The area

Nin is Croatia's oldest royal town, with a compact old-town core that includes the Church of St. Nicholas, a 12th-century pre-Romanesque church that reportedly hosted several Croatian royal coronations.

Just outside town, Queen's Beach (Kraljičina plaža) is a long sandy stretch with shallow, warm water — a good choice with young children — and Nin's salt pans have been worked since Roman times; the Salt Museum explains how the salt is still harvested by hand today. The mud near Queen's Beach has also been used therapeutically for generations.

Zadar's waterfront is home to two modern landmarks: the Sea Organ, a set of pipes built into the steps that turn waves into music, and Greeting to the Sun, a circle of solar glass panels that puts on a light display at dusk while quietly powering the promenade's lighting. Both are a short walk from Zadar's old town.

Zadar is also home to Maraska, whose maraschino cherry liqueur has been made in the city for around two centuries — worth a taste if you're curious about local flavors.

Several beaches are within about a 10-minute drive of the villa, ranging from sandy to pebble to rock — happy to point you toward the one that suits your group when you arrive.

This part of Dalmatia has its own long winemaking and olive-growing tradition — something we know firsthand, since we grow olives and make our own wine and grappa on the property. See the About page if you'd like to try some during your stay.