Luxury Experiences on the Adriatic
Croatia
The cultural richness, the beauty of the landscape, and the wide range of exclusive experiences make Croatia a highly desirable destination for luxury vacationers. But do you really know all the luxury experiences the country has to offer? Here come six private tours and excursions that will pique your clients' curiosity and offer them new insights into Croatia's nature and culture!
Luxury Experiences on the Adriatic
Croatia
The cultural richness, the beauty of the landscape, and the wide range of exclusive experiences make Croatia a highly desirable destination for luxury vacationers. But surely even you don't know all the luxury experiences the country has to offer. Here come six privately bookable tours and excursions that will pique your clients' curiosity and surely offer them new insights into Croatia's nature and culture!
Alhambra Hotel, Lošinj
Upgrade alert! Pretty soon the Lošinj Hotels & Villas by Jadranka will conduct their exclusive day trips not with the hotel's own private jet, but with a helicopter, i.e. it's not just a view now, it's an experience, and a seriously worthwhile one at that. Accompanied by a personal guide guests will venture out into Croatia's oldest and largest national park, Plitvice Lakes. From Mali Lošinj, this picturesque natural paradise on the mainland can be reached in less than half an hour, and the sight of the lakes from above is simply magical. But the helicopter ride isn't just a gimmick or a one-trick pony. After touchdown, the true discovery begins. Thick forests and winding canyons dominate the landscape and make it hard to put your camera down. A total of sixteen lakes in various shades of blue and green are fed by underground rivers, and water cascades over the ridges. Some streams lead to the 76-meter-high (250ft.) Veliki Slap waterfall, whose spray provides a welcome relief from the heat on hot summer days. Footbridges and paths meander among the lakes and waterfalls, and you can also take a boat trip on the Koziak River. Travelers decide for themselves when it's time to turn back, or rather, their stomachs make the decision for them. So much the better, as they have the Michelin star restaurant Alfred Keller waiting for them back at the hotel. And it's one that makes Lošinj an attractive destination for gourmets from all over the world. In addition, the Alhambra Hotel has a spa with a seawater pool, sauna, gym, a private beach, a beach bar, and the exclusively rentable Villa Augusta.
Trade Contact: Lara Soldičić Vodarić, Sales Manager at Jadranka
Ikador Hotel, Istrien
If your clients are foodies, they're going to be in good hands at the Ikador Luxury Boutique Hotel & Spa. Located directly on the Opatija Riviera, situated across the sea from Venice on the east coast of the Istrian Peninsula, the accommodation offers an outdoor adventure for all gourmets who want to track down their own food. No no, don't worry – we're not talking about an intense hunter/gatherer or granola experience here, but rather about employing humankind's best friend and taking advantage of everything a dog's nose has to offer. As part of a seven-hour private tour (with hotel transfer), travelers can join a truffle hunt organized by a local truffle hunter family, accompanied by specially-trained truffle hunting dogs. After a brief introduction to the world of this extremely sought-after mushroom, the adventure begins. The search for treasure starts in the forest, where even white truffles can be found during the main season from September to November. Within about an hour the underground loot is discovered and plundered. Afterwards, the family shares old secret recipes with their guests, such as the preparation of fritaja – a traditional egg dish with truffles, of course. Other truffle-based products are also available for tasting. After that there's a visit to Hum – the smallest town in the world – with a stop at the Museums & Distillery Bar. Here, homemade liqueurs, schnapps, and gins await the excursionists. Once everyone's back "at home" at the Ikador Hotel, which has only nine rooms and seven suites, the private butlers, or "Maestros," care for their guests after a full day of adventure.
Trade Contact: Roko Palmic, General Manager
Maslina Resort, Hvar
Embark on a unique sensory journey with the luxury experience known as "The Paths of Lavender" at Maslina Resort. Boasting a selection of 50 rooms and suites, along with three indulgent villas, prepare to be enchanted as you're taken on a captivating journey that lavishes the senses. The secret lies in its history. What many visitors don't know is that the island of Hvar, the home of the resort, produced eight percent of the world'd lavender fifty years ago, despite measuring only 300 square kilometers (116sq. mi.) – about the size of Mt. Desert Island in Maine. While perhaps forgotten by the sands of time, the purple plant still blooms on every corner of the island, famous for its ornamentation and its extracted fragrances. Visitors who want to learn more about its history and the customs associated with it can visit the village of Velo Grablje, only about a 30-minute drive from the resort. It's here that visitors can take in the variety of aromas as well as the view that stretches far across the Adriatic Sea. Pro tip: every year in June, the popular Hvar Lavender Festival takes place right here! Back in Maslinica Bay, a wellness retreat awaits vacationers at the hotel's spa, where there's a wide selection of organic herbs and essential oils for aromatherapy, all of which are grown from the spa's own garden. The retreat also includes a gym, beauty salon, Finnish sauna, steam bath, hammam, and cold-water plunge pool.
