers, but the two larger boats also have a diving paltform at the back, which is ideal for picturesque swim stops in hidden coves and larking about on of the many inflatables. Paddle boards and snorkels are also available to make the most of your daily hour in the pristine waters of the islands.
For that extra touch of extravagance, we suggest booking the superior boat as the sun deck also has a hot tub, which is the best spot in the house for taking in the sea views as you cruise, and doubles as a dipping pool for cooling off from the heat of the sun, as temperatures can hit the 30s at the hottest point of the day.
Lowdown on Lodgings
The hotel-style cabins on board are surprisingly roomy, with separate showers and great storage for your belongings. There's a difference in price for cabins above and below deck, and if it's within budget we recommend choosing the top deck to ensure you're farthest away from the sound of the engine, and also that people aren't walking past your door when the boat is moored at the port at night. It also means you can sit and enjoy the view from bed should you want a quiet moment away from the group.
Amazing Activities
Days on board have the perfect flow, with most mornings spent cruising in the sun (just what you need after a night of indulgence), then hitting all the hot spots on the Dalmatian coast come afternoon. Split, Brac, Hvar, Korcula, Mljet, Dubrovnik, Makarska are all on the route, and each has its own very special offering.
Whether you’re looking for a more refined cultural experience (Korcula), an adrenalin and adventure-filled few days (Dubrovnik) or just to let loose and party (Hvar), each island and mainland destination on the will have options for all three.
From beach clubs like Hvar's famous Carpe Diem where you can watch the sunset, to cocktail making masterclasses, rapid water rafting and paintball, to historic guided walks, the best part is that you can mix and match activities to suit your mood.
Dining and Drinks
Needless to say the bar sees a lot of action on these a sailing trip like this. Thankfully you don't have to worry about carrying cash - guests begin a bar tab on the first day, and settle up at the end of the trip. It's a good idea to check in mid-way to see that you haven't gone too wild on the Aperol Spritz or the rounds of shots! The wine list offering incredible local wines, which are almost impossible to buy outside of Croatia, and with a fully stocked bar, you can request any cocktail from the friendly bar staff who relish a challenge (and who love to ring the shot bell)!
Of course, all of that fun needs soakage, and the freshly-cooked hot breakfast each morning is a welcome start to the day. By lunchtime, the delicious smell of cooking wafts towards the upper sun deck, luring sunbathers like a siren's call for their three-course meal in the salon. The daily menu focuses on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients, and there are dishes available to suit all dietary requirements from gluten and dairy-free to vegetarian.
Who to Bring
While this kind of trip lends itself to groups, it would also suit the kind of couple who loves to socialise, and who wants to find a ready-made group of friends to hang out with. With this you can have the best of both worlds - a few days of alone-time in Dubrovnik or Hvar, followed, or preceded by, setting sail with your new crew.
Value for Money
Prices start from £419/€505 (18-35s four-day sail, below deck room). This includes accomodation, a freshly-cooked breakfast and a three-course lunch every day, fruit and water, a fully serviced bar, transport from place to place, on board wifi, and a rep to make recommendations and bookings. This really is incredible value. Boats sail from May right through to September meaning you can make the most of the best of Croatia's sunniest months, longest days and craziest nights!
See gocroatiasail.com to book and click here for more information on exclusive offers for groups.
Check out more photos in the gallery below:
