Chartering a sailboat with a skipper for 2 couples with sailing experience (for a week).

Years ago we hired a sailboat from a company in Verudela, the marina near Pula. They found a skipper, Marin, who we had tp pay separately. In cash. Read the fine print.

He was excellent, helped us load the boat with supplies and took us on a route around the northern Kvarner islands of Ilovik, Loshinj , Cres, Krk and Rab. We crossed from Pula to Ilovik in a Bura gale and after that we all respected each other a lot. Take pills. The monastery on Punat in Krk bay is reached only by zodiac. Worth it.

Sailing in summer in the northern Adriatic often involves motoring from port to port, but you can visit smaller ports and skippers have favourite food stops - you buy their dinner -at local spots that may be pricey but are always good.

Make sure the skipper has a cabin too. Ours had to sleep on the bench due to a booking blunder. A tad grumpy.

We hired a gorgeous Bavaria sailboat in new condition. Anchor winches matter

If you can be in Rab on the night of their medieval fair, you will never forget it. Rab is great any time. Climb the towers.