In Mid May 2022 I was invited to join Sasha King, owner of High Point Yachting, to sail together with her, and a group of travel journalists from London. Two prestigious boats were assigned to sail the Central Dalmatian Coast. The luxury yacht SAN LIMI, and the more traditional and romantic gulet, DOLCE VITA, The Sweet Life! I was looking forward to my role as Food and Wine concierge on this dream cruise, with these very interesting, personable, and professional young people. SAN LIMI – Priced from 35,000 Euro per week, accommodating 8 guests in 4 spacious cabins.
The wonderful and knowledgeable hostess on board SAN LIMI, Ivana, is pictured above. The group on board San Limi and the media portals they represent in London are listed below. See SAN LIMI details here: //www.viewyacht.com/sanlimi/
- Adam Hay-Nicholls – City AM
- Libby Galvin – London Evening Standard
- Sarah Finley – Kensington & Chelsea Review
- Sasha King – host – High Point Yachting
Gulet Dolce Vita is priced from 29,500 Euro per week, accommodating 12 guests in spacious well-appointed cabins, fabulous crew, excellent cuisine and friendly customer service. See DOLCE VITA details here: http://www.viewyacht.com/msdolcevita/
DOLCE VITA -15 May Our guests arrived late afternoon on an Easyjet flight from London. They were delighted with their cabins, and after settling in were soon enjoying welcome drinks on the deck and getting to know their fellow travellers. The program for the days ahead had been carefully planned, showcasing some of our favourite destinations, local wines, both fine dining, and some more homestyle cuisine, safari tours, water sports, culminating in the best of luxury sustainable tourism here in Croatia. Welcoming us on board, were Captain Niko, Chef Ivo, and crew members Ivana and Ivica. The following guests joined the captain and crew on board:
- Anna Myers – The Luxury Travel Magazine
- Anuja Gaur – Luxury Lifestyle Magazine
- Olivia Cox – blogger & influencer
- Robyn Vulinovich – Host and Gourmet Concierge
- Georgie Bentley-Buckle – PR Host
Sasha King and the girls in Split, in the ancient courtyard at Restaurant Kinoteka, and a walk around Diocletian’s Palace, the heart and soul of Split, our city I call ‘home’ and Sasha’s birthplace.
16 May After Breakfast we took the group by tender for a walk around the Emperor Diocletian’s Palace area of The Old Town in Split. For most of the group, it was their first visit to this ancient Roman City, a city that never fails to impress a first-time visitor. The sights and sounds, the ambiance and colour of Split, and all it has to offer is quite overwhelming to many who come with no prior knowledge and few expectations. By10.30am we were on our way, sailing to Island Vis, an island of many secrets, and where time seems to have stood still. An island that was closed to the public during the socialist years of Marshal Tito,1945 until 1989, and so it has become a haven for those seeking a natural sustainable landscape, freshest seafood, excellent local wines, natural and nurturing medicinal essential oils, olive oil and Mediterranean cuisine that is so delicious and affordable.
Island Vis offers many magical places to visit. The town of Vis is a beautiful old town and main port, yet Komiža on the opposite side is a ‘must see’ fishing village about to become a major luxury destination with a 52 million euro development project by Marriott Hotels combining with Croatia’s Modro Splija and PFZ Croatia Osiguranje companies. The design promises to be 5-star luxury, yet ecological and sustainable for those seeking a get-away-from-it-all relaxing style escape from reality. The project is said to remain ‘in-keeping’ with the present architecture.
The Blue Cave on Island Biševo is 4.5 nautical miles off the coast of Island Vis.. Always spectacular and today was no exception. The well-known guide from Vis, Goran Miletić, joined us for lunch on board Dolce Vita to chat to the group about the natural lifestyle he enjoys on Island Vis, and later took us on a safari tour of the island ending at Villa Kaliopa in the town of Vis. So enjoyable, and there were lots of places of interest along the route for our English journalists to write about!
Our visit to Villa Kaliopa in Vis Town was a highlight. The ambiance and warmest hospitality are always so enjoyable. Highly recommended!
17 May Today we planned a relaxing day on the Pakleni Islands, a short distance from Hvar Town. A day spent sipping cocktails on the deck, indulging in the jacuzzi, and lounging around, while others decided to go diving and snorkeling. Lunch was planned at the famous Meneghello Art Restaurant at Palmižana, a favourite spot of many international yachties since 1909, and lovers of fine traditional Dalmatian cuisine.
You can read about the Meneghello Love Story here: https://www.palmizana.com/the-family/
18 May After a lazy breakfast we sailed across to Hvar Town and moored in the picturesque harbour that is often frequented by the rich and famous. A small town that was established long ago by many Venetian traders and noblemen, and more recently the destination of those seeking sunshine, exquisite cuisine, wines of world-class, romantic balmy nights, and the pristine waters of the Adriatic. This evening our group enjoyed the excellence of Gariful Restaurant, located on the water’s edge. The service provided was hospitality plus!
A walk through Hvar Town always delights the senses.
19 May This morning our destination was the Island of Brač, sailing across the channel from Island Hvar and mooring in Smrka Cove at the 300-year-old stone house belonging to the Tomas Family. Andrea and Ivo Tomas welcomed our guests with the traditional shots of Rakija (grappa) and a delicious lunch was devoured in the most stunning setting on the water’s edge. This was a fine example of Dalmatian homestyle cuisine at its very best, together with the warmest hospitality and wines from the Tomas Vineyards on Brač. A guided safari tour of the island was arranged after lunch, including the Olive Oil Museum in Škrip, and ending in Bol for a wine tasting at the Stina Wine cellars. This evening, the mooring was at anchor near Stari Grad.
A delicious lunch prepared by Andrea Tomas and family in Smrka Cove, Island Brač
20 May A visit to the Maslina Resort in Stari Grad on island Brač was planned for the final day of our dream cruise. A day of wellness, spa treatments, and lunch designed to satisfy all who seek a healthy diet and lifestyle. The Maslina Resort has been ecologically designed, providing an excellent example of luxurious sustainable tourism in every way. A late afternoon sail across to Island Šolta was the end to a perfect day.
The ecologically designed Maslina Resort in Stari Grad on Island Hvar is an excellent example of sustainable tourism, totally designed with the environment in mind, offering the guest a complete and luxurious stay surrounded by the colours and perfumes of nature.
Late afternoon, heading into the sunset, SAN LIMI and DOLCE VITA sailed across to Island Šolta. The final Farewell dinner was held on board this evening, moored in a quiet and picturesque cove. An evening spent comparing notes, exchanging contact details, preparing and packing for the flight home to London in the morning, and the final round of friendly commentary between newly found friends.
21 May – Disembarkation in Split. Special thanks to the captains and their crews for this unforgettable journey, hugs all around, and most of all, thanks to the beautiful and charismatic Sasha King, for arranging and hosting these days of hedonistic pleasures along with the help of Georgie Bently-Buckle and myself. A great team effort with hopes of reuniting again sometime in the future. Robyn Vulinovich in Split, Croatia. www.myhiddencroatia.com
PS: Our guests received a very generous gift pack of IMMORTELLA Natural Skincare products, Made In Croatia; https://immortella.eu/en/ Pure BRACHIA Olive Oil from Island Brač; Lavender sachets, brochures, and a map from the Central Dalmatia Tourist Board. Our guests appreciated the generous hospitality and gifts of quality.
The yachting sustainability of this cruise was emphasized by the use of NATURESAFE cleaning and disinfectant products, Made in Croatia and certified 100% Organic. https://naturesafe.hr/