TED’S FAVORITE DESTINATIONS: CROATIA

THE DALMATIAN COAST

Over the years I’ve had the opportunity to travel quite a bit for work. As a sailor, my jobs have taken me to some of the most exotic and remote places on earth. Among these places, the Dalmatian Coast along the Adriatic Sea in Croatia is one of my all-time favorite cruising grounds because of the amazing sailing and the natural beauty of the country and culture. A few years back I had the opportunity to skipper a boat in Croatia for about a month. Traveling by boat allowed us to explore areas of Croatia many people do not see: uninhabited islands, secluded bays, hidden crystal clear waterfalls and sleepy fishing villages that seem to be untouched by time.

KRKA RIVER AND NATIONAL PARK

The highlight of the trip for me was our day sail up the Krka River to Skradin, a small village at the entrance to the Krka National Park. As we sailed upriver to Skradin we passed fishermen with the day’s catch, steep cliffsides plummeting into the clear blue water and hidden bunkers, relics of a countryside marred by war decades ago.

The journey reminded us of the area’s long history, which was most apparent once we reached the Franciscan island of Visovac, where a 14th century monastery dominates the island. After we toured the monastery, we moored our yacht along the monastery’s stone wall and hiked a dirt road to Kraka Falls.

Krka National Park covers 67 miles along the Krka River. The most scenic attraction is the waterfalls where visitors can swim and explore the area around the pools. The Skradinski Buk pool boasts almost twenty waterfalls with and a huge area where visitors can relax and take in the flora and fauna. Curious birds and colorful flowers add to the incredible experience.

PLITVICE LAKES

Plitvice Lakes National Park is a series of 16 lakes that are connected by cascades, and is an absolutely breathtaking expanse of lush green and electric blue. You can walk across winding bridges that are mere feet away from some of the bright blue waterfalls. The large park is protected, and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since the 1970s, which keeps its forests pristine.

SKRADIN

The town of Skradin has several small restaurants that serve local cuisine. If you find yourself there, you should walk along the tight cobblestone streets to find one of these establishments and eat outside in their private garden. Croatia is known for its healthy diet. Most dishes include some locally caught seafood like grouper or in Croatian, Skarpina, and octopus. The fish is usually served with a pasta or risotto and local vegetables. My favorite dish, surprisingly, was an appetizer of fried sardines in the whole. They were the perfect snack after a long day on the water.

This was just a brief part of my Croatian exploration, an adventure that I will remember forever. The countryside is beautiful, the people charming and friendly, the cuisine savory and the water the bluest on earth. Sailing in Croatia and exploring the Dalmatian Coast should be on every sailor’s bucket list!

Post was originally published on the Boundless Explorer Blog