A cozy house a few steps from the beach -- our single-level family home consists of living rm & kitchen, 4 bedrooms, 3 baths + outdoor shower, 2 gourmet kitchens (indoor and covered outdoor), 2 front garden terraces w hot tub + large covered back terrace w/full extra kitchen, hearth and grill and living/dining area. AC in all rooms. Sleeps 7-10, but max 8 adults. We welcome diverse groups of people, as long as you are over 25.
Three covered terraces, each w/seating set (one that seats 16 for large groups); 120m2 indoors + 50m covered terraces, + 300m2 gardens + TANDEM parking for 3 SMALL cars. If you have a bigger car, there are paid parking lots in the area.
ACCESSIBILITY: single-level house with lever door handles, pedestal sinks, accessible step-up showers, hand-shower handles, shower chair, grab bars in bathrooms, tall toilet seat, or added height seats available. Entrances to the house level from front/beach path and the back parking (the terrain is at slight incline) each have several outdoor stairs with handles.
All rooms have outdoor shutters to create a darker environment. We also have swing chairs and secluded quiet areas.
In front of house, there is a public ramp for access from street to the beach.
OFFICE: two desks w monitors for digital nomads, and wifi printer
BEDROOMS: all have new mattresses and all pillows have allergy protective covers. Spaces under beds are about 15-18” and bed height w mattress are about 29”.
LINENS: Bed linens, house and beach towels are all provided.
EQUIPMENT: AC/heating in all rooms, internet access, wifi, washing/drying machines
GOURMET KITCHEN(s): fully equipped two kitchens, w dishwashers, microwaves, coffee machine in both kitchens, plus one each of blender, ice maker, and a gas BBQ grill. Convection ovens perfect for baking. Add to that organic gardens filled with rosemary, sage bushes, mixed with fig, orange and lemon trees – feel free to pick and eat if ripe, or use herbs for your BBQs.
BEACH TOYS: such as beach chairs, sand toys, and balls, as well as masks for snorkeling, are either on the front terrace by jacuzzi or the back terrace living room or by the outdoor shower.
BABY STUFF: portable crib is folded and in the Rustika loft. High chair to add to the regular chair, potty and toys for toddlers, are in the trunk in the back terrace. Various games for various ages are in the hallway.
ART: In addition to the perfect beach location, and the luscious garden terraces, Villa Lavanda is filled with art. The owner, whose ancestors are from this village, is an art history professor who collected and displayed pieces of art, making this both a charming and sophisticated house. Art pieces are either replicas of historically important art, or originals from local artists (hung high on the wall, so you don’t need to worry about your children reaching them).
The Modern bedroom (king-size bed) exhibits modern art pieces. It also has a sea view. The other bedrooms have views toward the gardens. The Classic bedroom also has a king-size bed and has classic art pieces, including some replicas of greek and roman art. The third bedroom is the children's room with a bunkbed (adult size) - queen on the bottom, single on top. The Rustic bedroom has a king-size bed and in addition has one single bed in the loft. There is also a chair-mattress in a loft. The living room also has a sleep sofa, if needed.
IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES – wine tastings at local vineyards, or bringing a reputable local chef who will spend an afternoon/evening at Villa Lavanda and teach you how to prepare a local Dalmatian meal (seafood, vegetarian, you pick!) You can participate or just watch. Meals can range from a traditional Dalmatian “peka” to “buzara.” These meals will be prepared with fresh food coming from a local organic farm.
Here is a video about our house, though we have updated the house since then.: clip and paste into your browser: https://www.facebook.com/726065340824184/videos/331426941376132
GETTING THERE: Cultural Cross-Roads
Gradac is the most southern beach village on the Makarska Riviera. It is placed at the crossroads from the Roman Split and the Renaissance Dubrovnik, to UNESCO-protected Muslim village. The region has many cultural and religious sites including the Catholic churches and the Pilgrimage Medjugorje, Sephardic synagogues, Orthodox churches, and mosques. Gradac is also very close to a few recognized wine appellations. - organic one Komarna, near the Peljesac bridge and many on Peljesac penninsula.
Gradac is centrally located between the Split and Dubrovnik airports, so you can fly to either one. Split Airport is time-wise closer. Depending on how you plan to spend your vacation, having a car is not a necessity at our house as there are stores and restaurants nearby. If you don’t plan on renting a car and need an airport transportation to and from, or occasional additional rides, we can organize that. Just let us know.
It is a faster trip from Split, as the A1 highway from Split goes all the way to Ploce, so you only have a few kilometers on a two-way road to Gradac, making it an 1.5 hour drive. The drive to Dubrovnik airport is an hour longer as it is only a two-way road. Getting to Gradac is not an issue, but getting back to the Dubrovnik airport to your return flight might be, so we recommend people stay south of Dubrovnik (Cavtat) for the last night before their trip back home.
GRADAC
Take a stroll on the beach and enjoy snorkeling, diving, peddle boat and surf rentals, etc. You can rent bikes in the nearby hotel. The local bakery is a few meters away, a convenience store about 100 m away, and both the pharmacy and a medical office are in town (which you hopefully will not need on your vacation).
During the summer, there is a waterpark perfect for children and adventurous adults.
There are plenty of small restaurants and cafés in town. So, if you chose to, you can stay on the beach and relax for days, and just walk everywhere.
HIDDEN NEARBY GEMS
In addition to the beautiful Adriatic sea and all watersport activities, there are many points of interest in this area, which is a genuine cultural cross-road. From Split to Dubrovnik (both of which have very old Sephardic synagogues; the one in Dubrovnik being the oldest one still in use in Europe) to Mostar and Počitelj with their Otoman Empire architecture - you will be mesmerized with the beauty of the geography, architecture and music and the notion of inclusivity regardless of the recent wars.
Add to that a few hidden adventures like a photo safari in the Neretva valley or kite surfing on the delta sand beaches, you will wish time has stopped.
We encourage you take advantage of being close to many sites that are not as frequently visited, and all are within a short distance of Gradac. Upon your booking we will send you a list with links to many sites, including these:
Komarna Appellation Wineries – organic appellation with tastings - Rizman, Terra Madre
Kite surfing on Neretva delta
Metkovic -- Narona, old Roman city, in situ archeological museum
Bacina Lakes
Pocitelj and Mostar, one day trip to Herzegovina
Day-trips by boat to the islands of Korcula and Hvar
Zaostrog - old Franciscan monastery with an ethno museum
Makarska - from Shell museum to the Skywalk
