How to Live the Yacht Life in Croatia

Imagine stepping onto an intimate 18-cabin luxury yacht where your fellow travelers all are friends or family, waking each day to the gentle rock of the Adriatic Sea beneath you, and spending your day island-hopping through one of Europe’s most enchanting coastlines, all without the crowds of massive cruise ships. This was my experience on a week-long journey with Lastavica Cruising, and I’d love to share my adventure with you as well as information about planning your own “yacht life” journey in Croatia.

“Lastavica” means “swallow” in Croatian, and the two custom-built ships owned by Igor Stančić and his family are named after this bird that is characteristic of the Dalmatian Coast of the Adriatic Sea. We saw and heard swallows throughout our trip, and it was lovely to have a constant connection to an authentic piece of the country we were exploring.

Land & Sea Itinerary – Dubrovnik to Šibenik

My friend Susanna joined me on this trip, and since neither of us had been to Croatia we added a few days to the beginning of our trip to experience Dubrovnik, our cruise’s starting point. We stayed at the gorgeous Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik, a 5-star property with its own beach cove, within easy walking distance or a short bus ride to the walled Old City. While in Dubrovnik we rode the cable car for a bird’s eye view of the city and the coastline, walked the 16th-century city walls, indulged in local delicacies and gelato, and took a tour with our wonderful guide Romana (Contact me to book a stay at the Hotel Bellevue or to reserve a tour with Romana.). While many people are focused on the “Game of Thrones” filming locations in Dubrovnik, I found myself fan-girling over a different spot – the street from the scooter ride challenge in the most recent season of “The Amazing Race!” Susanna and I also had a wonderful, authentic experience attending a concert by the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra in a 16th century Franciscan church.

Pro Tips for Dubrovnik

• Be prepared to climb a lot of stairs if you want to really explore the Old City and its surrounding walls.
• If you will be walking the walls and going to at least one of the sites with an entrance fee (Rector’s Palace, Franciscan Monastery, etc.), purchase a Dubrovnik Pass for the amount of time you will be in the city. The pass also gives you free access to the city’s public transportation system.
• Taxis cannot enter the Old City, so if you have a lot of luggage and/or mobility limitations, choose a hotel outside the Old City walls.

Welcome Aboard the m/s Swallow

We boarded the m/s Swallow at the port of Gruž. The ship exuded “relaxed luxury,” with comfortably-sized cabins, multiple spots for both indoor and outdoor lounging and dining, a top-deck hot tub and sauna, two bars, massage room, fitness equipment, and a swim platform.

After stormy start on our first day, each of our subsequent days unfolded like pure luxury choreography. We would dock overnight and then set sail early in the morning. During cruising time, we enjoyed a leisurely breakfast as the ship carried us toward our next discovery. Mid-morning the captain anchored in a crystalline turquoise cove where we could swim or use the “toys” onboard – jetski, SUPs, SeaBob, or maybe even the inflatable slide for the bravest of us. Back onboard, we relaxed on the sundeck, maybe spending some time in the hot tub or sauna before enjoying a gourmet, multicourse lunch. Each afternoon, we docked in a different medieval port town where we could explore on our own or join an excursion, then found the perfect spot for dinner overlooking the harbor as the sun melted into the sea.

Here are some details about the places we visited on our cruise:

Day 1: Slano – Due to stormy weather, Captain Toni chose this small village in a protected cove for our first stop, and we were able to visit the 14th-century Rector’s Palace and enjoy a glass of local wine at a quiet cafe.

Day 2: Trstenik – This small port town featured a beautiful beach and the hometown winery of a well-known Croatian vintner famous for his many years of wine production in Napa Valley, CA. We had a private tour and tasting at Grgic Vina for a small group of us, arranged by Lastavica’s owner, Igor. Igor is a wine and olive oil producer himself and has many personal connections within the wine, agricultural and tourism communities in the Dalmatian area of Croatia.

Day 3: Korčula – A medieval walled city on an island of the same name, Korčula is known for its strong Venetian influences, Marco Polo connection, wineries with endemic varietals, and all kinds of active adventures to be had outside of the town center. Many in our group went on an ATV buggy excursion, while Susanna and I explored and shopped in the city center, climbed the bell tower (my “hard thing” for the day!), then rewarded ourselves with gelato and a wine tasting. We enjoyed watching the sunset and listening to the church bells and singing swallows from a bar atop a 15th-century fortress turret.

