Istria Sailing Tour Wine & Sails
Wine & Sails: Tasting Istria Expedition in Croatia.
16-23.05
An 8-day wine expedition sailing tour along the coast of Istria, Croatia — sea, wine and wineries, beautiful towns, fascinating people, tastings, hidden bays, and Mediterranean cuisine. Croatia is famous for its crystal-clear waters, rich culinary traditions, centuries-old wine culture, pleasant climate, and colorful towns with architecture worthy of Netflix films.
Wine & Gastronomy Tour with a Wine Expert Under Sail
The Istria Sailing Tour “Wine & Sails” in Croatia is not just an 8-day sailing itinerary. It is a full immersion into the gastronomic pleasures of the northern Adriatic. This is a journey with a guide, stories, and wine expert Anna Eugenia Yanchenko, where we sail between towns, bays, and wineries, wake up on the water, stroll through historic streets, taste oysters straight from the farm, meet local winemakers, and start every morning with a glass of sparkling wine. If you love wine, travel, atmosphere, and beauty — this trip is for you. You will return changed.
Istria is the northwestern region of Croatia, a large peninsula surrounded on three sides by the waters of the Adriatic Sea. It is where the sea meets wine, olive oil, ancient towns, and the passionate love of locals for their land. Having lived close to Italy for centuries, Istria has preserved its Italian vibe — in the streets, markets, conversations, and cuisine. We will live on a catamaran sailing Croatia or a yacht, move along the Istrian coast, talk, taste, explore, and truly feel the region.
Tour at a glance
- Country & Region:
- Croatia, Istria / Adriatic coast
- Starting location
- Pula
- Tour duration:
- 7 nights / 8 days
- Available boats:
- Monohull boats and catamarans
- Tour format:
- Yacht tour with skipper
- Tour type:
- Gastro tour
- Skill level required:
- None (suitable for beginners)
The exact route may vary depending on weather and guests’ preferences. Daily sailing distances are flexible and adjusted for comfort
No night sailing. No long exhausting passages.
Organizers of the Wine Sailing Tour & Guest Wine Expert
To truly get to know wine — to learn how to taste it, appreciate it, explore it, and understand its deeper meanings — we will be joined by wine expert Anna Eugenia Yanchenko. She is a wine researcher working internationally, the author of two wine bestsellers, a wine educator, sommelier, cultural scholar, and an experienced ambassador of Ukrainian wine around the world
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To help you better understand Istria and the world of yachting, the Biletsky Brothers will be with us — guiding, explaining, and giving you a real, tangible experience of sailing and Croatia throughout the journey. Along the entire route, our Let’s Boat skippers will be by our side, responsible for safety, the yacht, and peace of mind at sea. You don’t need any prior sailing experience — the only requirement is your desire to be part of this journey.
We accompany you in the towns, at the wineries, during tastings — taking care of every detail so you can simply live this experience, without thinking about the logistics behind it.
Tour on the PHOTOS
These and many other bright moments await you during your week-long sailing vacation with us
What to Expect on This Wine & Gastro Tour in Istria
This is a journey for those who love travel with meaning — and with taste.
Over 8 days, you will experience:
- 5 wineries and 39 wines
- 7 styles of sparkling wine and morning tastings on board
- 4 ancient Istrian towns (Pula, Rovinj, Poreč, Motovun)
- The Roman Arena in Pula
- The Early Christian Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč (4th–6th century)
- An oyster farm in the Lim Channel
- Olive oil tasting and the story of its production
- 3 gastro-dinners prepared by the organizers on board
- Asparagus, truffles, and local delicacies
- Guided walks through towns filled with captivating stories
- Accommodation on a modern Lagoon 42 catamaran and a Sun Odyssey 440 yacht
And all of this — in the rhythm of the sea and the sun.
Without rushing. In good company. With the feeling that you are not on a tour, but on a journey with friends.
Tour Program of Istria Sailing Tour Wine & Sails
If you have the time and desire, you’re welcome to arrive a few days before the tour begins or stay a little longer after it ends — and by prior arrangement, we will organize even more excursions, discoveries, beauty, journeys, and tastings for you.
