You've always heard your dad talking about his dream to be on an overseas voyage. And now, when he is retired, you have a chance to make his dreams come to reality.  

You are hearing him fantasizing about a place with untouched sandy islands surrounded by turquoise waters, flourishing green forests, exciting cliffs, and sound as beautiful as a fairytale town. Thinking about his lifelong dream, you ask yourself - does this palace exist? Sounds too good to be true, right? Wrong! The good news is that this place exists called Croatia. 

This magnificent country is located on the coast of the Adriatic Sea and offers visitors several beautiful areas to explore on land and sea. With a rich history and unrivaled natural beauty, Croatia has many reasons to visit for your dad. The people there are friendly, and the food over there is delightful.  

Apart from all this, Croatia has an incredible coastline, making it one of the world's best sailing destinations. And this makes it a perfect vacation for your old man who always wanted to have an adventure in a sailboat. There he'll find gorgeous islands, extraordinary wildlife, and peaceful bays. 

For ages, many of Croatia's islands can only be accessed by boat, and that's why sailing will give your dad the chance to discover the area the way it is meant to be. So before you set him on the voyage of the lifetime, we bring you 4 unique places your dad needs to see when sailing in Croatia.

●    Split 

This is Croatia's second-largest city, where a majority of sailing trips begin and end. Consequently, visitors probably won't resist flying into Split since the adventure begins and ends from there. But this historic city will give your old man more reasons to stay there and spend a few days of sightseeing.    

The city is centuries old and in the middle of the town stands the 4th-century Diocletian's Palace, and it's not a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Anyone who visits there can't stop mesmerizing the antique buildings and narrow streets, which reminds of a city designed for people who travel on horses, not cars. And not to forget about the street performances that add a unique charm to the whole experience of the city. Hence, this is a perfect place for your old man to start his sailing adventure while learning about Croatia's rich culture and history.  

●    Krka National Park 

The next most famous landmark of this country is the Krka National Park, known for the most picturesque waterfalls. The national park is within driving distance of Zadar and Split, but we are sure your father would love to get there by boat. There he can rent sailboat and effortlessly sail through Šibenik to the dreamlike village of Skardin. There he can drop the anchor and spend a few hours exploring the town. Or, hop right into the bus to Krka and find what it has in store for curious visitors.  

The island is characterized by tall lush trees, calm water, and shiny colors. Chances are, your old man won't be able to stop himself from capturing every view he lays his eyes on since the whole place is overflowing with incredible natural beauty. To get a little taste of the history, take turns to the island of Visovac sitting in the middle of Krka River, home to a monastery built-in 1455. The monastery not only offers visitors mind-blowing views but also has historical significance. During the tumultuous times in the history of Croatia, it was a hiding place for books, which makes it even more important and beautiful.

●    Dugi Otok 

Just 30km ahead off the coast of Zadar is situated Dugi Otok, known as the "long island," the result of its long and stretched shape. The island is beautiful. However, your old man can find the most impressive area on the south end of the island. There, your old man will discover the Telašćica National Park, and without a single thought, there he'll drop the anchor of his sailboat. It has the most stunning salt lake anyone would ever see. After spending some quality time there, your father and his loved one can head back to the western side of the island (in the direction of the ocean) and will find some majestic-looking cliffs. 

Oh, and also, don't forget to visit Sakarun Beach in the northern area of the Dugi Otok. This little scratch of sand is a strong contender for Croatia's most famous beaches. What makes it so unique is that, once you are in the Mediterranean, top-quality sandy beaches will sound like a distant dream, but that's not the case here.  

The water at this beach is shallow - only 3m deep which goes up to 300 m from the shore - a perfect place to swim. Moreover, the whole area is surrounded by tall pine trees, making for unparalleled scenery and soothing shade in the summer. Give a little nudge to your imagination and add the perfect view of boats anchored a few steps away, and there is nothing that can beat this view.

●    Vis 

We can write pages retelling you about the rich past of the island of VIs, but the stories will come to life for your old man when he sets foot there. As a result, it's an essential part of a Croatia sailing trip, and not only because of the natural beaches and splendid caves - though Stonica and Silver Moon Beach should be must-visit places on your old man's adventure in Croatia.   

Vis gained a lot of popularity after the film shooting of 2018's Mamma Mia 2. However, it was first inhabited in the 4th century BC, and until the 1700s, it was under Roman's jurisdiction, and then Italian. In the 18th century, governance was passed between Austria and Italy, and in the end, Yugoslavia in 1920. 

The EndNote 

Croatia is a perfect tourist destination for someone with a taste of adventure and a love for sailing. And if your dad wants to sail in the boat during his post-retirement life, there could not be a better gift for him than a trip to this beautiful country.