Local cultre, authentic lifestyle, active experiences
Build local connections and family memories. Immerse yourself in the lifestyle and daily life of the islands . . .
We’ll recommend local activities, experiences and connections based on your interests, local customs & traditions and special events.
Choose your style and experiences and we will make it happen:
- Self-catering to fully staffed services and everything in between
- Insider connections and local experiences arranged specifically for you
- Driver or rental car
- Private Motor yacht with skipper on call
- Personal AE concierge/local host
Explore island lifestyle & economies
- Learn the art of stone masonry and sculpture with a local stone mason
- Visit stone quarries, Stone Mason school, mason’s workshops and sculptor’s studios
- Try your hand at stone carving and stone laying
- Learn how dry stone walls are made
- Discover the Art and Economics of Perfect Olive Oil
- Get a deep understanding of how to produce Olive oil with local award-winning producer.
- Learn everything from the history and importance of olive oil to island economy, orchard management, picking & processing techniques, pressing vs centrifuging, economics & certification requirements
- Learn about the critical role of island monasteries as the center of education, commerce, science, astronomy and intellectual life in medieval times
- Navigate the myriad inlets & waterways of the Pakleni islands, where pirates hid from pursuers
Immerse yourself in island traditions
Your private guides will take you on a cultural journey through nearby islands:
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- Tour ancient Hvar town & fortress
- Walk in the footsteps of time in medieval Korucula
- Explore island life traditions – stone carving, olive oil producion, fishing secrets
- Explore the tumultuous history of island life and the Balkans through architecture, agriculture, ancient ruins and hidden hermit caves
- Take part in the Korkyra Folk Festival and Sword dancing
- Visit Blaca, a 15th century working monestary with olive oil, honey & wine production, extensive library and observatory
- Learn the art of traditional Dalmatian cooking with local chef at your villa or in local home or restaurant
Day at sea
Enjoy exploring nearby islands, hidden coves, island hotspots by private speed boat or sail boat with skipper – some of our favorite destinations:
- Sailing around Hvar and the Pakleni Islands
- Sailing around Brac & Solta islands
- Motor boat trip to Vis and the Blue & Green caves
- Speed boat around nearby islands with choice of multiple destinations for the day
- Zip down to Medieval Korcula
- Circumnavigate Brac island on speed boat – stop along the way at famous Golden Horn beach, hidden beaches and seaside knobs
Lunch at seaside family restaurant.
Deep dive into Split, the heart of Dalmatia
Split is the cultural, wine & cuisine center of the new & creative Dalmatian cuisine. Discover the essence of Dalmatia on your private tour:
- Diocletian’s palace, cathedral and city walls
- Ancient Jewish Synagogue and cemetery
- Expansive Marjan Park
- Daily fish market
- Famous mediterranean style open air market
- Split Harbor promenade where the fashionable go for an evening stroll or morning coffee
- Mestrovic museum and villa
- Wander the alleyways and hidden backstreets of the Old Town
- Game of Thrones sites and scenes
Day trips in Split region
Split is the center of Dalmatia and a central location for historic and cultural day trips. Choose from one of our favorites, or let us know if you have any special requests.
- Explore nearby Trogir (UNESCO heritage site)
- Day trip to Historic Zadar & the “Sea Organ”
- Day trip to Krka National Park & waterfalls, Skradin & Sibenik
- Day on the Cetina River – river rafting, ziplining, canyoning
- Wine tasting on Peljesac Peninsula
- Overnight trip to Plitvice National Park
- Visit ancient Klis fortress, the protector of Split (Meereen from Game of Thrones)
- Split area Game of Thrones tour
Your style - your way
Choose your style from among our distinctive villa hospitality amenities & services for every stay:
- High quality linens, towels and beach towels
- Flexible arrival days so you can avoid the crowds save on air fare
- Local host will meet you on arrival and is available 24/7 during your stay
- Initial kitchen provisions such as basic spices, sugar, tea, coffee, local olive oil, vinegar, cleaning supplies
- Bicycles, kayaks, scooters, “water toys” delivered to the villa
- Arranging of tours and activities on the islands – biking, hiking, walking, private car, private yacht, water sports, cultural tours, wine tasting, etc.
- Baby cot and high chair as standard
- Personal choice housekeeping services – weekly, daily or other schedule
Our additional AE VILLA ESSENTIALS includes personal touch amenities & services on request:
- Extra Villa sanitation package – in depth cleaning and sanitation
- Transfer from airport by private driver or speed boat
- Personal welcome to the villa by your dedicated AE Host
- Personalized itinerary prior to your arrival with local information, activities and services
- Welcome supper on arrival with local specialties and wine
- Complimentary pre-arrival shopping for groceries and selected wines (cost of groceries and wines is additional)
- Continental breakfast served on first morning
- Grocery service on-demand
- Professional photographer to memorialize your holiday
- Private driver
- Private motor yacht with on-call skipper & chef
- Personal chef
- Mobile phone for local calls
