Island-hopping in the Adriatic: The perfect way to explore Croatia’s hidden jewels

Why settle for just one holiday destination when you could wake up each day in a brand new place? Croatia is justly famous for its many beautiful islands, scattered across the azure waters of the Adriatic. An island-hopping cruise, complete with travel in a modern vessel, is the perfect way to visit these islands to soak up the unique culture of each little jewel.

What can I expect?

Most island-hopping packages feature a cruise of around 7 nights. This can often be combined with other elements, such as a further period at a local resort or mountain retreat.

Accommodation

Even a novice at waterborne travel will be impressed by the quality of the shipboard accommodation. Category A ships have cabins with bunk beds to sleep two, although an additional bed can be added, and have a private shower and toilet. Newly-built A+ Category vessels feature air-conditioned accommodation with full en-suite facilities and twin or double beds. The Deluxe option has roomier en-suite cabins for your comfort.

Which islands will we visit?

There is a fabulous variety of islands to explore whilst winding your way down the Dalmatian coastline, each with its own unique appeal. Mljet features stunning salt lakes, housed within its National Park, Hvar is renowned for its sunny aspect, whilst unparalleled swimming spots can be found on Brac. Korcula is also famous as the birthplace of Marco Polo. Cruises generally include a visit to the wonderful walled city of Dubrovnik, crammed with historical buildings and picturesque streets. Itineraries vary, and can sometimes be adapted to suit your personal tastes.

What extras are included?

Passengers in A+ vessels can enjoy a Captain’s Dinner and a guided sight-seeing tour. Deluxe accommodation includes a Captain’s dinner with live music, free drinks with your meals, services of a tour manager, several sightseeing tours, an evening dinner cruise in Dubrovnik and a Croatian village party.

When is the best time to go?

The season opens in March, and the days can be quite warm, although the sea is still cool. If you prefer a more temperate climate, then April, May and September are the best times, as the attractions will be in full swing but you can enjoy them in comfort. The height of summer sees temperatures climb, and the destinations can become crowded during the summer holidays, but June, July and August are the best times for sun worshippers, with long days giving you ample opportunity to explore each island. October and November see the season slow down, but the water is beautifully warm after all the summer sun, and daytime temperatures are still around 20C.

How do I get there?

Packages usually include flights, and overnight accommodation can be arranged for cruises with an early departure time. Many operators, such as Transun, offer flights from a range of regional UK airports, making your journey quick and easy.

A sea cruise combines the opportunity to visit many destinations, so why not take a look at what companies such as Transun have to offer, and look forward to a holiday with a difference.