Šibenik

With over 50,000 inhabitants, Šibenik has by now grown to a size remarkable not only for the Dalmatian coast. The houses are grouped around the 2.5 km long sea inlet, which forms a natural harbour and at the same time the city centre. The sheltered position still attracts seafarers, who today are glad to drop anchor here on holiday, but who in the past supposed this to be an ideal starting point for campaigns of conquest. The city's importance as the representative centre of the Šibenik-Knin county can also be read from the fact that Šibenik was the first place in the world to be lit electrically. This is above all thanks to the engineer Nikola Tesla, whose inventions are paid homage in the film "Coffee and Cigarettes".

The nearest airport is located in Split and is connected with Sibenik by buses shuttling every twenty minutes. Anyone afraid of flying, or who likes to take their own car on holiday with them, will be pleased about Dalmatia's very well developed motorway network. As one of the youngest in Europe it is also one of the most comfortable: a multitude of service areas line the A1, and clear signposting goes without saying. Only the still active construction work could cloud the anticipation of the holiday somewhat with a traffic jam - but during the main season this disruptive factor is kept as small as possible. Simply follow the road and take the exit where it says "Sibenik"! Once you have passed Munich, however, there are still about 850 km ahead of you - anyone who, in view of this distance, prefers to let others drive can travel from Zagreb by train without changing. In Rijeka the ferries depart daily, and the two airports in Split and Zadar also make an uncomplicated journey possible, both being after all barely 45 kilometres away.

Šibenik's yacht harbour is located in the Solaris holiday complex in the Knin district. The city centre, 6 km away, is just about reachable on foot - but buses also shuttle at a comfortable rhythm between the marina and the old town. Over 500 berths are offered in the wind-sheltered bay; a five-tonne crane, hot water, high-pressure water pumps and all other desirable conveniences are on hand. The water depth is 2 metres and the berths can be rented by the day, by the week or (should you fall in love with the city!) by the month and by the year as well.

In Šibenik-Knin, a district 6 km from the city centre, lies the extensive Solaris holiday complex, which not only offers a comprehensive entertainment and sports programme but also maintains the region's finest beach. Here you can rent deckchairs and sunshades, refresh yourself in the cafés in between and, from mid-March to the end of October, camp as well.