Sailing in Croatia: Hvar Adventure to Mark End of Busy 2011

Hvar's premier sailing specialists announce New Year activities to coincide with the Laser Europa Cup regatta, extending Hvar's 2011 season to December 31.

The highly successful and high profile 2011 tourist season for the island of Hvar will continue right up to the New Year bells with the announcement of a special end of season sailing course package by Hvar Adventure on its website on November 23, 2011, a course which coincides with the final regatta of the year, the 35th Laser Europa Cup.

New Year Sailing School and Regatta

The island's leading activity specialists, whose adventure sports includes sailing, sea kayaking, hiking and rock climbing, are laying on a special seven-day elementary sailing school to complement the various other activities which will see Croatia's premier island - rated number 5 destination for 2012 by Lonely Planet - into the New Year.

It what promises to be a busy time in the island's waters, the Hvar Adventure sailing school course will take place from December 26 to January 2, with accommodation included on a half-board basis at the Hotel Delfin in Hvar Town.

Sailing Throughout the Year

While Hvar is known for its vibrant peak season nightlife, whose highlights this year included Prince Harry infamously jumping into a Hvar nightclub swimming pool fully clothed, and Beyonce revealing her baby bump to the world at a Hvar beach club, the island's tourism offer continues through the year, with the focus moving away from the beach during the winter months.

A busy sailing calendar is one of the constants throughout the year, and there are a number of regattas around Hvar and throughout the Adriatic, where keen sailors can crew with the Hvar Adventure team. December alone sees two important races: the Christmas HRM Race(10-11 December), a triangle race followed by a navigational race around Split, sponsored by the Navy; and the Laser Europa Cup.

The latter, in its 35th year, is an international sailing event from December 28 - 31, which has special local poignance this year for the Zvir sailing club, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary.

New Year Celebrations on Hvar

After a quiet autumn on the tourist front, allowing locals to attend to the all-important olive and grape harvests, New Year is a big celebration on Hvar, and attracts a number of tourists. Leading the way this year is the island's top hotel, Hotel Adriana - fresh from its inclusion in Fodor's Top 100 Hotels in the World last week - which is offering an attractive spa and luxury half-board package over the New Year period.

The various events promise to bring a successful conclusion to the 2011 season, with preparations already underway for a busy 2012, in light of the Lonely Planet endorsement.