Whether you are looking for a family getaway, a holiday with a group of friends, or a romantic vacation, Croatia has a myriad of picturesque destinations to suit. Ranging from Dubrovnik with its beautiful, historic Old Town and coast, to the beautiful Croatian islands, each with its own personality. The following article gives a taster of both city and island breaks, and the stunning properties we offer there, which we hope will to help you decide which is best for you!Once your flight has arrived in Dubrovnik or Split, there are several options for taking a pedestrian or car ferry to your chosen island. The state-owned company Jadrolinija runs all the car ferries in Croatia, as well as many passenger ferries, connecting the islands to the mainland. Jadrolinija and Kapetan Luka are two companies which also manage fast catamaran connections from Split to Hvar Island, and the islands of Korcula and Brac.
Discover DubrovnikDubrovnik sits in a wonderful seafront location on the Dalmatian Coast and has a lot to offer visitors, whether you are attracted by its historic Old Town district, its restaurants, its numerous cultural activities and festivals, or just relaxing by the sea. The Old Town is surrounded by its original walls which, at the time, were built for protecting the city from invasion. Today, visitors can enjoy the great experience of a one-way walk around the walls, which takes about two hours and offers magnificent views over the town and the sea.Lovers of history will also enjoy exploring the old streets and buildings, including the Rector’s and Sponza Palaces, the Cathedral, St. Blaise’s Church, and one of Europe’s oldest pharmacies, housed within the Franciscan Monastery. Those looking for cultural activities can enjoy museums, art galleries and a theatre, all just a short walk away, as well as a great choice of restaurants and cafés.
Recommended villas:Dubrovnik Harbour (7 bedrooms, 13-16 guests)This large hillside villa overlooks the city’s medieval walls and is just a short walk from the Old Town, 100m from the beach and close to the harbour, with sailing opportunities. The villa is actually two houses joined together by a courtyard, with large terraces to help you take full advantage of the wonderful views, as well as a swimming pool.
Villa Zaton Bay (6 bedrooms, 12-14 guests)Picturesque Zaton Bay is just a 10-minute drive from Dubrovnik and is home to this beautiful villa. Dating back to the 15th century, the villa was originally built as a summer retreat for Dubrovnik’s aristocrats and is a wonderful example of Renaissance architecture. Original historic features have been retained while contemporary design touches and modern comforts have been respectfully added. The villa has a private garden with swimming pool, and also two outdoor terraces on the first floor, with stunning views over the sea and the marina
Villa Ombla (3 bedrooms, 6 guests)Located in a peaceful and quiet location, just 6 kms from the centre of Dubrovnik,Villa Ombla benefits from wonderful views out to the sea and nearby marina. Close to the source of the Ombla River, guests can enjoy the beautiful Mediterranean vegetation, as well as ducks, swans and small waterfalls. Outside the villa, there’s a swimming pool and a garden, while in the basement, guests can enjoy a jacuzzi, spa, sauna and gym. The villa offers a personal concierge service, and guests are also welcome to visit the property’s wine cellar, with its unique selection of premium wines from Croatian vineyards. Traditional Dalmatian meals can also be arranged here.
Embrace the history of HvarTo get to Hvar Island, you can take a passenger ferry from Dubrovnik or the port of Split. There’s a car ferry service from Split to Stari Grad (a 20-minute drive from Hvar town) or a fast catamaran from Split to Stari Grad. If you want to arrive even more promptly, there’s a private speedboat transfer option from Split airport to Hvar town, which takes an hour. Situated between the islands of Brac and Korcula, Hvar offers an impressive combination of history – with its fortress, cathedral and Franciscan monastery with Renaissance architecture and paintings, as well as one of the Europe’s oldest public theatres, established in 1612.Hvar town is absolutely charming, with its cobbled streets and tree-lined promenade overlooking the sea. There’s also an extensive range of restaurants, tavernas, cafés, bars and night clubs. As well as the beaches on the island, we can recommend vineyard visits and wine tastings, and Hvar is also the centre of lavender production in Croatia. There is a Summer Festival on Hvar from June to October, and Festa Vina (the Wine Festival) in Jelsa from the 20th-28th August 2022.
Recommended villas:Vista Pakleni (7 bedrooms, 14 guests)From its hillside location, this villa offers wonderful views of the Adriatic Sea and the beautiful Pakleni Islands. The coast, with a pebble beach, is just a 7-minute walk from the villa, which is also a 6-minute drive from Hvar town. The property has swimming pool, an outdoor gym, a spa, sauna and a massage table. The property is also an ideal venue for a celebration, including a small wedding.
