This luxury yacht vacation through Croatia had been on my bucket list for years. One day I thought, Why not go...and invite my clients to come along? I'm so glad I did.
If you're wondering what it's really like to spend a week sailing the Croatian islands on a luxury yacht, I recently experienced it firsthand while hosting one of our small group departures. From swimming in hidden coves and exploring historic towns to enjoying incredible meals on board, this became one of my favorite vacations—and it's the reason we're bringing it back in 2027.
What made this trip so special wasn't that we were racing from one attraction to the next or trying to check famous landmarks off a list. This was something entirely different. It wasn't about seeing everything—it was about truly enjoying where we were. This was a vacation in every sense of the word.
What is a typical day like?
Each morning we'd wake up somewhere new along Croatia's breathtaking coastline. Throughout the day, our captain would find secluded coves and hidden bays where we'd anchor for a swim in the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea. Some days we had these little slices of paradise completely to ourselves. Those quiet moments—floating in the water with nothing but blue skies above and rugged islands surrounding us, are exactly the kind of luxury I'm looking for these days.
Eventually the crew would let us know it was time to come back aboard, and true to form, I'd be the very last one climbing out of the water. I'd race downstairs to shower, throw on a sundress, skip the makeup, and inevitably sneak into lunch a few minutes late with wet hair. Okay, some clients saw me and would comment “thank you for joining us!” But no one could blame me for taking in every moment that I could being in that water.
Waiting for us at around 1:00pm each day was a beautifully prepared multi-course lunch, complete with an appetizer, entrée, and dessert. Most days, a cold beer—or, in my case this trip, a Coke Zero, would be placed in front of me just moments after I sat down. That would be thanks to the team on board that got to know all of us so well.
After lunch, there was just enough time to relax. Some people napped, others found a sunny spot on deck with a book, and a few of us simply watched the coastline drift by as we sailed toward our next destination. In the afternoons we'd dock in charming coastal towns and islands, where local guides introduced us to the history, culture, and hidden corners that make each stop unique.
One of my favorite parts of the entire itinerary, though, was what wasn't planned. Most evenings were completely ours! We included a couple of dinners, but 5 out of 7 nights we had free to enjoy meals on our own.
By only offering a few group dinners and avoiding packed itineraries it kept everyone on board happy. Everyone wandered off to explore at their own pace. Some found waterfront restaurants for fresh seafood and local wine, while others browsed boutiques, lingered in lively town squares, or simply sat by the harbor watching the boats come and go.
And yes...more than one evening ended with skipping dinner altogether in favor of a couple scoops of incredible gelato.
There was something so refreshing about having breakfast and lunch thoughtfully taken care of while still having the freedom to enjoy each destination exactly how you wanted in the evenings. By the end of the week, it felt like we'd all settled into this wonderful little bubble of vacation bliss.
It's difficult to describe until you've experienced it yourself, but this style of travel attracts a certain kind of traveler—someone who appreciates slowing down, savoring beautiful places, enjoying exceptional food, swimming in turquoise water, and allowing each day to unfold naturally rather than rushing from one sightseeing stop to the next.
If that sounds like your idea of the perfect vacation, I have some exciting news. We're bringing this journey back next year.
And this time, we're making it even more special. For 2027, we've chartered an entire luxury yacht exclusively for our group. That means the boat will be just for us, creating an even more intimate experience as we sail the spectacular Croatian coastline together.
After experiencing this itinerary firsthand, I can honestly say it's one of my favorite trips we've ever offered. I can't wait to return—and I hope you'll join us.
Also, One Thought That Was
Completely Reaffirmed
This was actually something I had been thinking about before I even boarded the yacht, but after just a few days traveling with our group, the idea was completely reaffirmed.
I work with so many families—and especially multi-generational families—who are trying to plan that one memorable trip where everyone can come together. It always starts with the same question: "Where can we go that everyone will enjoy?"
The first ideas are usually an all-inclusive resort or renting a villa somewhere in Europe. Or a big cruise ship, it has the entertainment, dining and will keep everyone together. They can be wonderful options, but they also come with their own challenges.
A villa sounds idyllic until someone has to organize rental cars, decide who's driving, coordinate grocery shopping, which person we know won’t help with dishes, choose restaurants for when the group can dine out, and somehow plan activities that work for grandparents, parents, teenagers, and little ones alike.
An all-inclusive can also be a great fit, but then the search begins for one that has beautiful accommodations, exceptional food, great service, and enough for everyone to enjoy without feeling crowded or commercial.
Then, sitting on this yacht with our group, it hit me. This is it. This is the kind of trip I'd recommend to so many families.
Call me a genius if you'd like...but honestly, this is simply what I love about my job. I spend my days thinking about travel in different ways so I can bring fresh ideas back to my clients.
Instead of asking everyone to gather in one place and figuring out the logistics yourselves... Charter a yacht.
Spend a week sailing together.
Wake up somewhere new each morning.
Swim in secluded turquoise bays.
Enjoy breakfast and lunch prepared for you every day.
Explore charming towns together in the afternoons.
Then let everyone split off in the evenings to wander, shop, enjoy dinner, or grab gelato at their own pace.
No one is worrying about who eats eggs for breakfast, who's making dinner reservations every night, or how many cars need to be rented.
The logistics are taken care of, leaving everyone free to simply enjoy being together.
Whether you're celebrating a milestone birthday, an anniversary, a family reunion, or simply looking for a truly unforgettable vacation, a private yacht charter creates an experience that's unlike anything else. It also makes for one of the coolest invitations you'll ever send to your family or friends.
"Meet us in Croatia...we've chartered a yacht." How fun is that?
Croatia is one of our favorite destinations for this type of experience. It offers all the European charm you could hope for, crystal-clear Adriatic waters, incredible food, fascinating history, picturesque coastal towns, and convenient flight options that make getting there surprisingly easy. If you've ever dreamed about bringing your favorite people together in a truly unique way, we'd love to help you make it happen.
Whether you're thinking about 2027, 2028, or beyond, let's start the conversation. We'd be happy to help you decide where, when, and what type of yacht or itinerary would be the perfect fit for your group.
FAQS
When is the best time to sail Croatia? Late May through September offers warm weather and calm seas.
Note: If you’re really a water baby and want to enjoy a lot of time in the water, it’s best to go July, August or September when the water temp has warmed up a bit.
Passenger Capacity: 36 guests, max
Crew Members: 8 professional crew & staff
Cabin Count: 18 en-suite cabins
Onboard Amenities & Features
Dining & Social: Upper-deck indoor-outdoor restaurant and a chic bar
Breakfast & lunch included every day, while most dinners were left open so guests could experience Croatia's wonderful local restaurants. We do include a welcome dinner and a farewell dinner - we can also organize other dinners either on board or on land for your group!
Relaxation Spaces: Expansive sundeck, shaded lounge area with sofas, and a deck Jacuzzi
Water Activities: Rear swimming platform providing direct sea access with complimentary paddle boards, sea kayaks, snorkeling gear, & floaties
Who Will Love This Trip? This trip is perfect if you:
Enjoy boutique hotels & small ships
Love swimming…in gorgeous water!
Appreciate excellent food
Prefer relaxing over sightseeing marathons
Enjoy traveling with like-minded people