Villa Antiqua

Villa Details

OVERVIEW

Luxury villa Antiqua originates from the 17th century, when it used to be a summer residence of an old Dubrovnik noble family whose custom was to leave the hot and busy town in the summer, and decamp to their summer home by the sea, where they could relax and cool themselves in the clear waters of the Adriatic. The villa has been owned by a bishop, a philosopher and a scientist and a series of old and recognised aristocrates, who originated from the 12th century. It is located about six kilometres north of old Dubrovnik on the estuary of a small river and the Adriatic. The present owners have translated their love for the old villa into repair and revival of its original condition, and adding interior facilities, such as bathrooms, air conditioning, swimming pool and a gourmet kitchen. The villa has sea views, wonderful proportions and charm, but rather than being over opulent, it is understated, sunny, welcoming and very comfortable. On your arrival, you will enjoy a welcome pack of the traditional home made local cake, jam and excellent wine.

Accommodation

The villa is built on three floors from the local stone, worked by expert masons. It is surrounded by terraces and courtyards, and lovely stone carvings of the Renaissance period.

Ground floor

A sitting room with a baby grand piano opens out onto the front terrace. The kitchen/diner is open plan, tiled with sand coloured floor tiles with soft rugs, and pale green walls. An open fireplace is a feature. The kitchen also has a breakfast bar and is fitted with fridge/freezer, dishwasher, cooker, microwave oven, coffee machine and also a washing machine, iron and hair dryers are available. All cooking utensils, plates, glassware and cutlery are provided and are of good quality. The pale wood dining table and chairs will seat 10-12 people. This area is furnished with old display cabinets and chests whilst pleasant works of art decorate the walls. The sitting room is tiled with cool pale blue floor tiles. Old period armchairs, and coffee tables and atmospheric lighting, as well as a baby grand piano make the room elegant and comfortable. Here you will find a satellite TV/DVD player and the internet. On the ground floor there is also a spacious double bedroom with ensuite shower room.

First/Second floor

A stone staircase leads upstairs and opens into an impressive reception room with double height ceiling and huge windows looking out over the estuary. A double half glass door opens out to the rear of the building where the higher ground level allows direct access to the garden and pool area. In this room there is a snooker table, comfortable sofas, a TV and bookshelves.

Also on the first floor are two double bedrooms, one of which has a connected room with two single accessory beds. The double bedroom with the connected room share a shower room and the other double bedroom has an ensuite shower room. From the connected room, there is a staircase to a second floor double bedroom with ensuite bathroom. Through a door off the reception room, a separate staircase leads to another second level double bedroom also with ensuite shower room.

In total, there are 5 bedrooms (6 if you count the connected room) in the main part of the house.

Separate wing

A separate wing to the house contains a further three double bedrooms all with ensuite shower rooms. These rooms are entered through separate external entrances to the side and rear of the house. All the bedrooms are comfortably furnished and four of them have lovely sea views. Bed linen and bath towels are included.

All eight bedrooms have individual aircon units. The ground floor living room and kitchen are not air-conditioned but are naturally cool being shaded from the sun and having thick stone walls. Two child cots can be provided free of charge.

Outside

The villa has a beautifully landscaped garden full of Mediterranean herbs, bushes and flowers and secret staircases. Flowerpots of geraniums and green leafy hostas are dotted around the garden terraces, there are bougainvilleas, wisterias, roses and lemon and trees, and many scented herbs.

There is an excellent heated swimming pool and a whirlpool jacuzzi bath behind the villa in the private part of the garden. Good quality sunbeds, umbrellas and pool towels are provided. A purpose built bar adjoins the pool so there is no need to return to the house to take a refreshing drink. This large luxury villa has several different terraces, offering cool shade or a quiet corner with a Venetian wall fountain trickling calmingly among the plants and wrought iron chairs. The front terrace with sea view is typical for Dubrovnik patrician architecture, and has elegant pillars supporting a pitched roof. It is known as a "gloriet". This large terrace which looks directly out over the water is perfect for birthday celebrations, weddings and various larger gatherings. The outdoor dining area has a large table for dining al fresco, and a fully equipped summer kitchen. A table tennis table is available. The villa has a summer kitchen, which is a covered stone outbuilding fully equipped for cooking, barbecuing and dining.

Swimming and boat mooring in front of the house.

Immediately across the road, just a few metres from the villa's front entrance, is another sunbathing area for Villa Antiqua where sunbeds are reserved for villa guests and a dock ladder provides access for swimming in the Dobravacka river. Here, it is also possible to moor a boat. There are many other local beaches to choose from. Two lovely pebbly and clean beaches are 2km away, Beach Lozica and Vrbica.

Additional Information

• Parking is in the grounds of the villa
• Boats, bicycles can be rented
• Breakfast at extra cost
• Dinner at extra cost
• Windsurfing

About the area

Dubrovacka River Travel Guide

Getting there

Flight and Travel information