We meet in the morning in the town of Pula.
We begin with a walk through the city and visit the legendary Roman Arena, where gladiators once fought. Then – the Olive Oil Museum and a tasting.
After that, we head to the family winery Babos for our first introduction to local Istrian wine. While we are tasting, the organizers are taking care of provisions and preparing the boats.
Babos is a small, cozy family winery where the third generation now crafts wines on seven hectares of red soil. Traditions – exactly as they are.
Later, we settle onto the boats, have dinner on board, and spend the evening getting to know one another.
Our first night on the water.
We wake up on the boats, enjoy breakfast, and start the morning with a sparkling wine tasting. Then we set sail, passing the Brijuni Islands and two beautiful lighthouses. These maritime giants captivate everyone – still active and guiding sailors to this day.
Next, we arrive in Rovinj one of Croatia’s most beautiful towns. Stroll through its narrow streets, explore galleries, and soak in the charm of the old town.
We visit the family-run Dobravac Winery for a tasting. This small winery specializes in Malvazija wines but offers a full range, each named after a musical composition. The winery also has a unique tasting room with an incredible view over the hills of Rovinj.
You’ll have the opportunity to dine at a local restaurant overlooking the sea or the old town.
Overnight stay near Rovinj.
Morning. Coffee. Sparkling wine.
A short sail to the Lim Channel.
We visit an oyster farm, taste fresh oysters and wine – right where they are grown.
Then we anchor in a wild bay. Swimming, a SUP board, and the option to have lunch at a good local restaurant nearby.
Dinner on board.
And an overnight stay surrounded by nature.
Morning on the water. Breakfast and… a tasting of a new style of sparkling wine.
We sail to the town of Poreč. Walk through the city and visit the legendary Euphrasian Basilica with its mosaics and museum.
After that, we head to Kabola Winery for a tasting. Kabola is local and traditional, yet with a distinctive touch – they age their wines in amphorae and qvevri.
Return to the boats.
A slow morning. Breakfast. A short sail.
Did you think we would forget about sparkling wine? Of course not. You’ll taste it even before the yacht lifts anchor.
We travel to the town of Motovun – a medieval hilltop town, the capital of Istrian truffles.
We visit Tomaz Winery for a tasting.The winery is located in a unique place — near forests rich with white truffles. They say the aroma of truffle can even be sensed in their top wines.
Dinner on board. Conversations. Rest.
A full day on the boats.
Swimming in the sea, sailing along the coastline, and plenty of time together.
Tastings and conversations on board with wine expert Anna Eugenia Yanchenko.
Lunch and dinner on board.
In the morning, we head out to sea with breakfast and sparkling bubbles, and visit the Meneghetti wine & hotel estate for a tasting.
Meneghetti — the most beautiful winery in Istria, carries the vibe of Provence, with refined, noble, almost aristocratic wines.
We’ll walk among vineyards and olive trees, tasting as if we were the bohemia of the 1930s.
We return to Pula and dock in the marina.
Time for a walk through the city if you wish. A farewell evening, dinner, packing.
Our last night on the boats.
We wake up, finish packing, have a final morning coffee, and by 9:00 AM we leave the boats – they will be cleaned and prepared for the next journey.
If your schedule allows before heading home, you’ll have time to wander once more through this ancient historic city, visit a museum, explore the legendary Aquarium with its beautiful fish and sea creatures, stop by a few shops for gifts for yourself and your loved ones — and perhaps enjoy one more glass of something delicious and local.
Tour Pricing & Yachts
Prices are indicated per person in a double cabin. Most often, cabins are shared (one double bed). There is also an option to book the entire cabin for yourself at a special rate, or to reserve the cabin for the two of you (you + the person you plan to travel with). Please choose the package and date that suit you best during registration. For this tour, we select the most suitable sailing yachts or catamarans. You can expect modern interiors, thoughtfully designed cabins, and spacious decks for relaxing under the sun. With a professional skipper on board, each yacht offers a refined balance of privacy, safety, and effortless sailing — so you can focus on the experience and enjoyment, not on organizational details.
