Villa Zad

Villa Zad enjoys an enviable, tranquil position on the hillside just outside Omis. It overlooks the beautiful turquoise sea and the quiet villages of Stanici and Celina. Stanici is a picturesque fisherman’s village, 5km from Omis and boasts a gorgeous pebble beach in the bay of Velika Luka which means Long Bay. It is a wonderful, peaceful contrast to the nightlife and fun of Makarska and Omis. You really do get the best of both worlds when staying at Villa Zad.

Omis is known as the City of Pirates, situated at the mouth of the Cetina River. It is 21km southeast of the largest Dalmatian town of Split. This characterful town is home to many churches, the 13th century Fortress Mirabella and the 15th century Fortress Starigrad, excellent shops and a renowned selection of gourmet restaurants serving fresh, locally caught fish and speciality smoked ham. Other interesting buildings include the parish church of St Mihovil, the Franciscan convent, St Peter Church, Holy Ghost Church, the Illyrian seminary, the town museum and the old cemetery of Omis. The location of the town, as well as light and fast boats, enabled the locals to become infamous pirates and for two centuries they led attacks on the merchant ships of powerful Venice, Dubrovnik, Split and other towns. The Klapa Festival during the summer is a jolly event with capella singing in churches and squares in the old town.

Just along the coast towards the Makarska Riviera, you will discover the pretty village of Mimice. The village boasts a pretty, ancient church, a charming minimarket, several quaint restaurants and several bars. The beach is a delight with shallow water and lovely scenery all around. It is very easy to relax in Mimice with its sleepy Dalmation atmosphere and its beautiful pine woods.

The Makarska Riviera boasts an excellent array of stunning beaches and pretty villages. The historical village of Baska Voda is delightful with a port and a popular beach. Once a humble fishing village, its beach, pine woods and lovely setting have made it a favourite with families. Numerous souvenir shops, friendly cafes and cosy restaurants line the pretty promenade. The quaint villages of Bast and Topici are known for their artisanal cheese, prosciutto and bread. Visitors also enjoy Promajna and the little fisherman’s village of Bratus. Makarska itself is vibrant, attractive and offers much entertainment. You can take boat trips from the marina.

The Cetina River is the ideal place for some water adventures. It is popular for canyoning with its cliff face reaching up to 180 metres and a warren of tunnels, waterfalls and lakes. Extreme canyoning with experienced instructors and professional alpine gear involves descending down the Gubavica Waterfall. It also boasts a thrilling zipline that crosses the canyon 150 metres off the ground. For something more sedate, you can paddle down the pretty river in canoes or kayaks enjoying the breathtaking natural scenery and perhaps a picnic by the side of the river. Just north of the village of Kucice, you can ride in giant inflatable donuts and descend down the small river rapids. Starting at Pensici and finishing at Radmanove Mlinice, families have a lot of fun white water rafting. You can also soar high above the river and town from Imber on a paragliding trip. It is also a very pretty picnic spot and young children just love splashing in the water and jumping off rocks.

Split enjoys stunning architecture where the buildings look as though they have just emerged from a fantasy novel. The town combines honeycombs of intricate, historical buildings with a cosmopolitan, palm-lined promenade offering tourists gourmet dining and excellent shopping. The atmospheric, narrow streets are brimming with ancient monuments, trendy restaurants, cafes, bars and a good variety of shops.