ADRIATIC DRIFT

Stari Grad is Croatia's hidden gem waiting to be explored, finds Isha Mayer

- Isha Mayer

I'm lounging on a hammock, except this isn't just any hammock-it's suspended mere centimetres above the sea, stretched between two rocks, gently swaying with the waves. My partner and I are soaking up the sun and the view of the Adriatic Sea sparkling in the sunlight at a private beach at Maslina Resort in Stari Grad, Croatia. With chilled glasses of beer, we fully embrace the unhurried rhythm of island life. Following a sunbathing session, we decided to cool off by dipping in the Adriatic, now recognised as the cleanest swimming water in all of Europe.

We arrived at Stari Grad, a serene town on the northern side of Hvar island, via a ferry ride from Split earlier that day. Although Hvar is Croatia's extravagant party capital that attracts A-listers, we spent the rest of our Croatian vacation on the quieter side of the island. Maslina Resort, a Relais & Châteaux retreat located close to the Stari Grad port, was the perfect escape from Hvar town's pulsating nightlife.

MINDFUL LUXURY

'Maslina, meaning 'olive' in Croatian, is a nod to the surrounding olive groves that paint the landscape. With 50 elegant rooms and suites, three luxurious villas, and expansive grounds that stretch across two hectares of lush pine forest, the resort blends seamlessly into its natural surroundings, offering an idyllic retreat overlooking the Adriatic Sea.