It was a tranquil start to the morning on board luxury charter yacht MAIA, after a calm night tucked away in a sheltered anchorage along the north coast of Vis – the Croatian island well known for its unique heritage. Spending the night as the only yacht in the bay, surrounded by clear waters and pine forests was exactly what everyone on board needed following an action-packed itinerary the previous day which included a stop in Bisevo to explore the famous blue grotto – as beautiful as the one in Capri, without the crowds.
Motor yacht MAIA
Some of the guests had risen early for a refreshing morning dip in the Adriatic while others were greeted with a morning coffee, prepared exactly as they like it by Chief Stewardess Rafaela. As second Stewardess Kristina put the finishing touches to the breakfast on the main deck table, everyone gathered ready to tuck in, while making the most of the morning sunshine. Eggs were cooked to order by the chef, who cheerfully delivered them to the table as he took the opportunity to check guests were happy with his suggestions for dinner that night.
Breakfast is served just how you like it
Everyone enjoyed the relaxed pace of the meal as the crew prepared the yacht for departure. The anchor was weighed and MAIA gracefully began the cruise across the still waters separating Vis from Hvar Island to the northeast. Motor yacht MAIA is an elegant yacht, but also an incredibly well designed, stable and efficient vessel, designed and built under the direction of none other than Captain Filip himself, who brings his family’s generations of seafaring experience and tradition to the wheelhouse.
Being underway between Croatian islands is always a magical experience, and most of the guests spent time relaxing on the sundeck’s comfortable sofas and sunpads, taking in the passing views and even spotting a couple of dolphins riding the wave ahead of the yacht. The more fitness conscious in the group took this opportunity to spend a little time in the gym. Arriving in Hvar – after just an hour’s cruise – gave plenty of time to explore the charming old port town, well-known for its bustling narrow streets and open squares, typical of the Dalmatian Coast. A leisurely tour around the town, led by a local guide, took in the architecture and history including the oldest working theatre in Europe and the Benedictine monastery – famous for its uniquely crafted agave lace. The walk up to the ‘Spanish’ fortress and hilltop Napoleon fort was well worth it and delivered spectacular views of the whole town.
Stari Grad | Hvar Island
There were two tempting choices for lunch: a drive to a family-owned winery inland or a short tender ride to Laganani Lounge for a fresh seafood feast. Those heading to the winery experienced the rugged countryside along the way, with its distinctive stone walls and vineyards. A delicious lunch followed a private cellar-door wine tasting of the best local Posip and Plavac Mali wines. Stari Grad (‘old town’ in Croatian) is one of the oldest settlements in the Mediterranean and made a fascinating and contrasting stop on the way back to the yacht.
Captain Filip had anchored MAIA in the heart of the Paklinski islands, just off Hvar – one of his favourite locations and the perfect setting for the group to reunite for the afternoon. Here, the yacht really came into her own as many of the inflatable elements – floating swim platform, bar, trampoline and slide – plus water toys had been set up by the deck crew and were ready to go. There was something for everyone from seabobs and jetskis to Efoils, kayaks and paddleboards with a keen crewmember always happy to provide advice and training or take the tender out for water skiing and fun on the towables. The sundeck jacuzzi and sunpads welcomed those who wanted a quieter afternoon, while there was an opportunity for a relaxing massage out of the sun, in the comfortable, air-conditioned lower deck spa room.
Motor yacht MAIA at anchor
MAIA’s floating dock and water toys
As day turned to evening, the beautiful sunset and cooler air invited guests back on deck for a drink including one or two of the crew’s signature cocktails – the perfect time to reflect on the day, exchange stories and photos while discussing plans for tomorrow. The chef brought fresh Dalmatian ingredients to life in a dinner of typical Croatian specialities, complemented by wines discovered on the earlier vineyard visit.
MAIA’s stunning guest suites
Hvar’s local nightlife was calling for some enthusiastic guests, as others chose to contemplate the next day’s cruise to Korcula Island, while stargazing from on deck. It was another very full day onboard MAIA, and everyone was delighted to find their cabin perfectly turned down by the stewardesses, and to sink into the comfortable beds for another restful night on this exceptional charter yacht.
