Try travelling by Rail to Croatia...I did it last year it an easy route, not sure what it would cost now. At Split there is a good Rail/Ferry/Bus combined terminal.
Same happened to me on Plymouth to Roscoff 2 yrs ago!
Asked if I had a knife i said "I am a sailor, yes i have" had to find it, it was taken off me with no option to retreive at Roscoff. Bought another one in France, from a shop with hundreds of them on display!
Why dont Charterers take the simple route? Do RYA Quals to Coastal Skipper and/or YM offshore etc . You can then charter with confidence anywhere in the world as far as i know, it works well for me.