Croatia Under Sail Aboard Le Ponant

Emblem of the Dalmatian coast, Dubrovnik is magnificently positioned on a rocky spur. History is sovereign here, in this ancient city, now a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. You will perhaps be surprised by the proportions of La Placa, the central drag through the city. The sheer width of it can be explained by the fact that it straddles a former lagoon. The elegant houses along La Placa are built in the legendary travertine stone. At Pile gate, you will be greeted by the statue of the patron saint of Dubrovnik, and you can admire the coastline as you walk along the ramparts. But what’s inside Fort Saint John, adjoining the outer walls? A maritime museum and an aquarium featuring rare fish from the Adriatic.

Discover Mljet Island off the Pelješac peninsula. Known for its national park and its protected forests, this Croatian splendid, pristine island offers many opportunities for walking with bays linked to two salt water lakes. On the largest lake, Veliko Jezero, a small island is home to an old Benedictine monastery. Korčula will unveil itself in the softness of the evening, a superb mediaeval town whose fortifications have stunning views over the Pelješac peninsula. Take the time to lose yourself in its small pedestrian streets and admire its historical monuments, such as the Revelin Tower or the Cathedral of St. Mark. Allow yourself to be caught up by emotions during a private performance of Moreška, a spectacular traditional sword dance, which originates in Korčula.

You will approach Vis, a little and little-known island ignored by cruise itineraries. With your yacht at anchor, you will disembark by Zodiac in Komiža, the oldest fishing port in the Adriatic, to spend a pleasant moment in a charming setting. Far from the hustle and bustle of the city, you will set off on foot or by bike to explore the port, its old fishermen’s houses in cut stone, its small market stalls or cafe terraces and get a taste of the gentle way of life that reigns here. The ballet of the fishing boats is a reminder of the city’s essential activity and its strong connection to the sea. A few minutes from there, let yourself be tempted by a dip next to a pretty pebble beach. Opposite the turquoise water stands Our Lady of Pirates, a stunning church that shelters the oldest organ in Dalmatia. You can also enjoy an included experience, such as diving near the shipwrecks from the Second World War or visiting the island in a 4x4 vehicle up to Vis, discovering its singular history. While Le Ponant sails, a guide-lecturer will recount the island’s rich and eventful history, particularly during the Second World War. Your yacht will moor sheltered from the magnificent bay of the port of Vis. In the sea pool set up near the marina platform, you will enjoy a moment of surreal swimming. You can disembark by Zodiac to the port and discover the beauty of this preserved haven, which has been timidly open to tourism since 1990, after Croatia gained its independence. Fall under the spell of its historical heritage, which includes Roman ruins and Venetian architecture. Simplicity and authenticity are the watchwords of this rural territory, which is geared towards organic agriculture as well as responsible viticulture and fishing.

You will sail towards the popular island of Hvar, for a day in Stari Grad, an intimate port of call that is off the beaten track. Let your feelings guide you and discover this pretty city located at the end of a fertile plain, planted with vines and olive groves, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The organisation of its parcels, marked out by dry stone walls that punctuate the landscape, goes back to ancient times. Wander around the small streets at your leisure, discovering the town’s pretty boutiques and gourmet restaurants.

The stunning port of Pučišća, located on the northern coast of the island of Brač, appears at the end of a deep fjord. Le Ponant will drop anchor in the bay, and the sea pool will invite you for a delicious dip. An adapted all-terrain vehicle awaits you on shore for a morning spent exploring the island and its cultural riches. In the cradle of an ancestral stone-cutting tradition, there will be a fine encounter with a craftsman and renowned artist, Josip Radić, who makes reduced-scale models of religious buildings out of stone. You will take small roads and isolated paths through vines, and enjoy exceptional natural panoramas, such as the steep hillsides finishing their trajectory down on the shores of the Adriatic.

You will discover Šipan, a discreet island in the Elaphites archipelago and a picturesque fishing port where time seems to stand still. Let yourself fall under the spell of this naturally wooded beautiful oasis and its sun-soaked hillsides. Nicknamed the “golden island” for its fertile land, it is covered in vines as well as olive, almond, lemon and orange trees. In this authentic natural setting, you will enjoy the charm of one its beaches, sheltered from the world, for a moment of swimming.

As the sun fades, Le Ponant will drop anchor near the old town of Dubrovnik. Aboard a Zodiac, you will reach the mediaeval city and enjoy the outstanding panorama over the white-stone town, at the time when the evening light reflects its warm tonalities on the tiled roofs. Enjoy this unique moment and stroll along the ramparts where some of the evening’s visitors will still be walking. Take the time to lose yourself in this magnificent historical centre and discover charming boutiques as you wander through the small streets.

Aboard Le Ponant, you will cleave through the foam and enter the sumptuous Bay of Kotor, as the sea air leaves you with an unequalled feeling of exhilaration. The views, from your majestic yacht, are on a par with the spectacle that unfolds before your eyes. While you sail through the successive parts of this magnificent bay, the monumental limestone mountains are reflected in the deep-green waters. You may well feel a sense of humility before the natural splendour of the site. You will approach Sveti Dorde (Saint George), a charming Benedictine monastery sat on a rocky islet, before heading back out to sea.

Much of Tivat’s elegance comes from the beauty of its marina, Porto Montenegro, which attracts many influential personalities. The port’s promenade, emphasised by its line of palm trees facing the mountains of the Bay of Kotor, really is a setting with unique charm. Built in the 14th century, the town was successively governed by the Venetians and the Austro-Hungarians before the creation of the Kingdom of Yugoslavia following the First World War. Today, Montenegro's most prosperous city welcomes visitors, in particular to visit its old town or take a walk along its magnificent beaches.

Emblem of the Dalmatian coast, Dubrovnik is magnificently positioned on a rocky spur. History is sovereign here, in this ancient city, now a listed UNESCO World Heritage site. You will perhaps be surprised by the proportions of La Placa, the central drag through the city. The sheer width of it can be explained by the fact that it straddles a former lagoon. The elegant houses along La Placa are built in the legendary travertine stone. At Pile gate, you will be greeted by the statue of the patron saint of Dubrovnik, and you can admire the coastline as you walk along the ramparts. But what’s inside Fort Saint John, adjoining the outer walls? A maritime museum and an aquarium featuring rare fish from the Adriatic.