Organised by sailors for sailors, the first Dubrovnik International Regatta will take place in 2012 from the 10th-14th May. The three day event is contested in the silky blue waters of the Adriatic Sea off the coast of Croatia and involves as series of pursuit races full of excitement and fun in the stunning surroundings of medieval Dubrovnik.
ITC Sports have teamed up with Adriatic International Regatta’s Limited (AIR) to make the sailing event in Dubrovnik happen and have a full sailing programme to enjoy throughout the weekend. The final race will be held on Sunday 13th May whereby the winning team will be awarded the much coveted AIR cup. Contestants and visitors are invited to stay at the 5-star luxury Spa and Resort, Palace Hotel a short drive from the city centre.
The regatta is appealing to contestants and spectators alike and the organisers are hoping to get people involved by inviting visiting sailors who do not have boats of their own to register their name so they can be allotted as a crew member of another boat, essentially creating a new team and building an immediate camaraderie. It promises to be a spectacular inaugural year and the organisers are hopeful its success will see it become a permanent fixture in the international sailing calendar.
The organizers of the Dubrovnik Adriatic International Regatta were inspired to stage the event by the unique Croatia coastline with its dramatic scenery and its idyllic golden-sand beaches. But not only does Croatia have an alluring coastline, Dubrovnik was chosen as it alone is recognized as one of the emerging destinations in Eastern Europe.
With its spectacular historical ramparts, extraordinary architecture and pleasant townhouses, its little wander that the medieval city of Dubrovnik is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Circumferences by two kilometers of defensive walls, the city echoes of its chequered past, not only historical, but its recent torment as well. Look closely and you will still find pock marks in the walls left over from the Yugoslavian revolution in the early 1990´s.
Boasting a wealth of cultural monuments, elegant churches and dominating walls of the fortified Gothic Castle, the Croatian capital is quite rightly dubbed as the pearl of the Adriatic. Simply walking through the old city, history buffs will have a field day, but Dubrovnik´s main claim to fame are its powerful defensive walls, built in the 13th and 16th Centuries are recognizes as the finest still standing in Europe.
Other places of historical interest include the 15th Century Rector´s Palace with its outstanding sculptural Gothic renaissance architecture and is a must see, particularly when they are hosting a festival. When you are not watching the sailing you should also check out the main artery of Stradn with its bohemian cafes and quaint fashion boutiques. This lively promenade drives straight through the heart of the city and has been the principle gathering point for locals since the 11th Century.
If you are interesting in the more recent history of modern day Croatia, pay a visit to the Memorial Room of the Defenders of Dubrovnik which paints a vivid and moving picture of the revolution towards the end of the 20th Century and saw the former Yugoslavia carved up into four independent states. The heartbreaking events of the civil war between 1991 and 1995 are displayed in graphic yet artistic detail.
If you have not had enough of boats or have been inspired to ride the waves yourself take an Adriatic crossing to one of the many islands in the Dubrovnik Riviera such as Mljet National Park with it historical vials and sweeping promenades.
This article was written by Emma Jobs on behalf of Housetrip, specialists in holiday lettings. If this article has inspired you to travel to Dubrovnik, Croatia be sure to check-out their selection of apartments in Dubrovnik.