Inside, the villa had everything we needed and more. My brother, who refuses to skip a workout, had been concerned about finding a gym in such a remote spot. To our relief, the house had a bench, yoga mat, weights, a stationary bike, and plenty of space for cardio—whether running the incline up the mountain or swimming laps in the pool. Evenings sometimes turned into game nights in the entertainment room, which housed a giant projector for movies, billiards table, guitar, and karaoke-ready sound system. One night we played pool, sang badly, and watched a film, feeling more like we were in a private cinema than a rental house.
The kitchen was well-stocked for cooking, with a market in walking distance for fresh produce. While my mom is a superb cook, the few meals we outsourced at the villa were actually unforgettable. One afternoon, while out on a boat by the bay, we crossed paths with a fisherman who had just caught a couple of massive tuna. With a hand signal from our host and a nod from the fishermen in response, we bought the fish right there in the middle of the Adriatic, and that night the villa’s owner, doubling as a chef, cooked it on a traditional Croatian wood fire with just olive oil and a little garlic. Paired with a crisp Croatian white wine, fresh Mediterranean vegetables, and the sound of waves gently lapping below, it was the best tuna I’d ever tasted. A couple other nights we hired a private chef. The stellar food paired with the experience of dining alfresco with my family amongst breathtaking views was second to none.
While the villa could absolutely be the destination in itself—ideal for a restful, low-key week with family or friends—we used it as our home base for adventure. Southern Croatia is packed with things to do and see, and as our host Nikša said, most Americans come racing to see it all at once. He wasn’t wrong. Our itinerary included everything from epic boat days and historic walking tours to cave swims and even a quick border hop—Montenegro is only a 40-minute drive away.
One day we had lunch reservations at Adriatica Beach Club, complete with a complimentary boat transfer to Tivat, before winding our way through the bay to Perast and the island of Our Lady of the Rocks. It was one of those days that fills your camera roll without you noticing. But no matter how far we wandered, the best part was always returning to the villa to catch the sunset while enjoying a newly recommended Croatian wine. Every evening felt like the universe hit pause just for us while we sat with salty hair, grilled seafood, and a view that commanded us to appreciate it all.
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