1 person — €2800
Double cabin — €5490
1 person — €2550
Double cabin — €4980
1 person — €4550
Double cabin — €8980
The Gastronomy and the Culture of Istria
Istria is a region where food and wine are part of the culture just as much as language or architecture.
Olives have been grown here for centuries, wine has been made for generations, and local products and traditions are treated with deep respect.
We will taste oysters прямо on the farm, talk to winemakers in their cellars, sample olive oil where it is truly valued, cook on board, and dine in historic towns. Some of the gastro-dinners will be created by our team right on the boats — using local ingredients, good wine, and even better conversations.
Every morning — a glass of sparkling wine.
Not as a celebration.
But as a way of life, for these days.
Pula, Rovinj, Poreč, Motovun — these are towns where layered history can be felt in the air. Romans, Venetians, the Middle Ages — narrow streets, stone, mosaics, temples, fortresses, and waterfronts.
We won’t simply sail into these towns from the sea.
We will walk through them. Listen to their stories. Climb narrow stairways. Step into small galleries.
And see Istria not from a tourist map — but from within.
What’s Included in the Tour Price
Our tours vary in program and level of intensity. The price of this particular tour includes the following:
✅ What’s Included
- Yacht charter and all necessary documentation
- Skipper services
- Bed linen, towels, and kitchenware (Each participant receives a blanket, pillow, bed linen, and a towel for the duration of the trip. No need to bring these with you — everything is clean, comfortable, and beautiful.)
- The full tour program
- 5 wineries and tastings there
- Morning sparkling wine tastings
- Support and presentations by a wine expert
- Our guidance in the towns
- Entrance to museums and landmark sites included in the program
- Provisioning for the boats (breakfasts and lunches)
- 3 gastro-dinners prepared by the organizers
- Visit to an oyster farm and oyster tasting
- Olive oil tasting
- Fuel for the catamaran / yacht according to the route
- Fuel for the dinghy
- Water and electricity refills
- Marina berths according to the route
- Final cleaning of the yacht
- Tourist tax (required by Croatian law)
- Transfer from/to Pula Airport
❌ What’s Not Included
- Travel to and from Pula
- Personal expenses in towns and restaurants
- Travel insurance and any costs related to personal evacuation
- Hotel accommodation before or after the tour (if desired or required)
- Single occupancy supplement
- Personal clothing and equipment
- Shorts
- Sports trousers / lightweight pants
- 2–3 short-sleeve T-shirts
- 2–3 long-sleeve T-shirts
- Fleece sweatshirt or hoodie (it can get cool in the evenings)
- Windbreaker or waterproof jacket to protect from wind, spray, or rain
- Deck shoes with light, non-slip soles (or dedicated sailing shoes)
- Shower slippers (Crocs are fine)
- Swimsuit / swimwear (for women, we recommend a closed one for swimming and an open one for sunbathing)
- Cap or sun hat
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Personal items
- Power bank, chargers
- Personal first-aid kit
Optional Extras
- Snorkel mask / goggles (the water is very salty)
- Fins
- Thin wetsuit for swimming
- Sailing gloves (or regular sports/work gloves)
- Coral shoes (sea urchins sit on the rocks)
- Musical instruments, if you play — evenings will be more fun
- It’s best to use a soft bag or backpack instead of a suitcase. We are happy to provide additional tips and advice if it’s your first time on a yacht.
Important Conditions for Croatia sailing
The route may be adjusted depending on the weather — the skipper always makes decisions to ensure the safety and comfort of guests.
Flights are arranged independently, but we can provide recommendations for logistics.
Ready for a journey where the sea meets wine?
Join the Istria Sailing Tour “Wine & Sails”.
Eight days after which Istria, yachting, and wine will forever hold a special place in your memory and heart.
FAQ
We accept payments by credit card, bank transfer, and through online payment systems. All transactions are official, secure, and protected.
Yes, nothing inspires confidence in the future like a prepayment. To confirm your booking, a prepayment is required, with the amount depending on the chosen tour or charter. The remaining balance is paid according to the agreed terms. We can discuss this individually.
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