PLACE

Whole Lifestyle retreat is located on the beautiful island of Vis, in Croatia. You will be staying in a nice modern hotel right above the beautiful Adriatic beach, or a room in a villa nearby.  This place is surrounded by beautiful scenery, perfect for hiking, biking and walking in fresh air.

You can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of our small medieval town, it's traditional Croatian architecture and a number of cultural and historic sites - monastery, fortresses, abandoned military bunkers. From the small, traditional restaurants (Konobas) you can hear the sounds of songs, coming from Klapa (Dalmatian men's quire).

There are also possibilities to go diving, sailing and surfing. If you are interested in having fun you can go dancing on the beach parties.

There is a good supply of local and exotic produce at the farmer's market and stores. We are getting fresh water from a mountain spring near Komiža.

NATURE

The island of Vis is one of the largest and furthest islands in the group of central Dalmatian islands. It is situated 45 km from the mainland and is separated from the island of Hvar by the 18 km wide Vis Channel. The island has dry and warm summers and mild winters. Summer temperature is slightly lower than on the mainland.

The town and the port of Vis lie on the northern coast of the island with many cliffs, of which Gradac Cliff is most impressive (100 m). The vast Komiza Bay, with sandy bottom, is situated on the western coast of the island. There are smaller villages scattered between the towns of Komiža and Vis. The southern coast is characterized by several smaller inlets.

Komiza is placed in a bay on the western part of island Vis, under the hill Hum (600m). This is a favorite launching site for paragliders. Komiza attracts tourists with beautiful beaches. Along the eastern part of the bay, there are a lot of beaches with a small stones. There are also a few sandy beaches there.

Fruitful land on the inner part of the island gives locals the opportunity to grow grapes and fruit. Here you can find a carob ( rogac in Croatian language) which is a famous delicacy.

"The World Wide Fund for Nature has declared Vis one the the Mediterranean's last remaining untouched natural habitats. The interior of the island is much akin to a vast, wild rock garden with rosemary, sage and garlic carpeting the hillsides and softening the terraces of vineyards and olive groves.."

HISTORY

Island Vis was inhabited by the time of the Neolithic period. In the 4th century B.C., the tyrant of Siracuse, Dionisius the Older, founded the colony Issa on the island. Later, it became an independent city-state, and even minted its own money and founded its own colonies elsewhere.

In the first century B.C., the island was held by the Illyrian tribe of Liburni. In 925, it was incorporated into the Medieval Croatian state under the crown of King Tomislav. Vis was mentioned in the De Administrando Imperio of the Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogenitos from around 950 as Ies, an island inhabited by the Neretvians. In the Middle Ages it often changed rulers, and then for a long time it was under Venice, which founded the main settlement, named Velo Selo. During Venetian domination, the island's name was Lissa.

Later, the larger settlements developed also on the coast (Komiza and Luka of St. Juraj, the- present town of Vis). Administratively the island of Vis was for centuries bound to the island of Hvar. During World War II, Vis was at one point the main hideout of Josip Broz Tito, the leader of the Yugoslav resistance movement. After the war, the Yugoslav People's Army used the island as one of its main naval bases.

After Croatia became independent, its navy did not reclaim most of the facilities, and the many abandoned buildings are being used for civilian purposes.

HOW TO COME

Come to Split, Croatia by plane, boat, bus or car. Split is connected to Vis year round via car and passenger ferry lines. We will meet you in Vis.