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Croatia has been paradise for sailors for centuries. It was a dream for pirates in the Middle Ages and the queen of maritime traffic in the Mediterranean. Its unusual and indented coastline offered a safe haven for sailboats, and its friendly climate made sailing a dream up and down the Adriatic Coast - so long as the northern ‘bura’ wind wasn’t blowing.

Whether you’re a last-minute packer or a pepped-up planner, packing for a trip can often present a series of trials and tribulations. Factoring in the weather, length of the journey, and how many outfits you’ll need per day based on the activities you may or may not partake in could see your suitcase bursting at the seams or you wildly unprepared for weather woes and inappropriate day-to-night clothes.

While the wildly popular HBO series ended in 2019, Game of Thrones undoubtedly left its mark after nearly a decade on our television screens - and Croatia is lucky to benefit from the buzz.

Did you know that Croatia has 444 protected areas, making up 9% of the entire country? And in addition to Croatia’s popular national parks, which you’re likely familiar with, Croatia packs a punch with even more unparalleled beauty? As if the entire Croatian coast wasn’t already a natural wonder, the country is decorated with parcels of protected land that honor the even more pristine pieces of Croatian territory - nature parks.

Just 14.5 nautical miles and about 27 kilometers from Dubrovnik is the magical Mljet, the southernmost of the largest Adriatic islands which runs parallel to the eastern half of the Pelješac peninsula. Stretching an impressive 100 sqm, Mljet is honored as Croatia’s ‘green island’, and not without good reason - over two-thirds of the island is carpeted by dense forest, the northwestern half of which has been named a national park! But we will get more into that later.

Located west of the captivating walls of Dubrovnik, you’ll encounter the enchanting Elaphiti, a group of islands that decorate Dubrovnik’s coast. Owing its name to the Ancient Greek word for ‘deer’ (elaphos), this archipelago abounds in ragged reefs, sharp cliffs, and breathtaking seascapes with some of the Adriatic’s most stunning settings.