Win a Trip for two in the Croatia Yacht Rally in September 2010 worth

11:41 PM Tue 5 Jan 2010 GMT

'Korcula - the Venice of Croatia - Croatia Yacht Rally 2009' Maggie Joyce - Mariner Boating Holidays &copy Click Here to view large photo

Win a Trip for two in the Croatia Yacht Rally in September 2010 worth $15,000.

Mariner Boating Holidays and Yachting Victoria proudly announce their support for Variety Splash with a chance for you to win an all-inclusive trip for two on Mariner Boating Holidays 2010 Croatia Yacht Rally.

**Purchase tickets on line - follow the link - www.yachtingvictoria.com.au/event.asp?ID=29948&;format=po

Croatia Yacht Rally 2009. Written by Lynne Becker who took part in the 2009 Croatia Yacht Rally.

So we arrived in Croatia and have transferred to our yachts in the city of Sibenik after a night in Split in a luxury hotel and a stopover in the UNESCO listed town of Trogir. We are already speechless. It is all a bit of a blur and we are looking forward to relaxing on board and that is what is about to happen.

Our first day at sea is a very small hop to the charming, unknown and unpronounceable destination of Rogoznica. We sail slowly, calling at picturesque Primosten en-route, then moor on the quay and relax on board watching the towns people wander by.

Rogoznica near Primosten, Croatia - Croatia Yacht Rally 2009 - Maggie Joyce - Mariner Boating Holidays &copy Click Here to view large photo

Shall we cook on board? No - there is a very welcoming restaurant twenty metres from the gang-plank - let's do that!

Great decision!

Next morning we stroll along the quay in the early morning light watching the fishermen as we make our way to the fresh food market. Here we collect more cheeses, some schnapps, (why not) and fresh fruit. The local produce is offered for tasting before buying, so with the addition of some fresh bread that is breakfast sorted.

I could get to like this.

Today we have to waddle out to the start line by 11.00 am to 'race' to Vis. Flat water, warm sun and a good breeze welcome us to the starting area. Not too tough at all. We do a rolling start and sail in perfect conditions to Komiza, where we berth by 4.00 pm on the quay and settle in for some socialising, take a swim and check out the shops, prior to an amazing dinner in a restaurant which started life as a live lobster storage farm. And thus began the most wonderful holiday - taking in Korcula, Lastovo, Hvar, Mjlet (and by day ten we can even pronounce these places) and culminating in the city of Dubrovnik.

Isolated bay in Lastovo - Croatia Yacht Rally 2009 - Maggie Joyce - Mariner Boating Holidays &copy Click Here to view large photo

The 'small r racing' as Trevor Joyce calls it adds the spice to keep us all interested, dinners ashore after the races are well organised and give us the opportunity to catch up with everyone and hear all the stories, and the newsletters give us options to pursue on the lay days (or not - as the case may be). This is a great format for a holiday where we have enough to do and nothing to do - if that is what we want. Great people to make new friendships, history, culture, food, wine! And no moving the baggage for a wonderful two weeks. The yachts are well maintained and mooring in the marinas makes for a peaceful nights sleep.

Why would I not want to do this all over again? And when it is over I am ready to do just that.

For more information call Mariner Boating Holidays (+61) 02 9966 1244 or info(at)marinerboating.com.au