Croatia Yacht Week: Vacay Style.

I left Europe one week ago today and I’m just starting to feel like myself again – the jet lag was an absolute beast coming home but it was worth every second of feeling sleep deprived. This ten day adults only trip yachting through Croatia (with a couple of days in Venice on the front and back end) was absolutely magical. I’ve been to Croatia at least six or seven times now and this was by far the best trip yet – if you really want to see this breathtakingly beautiful country I very highly recommend doing it by sea. Our cruise was run by The Vibee Yacht Club the same company that curates the experiences at the Sphere in Las Vegas.

Look 1

DUVIN SWIMSUIT || SEQUIN JEWELRY PEARL CHOKER AND SHELL NECKLACE || MISSONI SUNGLASSES ||

Look 2

TULAROSA BIKINI TOP via REVOLVE || VETCHY BLACK MESH DRESS c/o || SEQUIN JEWELRY NECKLACE || WALTER MENDEZ SILK SCARF |

We flew into Venice because it was a convenient flight from LA and it was only a three hour drive (with a private driver) to Pula where our cruise began. To be honest we also really wanted a moment in Italy (more on that in another post) I got this quick shot in on the Grand Canal as we were walking to meet our driver. It was crazy busy but managed to get a photo without the crowds of people.

SUSANA MONACO CROP TOP || ZARA WHITE LINEN PANTS (LAST YEARS, SIMILAR HERE) || APOLIS TOTE BAG || STEVE MADDEN RAFFIA SLIDES ||

We boarded the yacht, did an outfit change, met our fellow cruisers over cocktails and walked over to the 2000 year old Pula Arena for a Lenny Kravitz concert – it was truly spectacular (check out my Instagram highlights for visuals) after the show we wandered into town and came across the most charming little wine festival in the park across from where we were docked (everything was walking distance)

NBD CUTOUT BODYSUIT & TULAROSA MAXI SKIRT via REVOLVE || SKINNY LEATHER BELT || ETIKKA GOLD BANGLES ||

Our daily routine consisted of an early morning weigh anchor (nautical speak for pulling it up) during the 3-4 hour sail to our next destination we would eat breakfast, lounge on the rooftop deck, take a dip in the jacuzzi and order a cocktail or two. On our first full day we stopped at a private cove off the island of Losinj to swim, paddle board or zoom around on the seabob (my favorite) later we went into town for a group dinner and stroll around the town of Mali Losinj.

Day three was much of the same fabulous daytime activity of swimming in crystal clear waters and then time spent in town. Zadar pictured above is a larger city on the coast and has a beautiful waterfront with a sea organ (look it up) and views of the most incredible sunsets. It also has a wonderful Old Town with shops, restaurants and gelato stands galore.

STRIPED KNIT DRESS & PLATFORM HEELS via REVOLVE || HAT ATTACK STRAW BAG (SIMILAR HERE) ||

Day Four brought us to Šibenik a darling little coastal town adjacent to the Krka Waterfall National Park – not quite as expansive as Plitvice but certainly worth checking out. One of my favorite activities on the trip was taking a private boat from the waterfall park through the freshwater lake that eventually empties into the sea and back to our yacht – along the way we stopped at a floating platform for fresh oysters and champagne. It was such a unique and special experience.

DUVIN MATCHING SET || TULAROSA BIKINI TOP || LPA BASEBALL CAP || BLOWFISH MALIBU SNEAKERS || SEQUIN JEWELRY PENDANT NECKLACE ||

Day Five: we docked in Hvar the island known as the Ibiza of Croatia due to all its beach clubs and party vibe. I spent time here last summer but had a vastly different experience this year. We all spent the afternoon at Hula Hula Beach Club and we had an absolute blast. It was packed with summer party revelers from all over the world: music was blasting and shots were being poured (we stuck to sipping Whispering Angel) Once the sun set we headed into town where the yacht had been relocated. We enjoyed the most delicious (and well priced) pizza and made our way down to another club, the world famous Carpe Diem with the intention of taking a ferry to their island beach club. At this point we were down to only four and we just didn’t have it in us to party until dawn.

TULAROSA WHITE CROCHET DRESS || KAANAS WEDGE SANDALS (SOLD OUT, SIMILAR HERE)|| SEQUIN JEWELRY PEARL CHOKER || HAT ATTACK STRAW BAG (SIMILAR HERE)||

A short sail from Hvar is the island of Brač – known for its triangle or horn shaped beach that shapeshifts with the tides. I had never been to this island but it has been at the top of my list for so long and it did not disappoint. My husband and I both concur it was our favorite stop, unfortunately also our shortest. We were tendered in from our yacht directly to the point of the famous beach and from there easily found comfy sofas at the beach club. We couldn’t help but get up and explore in between dips in the aquamarine sea. This is probably the largest beach Ive seen in Croatia and clustered in the middle of the stone covered shore is a little forest filled with food kiosks, cafes, massage tables and public restrooms. If you continue to walk along the water towards the town of Bol there are hotels and cafes that overlook the stunning water and giant floating park. This place is ideal for families, in spite of the local nude beach, and we definitely plan to return with our son next summer.

ROSETTE SWIMSUIT via REVOLVE || HAT ATTACK BLACK STRAW FEDORA ||

Our final night was in the glorious Split – properly pronounced “spleet” but even the locals are pronouncing it the American way so “split” – as in banana – is acceptable. This is the area that my father is from and we would come here as kids but I didn’t appreciate what a vibrant, beautiful & exciting city it is until now. There are so many restaurants, even a Michelin star adorned one, but I was content just walking along the Riva (promenade) sitting at a cafe people watching, seeing the sun go down or if you are a yacht enthusiast there are some pretty spectacular ones lined up along the waterfront.

I hope you have been inspired by this post – or those on my Instagram feed – to visit Croatia. It is a magical little country that took me a very long time to appreciate even though its where my family is from. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need more recommendations on what to do, see, eat or stay!

xoxo Zia

NBD ROSETTE TOP via REVOLVE || BLACK SHORTS (OLD, LOVE THESE)|| KAANAS BLACK SLIDES (SOLD OUT, LOVE THESE)|| ETIKKA GOLD BANGLES || REBECCA MINKOFF TOP HANDLE BAG ||