Pro Tip for Korčula – Bar Massimo, where we watched the sunset, is accessible only via a wooden ladder. You feel like you’re coming up to the bar through a trap door! It’s very small at the top, so expect to share a table with other patrons.

Day 4: Hvar – Known as the party island of the Dalmatian Riviera, Hvar has lots to offer besides clubs and nightlife. We climbed stairs and pathways up to the 16th-century Fortica fortress for sweeping views over the harbor and surrounding islands, shopped in lovely boutiques and art studios, and enjoyed a sunset view of our ship from a restaurant balcony overlooking the main promenade.

Day 5: Bol (Brač) – Bol is most well-known for its Zlatni Rat (Golden Horn) beach, which changes shape with the tides and currents of the Adriatic Sea. It also is home to the famous Stina winery, which has been producing award-winning wine since the mid-19th century and serves from its tasting room and production facility dating back to 1905. After our tasting at Stina, we enjoyed yet another breathtaking sunset view while dining at one of the harborside restaurants.

Day 6: Primošten – The old city of Primošten looks like an island (which it used to be), but it actually is connected to the mainland by a small manmade isthmus. We enjoyed exploring the old stone streets and coastal walkways, stopping at small boutiques to buy local products and, yes, eating more gelato. We checked out the beautiful Mala Raduča beach, although it was too windy to venture into the water, and found a cozy family-run restaurant in the old town to enjoy our dinner.

Day 7: Skradin and Krka – Skradin is the gateway port to Krka National Park, where people flock to see the majestic waterfalls cascading in green and turquoise pools. You can visit Krka by bus on a day trip from Split or Dubrovnik, but we loved taking the river ferry up to the park from Skradin. The town of Skradin itself is quaint and friendly, and we had one of our favorite meals at the picturesque Skala restaurant, owned and run by the Sladić family and featuring their own wines.

Day 8: Šibenik – Many call this port city “mini Dubrovnik,” a name earned by its similarity of architecture and some shared history. Šibenik itself offers a beautiful walled city and a breathtaking cathedral, along with a promenade featuring restaurants and cafes serving fresh, local specialties. In Šibenik we took a walking tour of the old city with the lovely Ivana, and a group of us went outside the city to tour a local winery owned and run by Igor’s good friend Filip Baraka. After our whirlwind day we enjoyed our last delicious dinner of our trip, and sadly had to say goodbye to our new friends, our hosts and the crew of the m/s Swallow in anticipation of our early morning departure back to the USA.

Sailing the Dalmatian Coast on a chartered yacht cruiser is the perfect escape for multigenerational families seeking shared adventure, friend groups looking to reconnect in style, and culture seekers drawn to history, wine, and extraordinary local cuisine. Whether you’re celebrating a milestone, gathering your closest circles, or simply craving the refined indulgence of small ship cruising, this experience delivers what larger vessels simply cannot: personalized service, flexibility to explore at your own pace, and access to secluded coves and charming medieval ports that remain untouched by mass tourism. The beauty of chartering an entire ship means you’re not just passengers—you’re part of an intimate community, with a dedicated crew anticipating your every need while the captain adjusts the itinerary based on weather, your interests, and those magical moments you never want to end.

Here’s the revelation that might surprise you: this “Below Deck” fantasy doesn’t come with a millionaire’s price tag. Lastavica charters start under $4000 per person for a weeklong cruise, which covers accommodations, breakfast and lunch, a Captain’s Welcome Dinner, WiFi, and the service of a professional crew dedicated entirely to your group’s experience. For families, friend groups, or any collection of people who want to feel like they’ve chartered their own private yacht without the private yacht price, this is it. I spent a week sailing these waters, exploring hidden coves, tasting wines in vineyards perched above the sea, and exploring medieval towns, and I’m already planning my return. If you’ve dreamed of a luxury sailing experience but thought it was out of reach, think again. The Dalmatian Coast is calling, and Legacy Travel Designs and Lastavica are ready to make it unforgettable!