Culture, Art & History Package Island of Hvar presents unique combination of rich cultural and historic heritage, Mediterranean nature and modern tourist facilities. The rich history and culture of the town of Hvar is visible at every step. If you are interested in history and culture, or you would like to learn something new about the past of the town of Hvar, our CULTURE, ART & HISTORY package is for you. Apart from enjoying accommodation in villa Heraclea, its spa facilities, wine cellar and house wine Meneghetti, you will have a chance to visit the most important cultural and historic attractions, engage with the past and experience how people used to live on this beautiful island five and more centuries ago.
Package General Info + What our package includes Day 1. Arrival on the Island of Hvar, Introducing the Villa, Town of Hvar Gazing Day 2. A personal Hvar island odyssey with Prof. Marinko Petric Day 3. The lavender fields walk Day 4. Free Day Day 5. Departure day The Price of the Package Period: 27.09. - 01.11.2014. & 04.04. 02.05.2015. & 03.10. - 31.10.2015. Minimum: 2 people Price per person per package: 900 EURO Including: 4 nights in Villa Heraclea Use of spa facilities: Jacuzzi, swimming pool, sauna, massage room House manager Ana, at your service entire time of your stay A personal Hvar island odyssey with Prof. Marinko Petric Lavender fields forever walk * Should you wish to stay longer, additional charge of Euro 100 per day per person will be applied * Should you have any additional or different inquiries, we will be happy to incorporate it to this program
DAY 2 A personal Hvar Island Odyssey with prof. Marinko Petric A personal Hvar island odyssey with Prof. Marinko Petric A memorable day experiencing the Town of Hvar, hidden inland villages, Stari Grad, Jelsa and Vrboska with Hvar's celebrated art historian and author. After experiencing history, a picnic and wine tasting will be organized for you to enjoy. Join Marinko Petric, art historian, professor and a living encyclopaedia of Hvar's history. Author of ''Hvar Tourism Memory book'' and numerous scientific articles related to Hvar's history. Marinko will guide you on a private journey into the past with facts, legends and secrets not found in any travel guide or magazine. This memorable full day experience will not only expand your knowledge and deepen your appreciation of the island's rich heritage and culture, but also add a wonderful new dimension to your Hvar vacation. Exploring the millennium The first part of tour is dedicated to beloved Hvar's archaeologist and academic Prof. Dr. Grga Novak. Knighted by the Queen Elizabeth I, Prof. Dr. Novak was awarded with many important medals from France and Italy. In addition to his honorary doctorates from many European Universities, he was a member of the Royal Archaeological Society of London, a member of the famed Roman Academia dei Lincei and a member of the Austrian Academy. Prof. Dr. Novak is most remembered as the single individual that discovered all of the fabulous treasures you will see on this memorable tour. The wonderful thing about city of Hvar is how much of its marvellous ensemble of Renaissance architecture is still so splendidly intact. The Renaissance stylistically marked the beginning of Hvar's cultural blossoming, a flourishing period of development that lasted for more than 400 years, all the way to the18th century. Today, this legacy of stone, sculpture, and paintings is offered to the world to enjoy, it gives a unique insight into the historical events and the way of life from the period when Venice ruled this part of the world! Our private walk will include visit to the oldest known public theatre in Europe as well as other exquisite Venetian, Napoleonic, and Austro-Hungarian monuments. We will also visit sites that tell heroic tales of military encounters with the Turks, Russians and English. Did you know that the inventor of modern fingerprinting was from town of Hvar? Together we will discover who Ivan Vucetic was and how his invention changed the face of crime forever. Hidden inland villages, Stari Grad, Jelsa and Vrboska Our island odyssey also includes discovering hidden inland villages that used to be busy fishing centres. We will also see Stari Grad, the oldest city in Croatia, founded in 384 B.C. by the Greeks who began their agrarian reform here. A UNESCO World Heritage site, the Ager fertile plain located on the east part of Stari Grad is the site of oldest known agricultural land division on the planet. Its original cadastral plots have been preserved for almost 2,000 years. The towns most admired and famous resident was Petar Hektorovic. You will have an opportunity to visit his tvrdalj «manor house». Hektorovic, a Renaissance writer and poet, is best remembered for his book Fishing and Fisherman's Talk. It is the treasure of maritime and zoological terminology that is even now, more than 400 years after it was written, a part of the everyday Croatian language of men and women who make their living from the sea. We will also visit Stari Grad's Dominican Monastery (1482). After visiting Monastery we will be heading off to the charming seaside village of Jelsa for a visit to the konoba (term for small local restaurant) owned by one of Croatias's leading boutique wine makers, Ivo Dubrokovic. We will learn about his wines and enjoy their tastes, especially his award-winning vintages. We will conclude this tour with well deserved and a delicious lunch with island wine at one of the best seaside restaurants or, if you prefer, we can have wonderful lunch in a rustic konoba situated right in the middle of an olive grove. It is up to you to decide.
Departure time: It is recommended that tour starts between 9-12 AM, but it is up on you to let us know the time that suite you best. We will pick you up in Villa. End location: We will end this tour wherever is best for you. Duration: This is a full day program. What's included? The program as described, pick up, guide/driver, car transfer, museum tickets, lunch with wine. Tour type: Covers Hvar s History, Culture and gastronomy. For individuals, couples and families. Transportation: Comfortable air-conditioned 8 seat van or Toyota Landcuiser or Mitsubishi Pajero. Both 4WD vehicles.
DAY 3 Hvar the island of lavender The Lavender fields walk Hvar has been known as ''the island of lavender'' for centuries. This fragrant herb with its extraordinary medicinal substances grows in lush fields in some of the island's most picturesque places. Fifty years ago Hvar accounted for 8% of the world s total lavender oil production. It s a story of perennial battles between locals deciding rock by rock who would tame the harsh landscape for a small piece of fertile soil to grow lavender. We will take you to the roots of this story to show you how lavender forever-changed life on island of Hvar. After enjoying the walk accompanied by with one of the island s last local lavender growers, we will end our wonderful afternoon in the charming little village of Velo Grablje. We will visit a private house of our host and have a delightful brunch or supper in real home atmosphere. Our Island Lavender Walk not only will help you discover the simplicity of mother nature, but also how the sincerity and hospitality of people for whom lavender is still a passion, makes our island so special. Tour description: We will visit the lavender fields around Velo Grablje, just a 10 minutes drive from Hvar's Old Town. After our 45 minutes of gentle walk, we will be reaching the Velo Grablje lavender distillery and take a tour to see how lavender is made into aromatics. We will then stroll to the central part of the village visiting the St.Kuzma and Damian Church where you will be able to enjoy local traditional a cappella singing. After that we will taste dishes prepared with local ingredients and old authentic recipes served on the central square of the Velo Grablje. Should the weather be bad, food will be served in the house of your host. Departure time: We will pick you up at villa at 9AM for morning program or 5PM for afternoon program. This tour can also be arranged at a time that is convenient for you. Duration: This is a half-day program. What's included? Pick up, the program as described, brunch or dinner with wine, refreshments (water, beer, wine, local brandy) Transportation: Air-conditioned van with 8 seats or with Toyota Landrcuiser or Mitsubishi Pajero both 4WD vehicles