Villa Hvar (5 bedrooms, 10 guests)The beautiful Villa Hvar is situated in the historic centre of Hvar town, just 20m from the waterfront, and boasts a garden with a swimming pool which can be heated on request. The owner here can arrange a boat and skipper – and will also recommend special restaurants accessible by boat.Travelling in a smaller group? We also offer one and two-bedroom apartments belonging to the same owner, which are also in the heart of the historic centre, on a charming street just 50m from the waterfront.
KorculaThe island of Korcula can be reached by a 15-minute passenger crossing further up the coast at Orebic, where the ferries run more frequently. Dubrovnik and Split also have both passenger and car ferry options, as well as a catamaran service. Korcula offers a beautiful landscape of woodland, olive groves, vineyards, small stone villages and both sand and pebble beaches. For history lovers, the main town of Korcula is one of the main attractions here, a medieval walled ‘city’ with narrow cobbled streets and much architectural evidence of its Venetian history. Marco Polo was said to have been born here in 1254, and there’s both a Marco Polo Tower and a Marco Polo Museum in the town.Korcula produces excellent wine, so wine tours and tastings are a popular activity on the island, as is dining in local restaurants, particularly the three with Michelin stars. Korcula also hosts a festival each year, including the famous tradition of the Moreška sword dance, which tells the story of an abducted princess. For lovers of water sports, there are also professional sailing and windsurfing schools, as well as boat rentals. Renting a boat is a great way to explore the stunning coastline. Why not enjoy a picnic in one of the small coves and visit the neighbouring islands?
Recommended Villas:Villa Blato (6 bedrooms, 12 guests)This brand-new designer villa is situated on the south of the island, with direct access to the sea. The interiors, spread over two floors, are spacious and airy with high ceilings. A lower floor opens out onto an infinity swimming pool and large terrace with barbecue, which is furnished for al fresco dining and relaxing in the sun. Next to the main house is a fully equipped gym, and tennis courts are nearby, as well as hiking and cycling paths. For the sea, there are paddles and snorkels, and a local scuba diving centre. Jet skis or a boat with a skipper can be booked, and daily trips can also be arranged to the islands of Lastovo, Mljet, Vis and Hvar.
Twin Korcula Views (3-6 bedrooms, 6-12 guests)These are two identical villas, situated side by side, which can be rented separately for up to 6 guests, or together for up to 12. Situated on the coast opposite Orebic on the mainland, they are just steps from a small pebble beach. Each has a rooftop terrace with a heated pool and a hot tub with hydro-massage, as well as a spacious sundeck for enjoying the sea views. Both also have a sauna and gym on the ground floor.
BracBrac is the largest of the central Dalmatian group of islands and can be accessed both from Split by passenger and car ferry, or on foot by catamaran from Split to Sutivan, Bol or Milna. As well as its natural beauty, Brac island is known for its rich cultural and historic heritage, including its limestone quarries which have been a source of stone for centuries, used in buildings including the Diocletian Palace on Split and the White House in Washington.Outside the island’s charming villages and towns, Brac is a haven of tranquillity, and a drive along its winding roads will take you through a landscape of pine forests, vineyards and olive, orange and lemon groves, with many routes leading to deserted beaches and caves, archaeological sites and ancient monuments. The island is also known for its excellent olive oil, and there’s an olive oil museum with tasting room in Skrip in the north of the island, dating back to the 1860s. In the south of the island, Stina Winery in Bol is also recommended, as visitors can taste a number of local white and red wines and enjoy food platters and local olive oil. Bol is also close to famous Zlatni Rat beach, and around 30 minutes’ drive from Sumartin, home to most of our luxury villas on Brac.
Recommended villas:Villa Sumartin 2 (4 bedrooms, 8 guests)Just a 5-minute drive from the fishing village of Sumartin, this villa sits in a quiet bay right on the edge of the Adriatic Sea, with views to Hvar island. With rustic chic décor and direct sea access, as well as a swimming pool and terrace, Villa Sumartin 2 is a connoisseur’s choice. We offer two other luxury villas in the same bay, including Villa Sumartin (6 bedrooms, 12-14 guests) next door, which can be rented together with Villa Sumartin 2 to host up to 20-22 people.
Another property close by is the beautiful Villa Bliss (5 bedrooms, 10 guests). These three villas are private but can also be perfect for groups of friends and family who want to stay near each other. All the villas benefit from direct sea access, and staff can arrange many local activities, including boats with skippers,yoga,hiking, massages, paddleboards, bikes and kayaks.