Trade Contact: Marija Barba, Sales Manager
Punta Skala Resort, Zadar
Experience the ultimate adrenaline rush at Falkensteiner Resort Punta Skala, where adventure-seeking souls will find exactly what they're looking for. From daring bungee jumping, to exhilarating parachuting, to captivating kayak tours, this luxury haven offers a plethora of pulse-pounding activities. A special highlight is a full-day off-road tour through the 1,757-meter-high (5750ft.), 145-kilometer-long (90mi.) Velebit mountain range, which is often compared to the Grand Canyon and the Alps. On the Velebit Photo Safari your clients go off-road high up into the mountains to absorb beautiful views of the Adriatic, the Zadar archipelago, Paklenica National Park, and Sveto brdo – the peak of Velebit. The ride goes up to an elevation of 1,000 meters (3300ft.), then onward to the foothills of Tulove Grede. This limestone rock should be familiar to all Karl May fans – and for fans of the Old American West the picturesque Zrmanja Canyon won't disappoint! During the tour, the guide provides information about the wildlife and life as a cattle rancher. There are many stops worked in for photography and walking, but the highlight is the organic picnic in the wilderness. The tour can be booked individually for groups of four or more. And if the weather doesn't cooperate? Then the resort has a fitness and spa area as well as an entertainment center with a bowling alley, an e-gaming zone, and more.
Trade Contact: Meggy Mendes, Leisure Sales Manager
Villa Agave, Dubrovnik
Twelve properties comprise the Adriatic Luxury Hotels portfolio, including the cliff-top Villa Agave, which is located between Dubrovnik's Old Town and Lokrum Island. Rustic wooden floors and ceiling beams, antique details, and locally sourced artwork create the perfect setting for a cozy getaway – hammock, fireplace, meditation room, 24-hour butler service, and private beach included. For anyone who's itching for more adventure, we'd recommend a private boat tour to the Elafiti Islands. Depending on guests' wishes, the excursion lasts four to eight hours, or even the whole day. The skipper navigates to hidden sandy beaches, caves, and fish restaurants – some of which are located in bays that are so small they can only be reached by boat. The menu of various activities also extends to snorkeling, exploring unknown sandy beaches, or strolling through small, quaint villages. A tasting of area specialties with a local family can also be arranged. If desired, book a private excursion to the oyster farm of Ston. A traditional fishing boat takes you out to a special part of the bay – restricted to protect the ecosystem and to help local growers with their harvests. Adventurers can then take the oysters straight from the water and open them using the classic technique. Best enjoyed with a glass of wine, of course.
Trade Contact: Katija Zvone Krmek, Reservations Manager
Villa Dubrovnik, Dubrovnik
Set among pines as well as orange, lemon, and oleander trees, Villa Dubrovnik is a wonderfully fragrant retreat with its 56 rooms and four restaurants and bars. The view over the old town of Dubrovnik isn't bad either! But why only marvel at it from a distance? A much more immersive experience is a private tour of the city's alleyways, whether by day or by night. Various gourmet excursions to the vineyards of the region are also offered. Of particular interest to movie fans, however, is the "Games of Thrones" experience, which takes them to the locations of the record-breaking series in two and a half hours. Reality and fantasy quickly blur during the walk through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Dubrovnik, a.k.a. King's Landing, the largest city in Westeros. Travelers are plunged right into a story of courage and ruthlessness, the struggle for the Iron Throne, and the dark and cunning deeds of the Starks, Lannisters, and Targaryens. Among other places, the route leads to the Red Keep, St. Lawrence Fortress, Blackwater Bay, as well as the Jesuit Stairs – the location of the infamous Walk of Shame. Shame! (Sorry, we had to.) At the end of the tour, grab a drink (not included) on the hotel's roof terrace, then enjoy the sunset while you slowly return to reality. Or keep dreaming.
Trade Contact: Ivan Gajic, Director of Sales & Marketing
Let's ask the Industry: What attracts luxury guests to Croatia?
"In addition to the Mediterranean flair, the beautiful nature, and the diverse culture, the gourmet destination offers one thing above all: authenticity! Somehow everything in this country is still very loving, personal, and traditional. The hospitality is outstanding and the selection of individual luxury hotels and private villas is enormous. The unique places and coasts are well-connected for a round trip, and therefore travelers often spend some of their days on a private yacht to sail from island to island. Like any country, the best way to get to know Croatia is through its cuisine, which is why visits to an oyster farm and truffle hunting are high on the list. From a peka lunch in a quaint village restaurant to fine dining in Michelin-starred restaurants, you'll find plenty of options to make gourmet hearts beat faster. The change in the price structure due to the newly introduced euro is not that significant, since the price level in Europe has generally risen. In this respect, I personally don't notice a big difference compared to other countries, and right now it doesn't seem to be a decisive factor for our clients either. After all, there are still plenty of options to organize individual trips according to the respective budget."
Michaela Kügler, Head of Product Management at Designreisen