Unveiling the Art of Bespoke Yacht Charters in Croatia with Sara Kuret
Imagine sailing along the azure waters of the Adriatic Sea, exploring hidden coves, and indulging in gourmet delights against the backdrop of the stunning Croatia's coastline. At Goolets, this dream becomes a reality as every voyage is meticulously crafted to offer unparalleled luxury and adventure.
Sara Kuret, a key member of Goolets' finalization team, is dedicated to ensuring that every detail of your yacht charter experience is nothing short of perfection. In this interview, Sara shares her insights into the art of creating unforgettable journeys and reveals some of Croatia's hidden gems waiting to be explored.
Tell us a bit about your role at Goolets
My role at Goolets is as a sales expert and a yacht charter organization specialist. However, I must say that I enjoy the second one more as I have always been someone who loves to create unique experiences and unforgettable memories for my family and loved ones. The perk with this role is that now I can also do the same for my guests.
How do you ensure the yacht crew gets everything right, like dietary preferences and special requests before guests set sail?
The only way to ensure that the guest's experience goes smoothly and that the crew is up to date with the guest's wishes, as well as all the extras like food and beverage preferences, different activities, reservations, and any other special wishes that the client might have, is to make sure that the preference list is as detailed as possible and that all extras are clear and marked by dates. This way the crew has a detailed foolproof guide to each group's satisfaction.
How do you turn guest interests into memorable experiences onboard?
Memorable experiences are made when we manage to find the correlation between the client's wishes and the unique experiences that different locations offer. I always strive to find interesting and unique experiences on as well as off the vessel to offer to my guests. Thus making the experience as unique and unforgettable as possible.
What's the secret to organizing unforgettable wine tastings and gourmet experiences on land?
The secret behind this is simply having trustworthy service providers and partners that offer high-quality products and experiences in wonderful locations and understand the story that we are trying to create for our guests.
Which excursions or tours in Croatia do you recommend to your guests?
In my list of top experiences I like to offer to our guests, one standout is undoubtedly the LIME (ex Homarus Fish Farm) on the island of Šolta. They offer a unique culinary experience with exquisitely prepared muscles and fish served in a charming stone-lined location with a small beach and a bar where the guests can also enjoy freshly mixed unique cocktails.
Next up is the Buggy tour on Korčula Island. They offer a wonderful explorational experience where they show our guests the island's hidden nooks and crannies with the grand finale being a wine and homemade delicacies tasting. Rounding out my top three is the mesmerizing sun or stargazing experience that is offered by the restaurant Villa Kaliopa on Vis Island. Besides the fact that they are one of the best restaurants on Vis island, they organize sun or star gazing experiences with a high-resolution telescope and a unique telescope (the only one in Croatia) that offers the possibility of safely gazing at the sun.
How do you ensure guests have smooth, hassle-free excursions and tours during their charter?
The principle is more or less the same as with the wine tastings and gourmet experiences. Having trustworthy service providers and partners ensures that our guests have the best possible experiences. However, the crew's role is also crucial when planning these kinds of activities, as they are the ones who work out all the micro details with the service providers to ensure that everything goes smoothly on the day of the planned activities.
Which sailing routes in Croatia do you recommend and why?
I would recommend the Split to Dubrovnik route or vice versa. This itinerary encompasses a plethora of historical sites and natural wonders for guests to explore, along with a wide array of different and unique activities to partake in along the way.
Which are the most must-visit places in Croatia during a yacht charter?
This is a hard one as there are so many possibilities. Must-see places differ based on the guest's preferences. If one is more historically oriented one should consider visiting Dubrovnik, Korčula, Trogir, Split, Zadar, Šibenik, and Ston.
If the focus is more on the nature specter then I would recommend the islands of Mljet, Pakleni Islands, Kornati National Park as well as the Krka National Park in addition to numerous smaller uninhabited islands that offer peace, quiet, and beautiful beaches for our guests to enjoy.
Party enthusiasts shouldn't miss out on the vibrant scenes of Hvar and the Pakleni Islands, while Bol on Brač Island and the Makarska Riviera offer fantastic clubs with lively entertainment throughout the season. Let's not overlook Dubrovnik and Split, both of which also serve as fantastic party destinations.
Tell us about your magic touch in arranging seamless transfers to and from the yacht
Always working with the best possible providers that we can trust makes the whole experience as seamless as possible. I always base the means of transfer on my guests' wishes and needs to ensure that they get to the desired locations stress-free and on time being it via private land transfers, water taxis, helicopters, or private planes.
How do you keep guests happy and supported throughout their charter journey?
Regular check-ups with the crew to ensure that things are going as planned are paramount for the success of the experience. It is also important to check in with the clients to let them know that we are still here and willing to go above and beyond to make it an experience of a lifetime as well as assist with any potential issues that might arise along the way.
Share a story of a tricky situation you've managed to turn around for delighted guests
There have been instances where guests' luggage failed to arrive with them at the airport near their embarkation point. Naturally, this caused frustration among the clients, as the majority of their belongings were scheduled to arrive after they had already boarded the vessel and commenced their cruise to a new destination.
With the assistance of a wonderful travel agency based in Split as well as the crews, we managed to monitor when the luggage arrived and safely transport it to the location where the client was based at that moment. Be it on land or on the sea. The clients got their luggage and were delighted.
As we conclude our conversation with Sara, it's clear that crafting unforgettable yacht charter experiences is an art form at Goolets. From personalized itineraries to seamless logistics, every detail is meticulously planned to exceed your expectations.
Ready to embark on your own bespoke adventure in stunning Croatia? Send us an inquiry to start planning your tailor-made yacht charter experience. Your dream adventure awaits!
