Whether yacht owner or charterer, the Adriatic, namely the coast of Croatia and its offshore islands, has been the undisputed favourite area of most German and Austrian Mediterranean sailors for many years. Accordingly, harbours and bays were regularly full, especially in the high season from mid-June to the end of August. This year, however, there is no sign of the hustle and bustle.
Although the coronavirus pandemic has not hit the country as hard as many other countries - not least thanks to the swift and rigorous measures taken by the Croatian government - people and the economy on the Adriatic are also suffering from the consequences of the restrictions. Among other things, tourism and the sport of sailing initially came to a complete standstill.
When Croatia finally reopened its borders, the area presented itself from a long-forgotten side to the few who made their way there: quiet, relaxed, unspoilt. Vid Slapnicar, who has been sailing the coasts of Slovenia and Croatia for 30 years, went sailing for us. He says he rediscovered his homeland, almost as he remembers it from his childhood - when the mass tourism of today had not yet reached the country.
Slapnicar's thoroughly unusual cruise report can now be read in YACHT (issue 17/2020, can be ordered here as a print and digital edition ). Or you can download the article directly via the link below.
