I first went to Hvar in Croatia two years in the past. On that journey there have been 5 of us and we stayed in a hostel, which was nice. However final summer season we have been fortunate sufficient to remain within the Amfora, the island’s most luxurious lodge, which made for a completely completely different expertise.
I really like Croatia. After my first go to I knew that I needed to return as quickly as I might. The whole lot concerning the place is extraordinary.
Fruits of his labour: Jamie soaks up the solar on Hvar’s tranquil waterfront
The expertise begins instantly – after flying to the town of Cut up, you’re taking a 90-minute catamaran journey to Hvar. It is an incredible trip and prices a mere £6. In summer season, there is a huge demand for tickets as a result of the catamaran completes the journey a lot sooner than a standard ferry.
While you get to Hvar, and the catamaran pulls into the harbour, you may discover the place is already buzzing. Hvar is a comparatively small island nevertheless it’s actually cool – it is Croatia’s reply to Monaco.
It was much more of a thrill to be staying on the Amfora this time round. The lodge is tucked away in a tranquil bay, surrounded by a lush pine grove, and solely a ten-minute stroll from the historic metropolis centre of Hvar.
For my cash, Amfora is essentially the most thrilling seashore resort within the Adriatic. It has elegant, fashionable rooms and wonderful views of the close by Paklinski Islands. Services embody a spectacular cascading pool and an expensive seashore membership with personal cabanas.
On this go to it was apparent how the resort had turn out to be way more standard. It was additionally clear that it is attracting a extra upmarket clientele. I do not assume that Hvar will ever turn out to be a ‘Brits-abroad’ paradise as a result of there are different resorts on the Croatian coast which can be a lot simpler to succeed in. However regardless of this, costs on Hvar are fairly cheap.
I visited final summer season after the top of our profitable British Lions tour of Australia so I used to be feeling fairly drained and in want of a glass or two of one thing refreshing. On the Lions tour, there was solely a restricted quantity of down-time. Between the second and third exams, the gamers went to Noosa in Queensland for 3 or 4 days.
In a league of its personal: A hilltop view of the fashionable island resort of Hvar
Noosa is an impressive place – utterly chilled. Most of the gamers tried their hand at browsing and acquired to calm down on a seashore. It was nice to flee the depth of the rugby for a bit.
So Hvar was my first probability after the tour to occasion and relieve all of the stress. The break was all about switching off, forgetting about weight loss plan and coaching, and utterly letting myself go.
I used to be decided to take advantage of Hvar’s wonderful bars, and the Hula Hula seashore membership is the place to go for at sundown. Being right here for a sundowner or two ought to be on all people’s listing of issues to do.
The opposite factor it’s important to do in Hvar is lease a ship and get out on the water. We rented a small vessel and explored among the different little islands dotted round Hvar.
With your individual boat you’ll be able to simply drop anchor and discover a abandoned cove or seashore. It is a good approach to spend the day.
Being in control of my very own boat was additionally an opportunity to dwell out a little bit of a James Bond fantasy.
On the finish of the keep I used to be utterly relaxed, which was simply as nicely as a result of instantly after the vacation I moved from Wales to Paris, the place I am now taking part in membership rugby for prime French aspect Racing Metro. I’ve an exquisite flat subsequent to the Musée d’Orsay and a scooter to drive across the metropolis.
Right this moment I will be taking part in for Wales towards England in a significant Six Nations match at Twickenham – I might do with one other break on Hvar after that!
Getting there
Balkan Holidays (balkanholidays.co.uk, 0845 130 1114) affords seven nights’ B&B on the four-star Lodge Amfora in Hvar from £567pp, together with return flights from Gatwick to Cut up on April 21 and transfers.
