Tranquil retreat close to the Mediterranean

If you love the Mediterranean but want to avoid the crowded tourist centers on the Croatian coast, this new light-flooded apartment is your quiet retreat after a fulfilling day of vacation. It is part of the "Hotel Village Balatura" and is also looked after by the hotel crew (speaks German, English, Croatian). The hotel village is located in the beautiful Vinodol Valley, surrounded by the Dinaric Coastal Mountains, the "Vinodol Cliffs". The Adriatic Sea with its popular beaches in the Kvarner Bay is 6 km away, just a few minutes by car or bicycle. It is only a few steps to the enchanted pool, which is hidden behind a stone wall. With a total of 67 m2 and one bedroom, it is ideal for couples, but with the pull-out sofa bed in the living room, it can also accommodate up to four people for short periods of time. For additional guests, adjoining rooms (with private bathrooms) can be booked on request.

Paradise for vegetarians

The center of "Mali Susik", the little Susik, is the Ethno Hotel Balatura, located in a more than 300 years old Croatian farm. In the immediate vicinity are several old stone houses, which - just like your holiday apartment - have been restored according to historical models and lovingly furnished as guest rooms. The hotel is known for its excellent vegetarian and vegan cuisine, which has been praised by many holidaymakers for years. In 2019, the British newspaper "The Guardian" ranked the Balatura among the top 20 vegan and vegetarian hotels in Europe. As a holiday guest, you can have breakfast here (15 €) or in the evening enjoy the outstanding vegetarian menu (vegan on request), which experience has shown that even non-vegetarians learn to love.

Fully equipped luxury apartment

Of course, you can also cook in the small, comfortably equipped kitchen. In addition to a fridge, microwave, stove and oven, there is a dishwasher and, important for long-term holidaymakers, a washing machine. The apartment has all the amenities for a longer stay: air conditioning for hot or cold days, a closet with enough space for a larger wardrobe, a second toilet in the bedroom, a spacious bathroom with a rain shower and a stone tub that is over 100 years old, in which Croatian nobles are said to have bathed. Of course, the fireplace should not be missing in the living room or a large, sheltered terrace (also for smokers) from which you can watch the sunset. If necessary, you can use the small working place as a home office. The fiber optic connection guarantees a fast connection to the whole world.

Beach holiday on the Croatian Riviera

The 26 official beaches of the Crikvenica Riviera are among the most beautiful beaches in the Kvarner Bay. There are also numerous other small bays that can be reached within 20 minutes by car. The popular sandy beach Gradsko Kupalište, which was awarded the "Blue Flag" for its quality, is only an 11-minute drive away.

Hiking and walking

Explore the Vinodol Valley and the Coast Mountains on foot using marked hiking trails: • The Waves Trail starts in Povile and ends in Jadranovo. It has a total length of 30 km and passes right next to the sea. • The cliff path has a total length of 29 km and leads through the steep rocky cliffs above the Vinodol valley. • The 15 km long Roman trail starts in Crikvenica at the sports hall and follows the Dubraćina stream to the source behind Drivenik. • Or follow the Love Trail at Crikvenica, an 8km circular route that is a popular hiking trail, especially among couples, for a number of romantic spots and fabulous views.

Cycling with mountain bikes and e-bikes

In the area of Crikvenica and Vinodol there are about 300 km of cycling routes. The bikemap portal lists more than 400 bike tours that pass near the holiday apartment. Mountain bikes (20€/day) or e-bikes (35€/day) can be rented at the hotel reception. A newly developed cycle path leads from Tribalj to the city center and the beaches of Crikvenica.

Fishing at Tribalj Lake

Tribaljsko jezero, a 41-hectare artificial lake about 4 m deep, is almost on the doorstep, only one kilometer away. The waters are fished relatively little and rated as a top fishing area by anglers. Carp are caught cash & release, so the fish are not intended for consumption, but must be released again. Fishing is only allowed with a guest card, which can be obtained from the responsible fishing club Šaran (Kokanj 1, 51243 Tribalj). Contact details: 00385 51 798 392 or 00385 95 816 6067, info@saran-tribalj.hr, http://www.saran-tribalj.hr

Paragliding and hang gliding

Tribalj is one of the hotspots for paragliding and hang gliding in Croatia and has the most flights throughout the year. Due to the light sea breeze and constant thermals on the ridge, Tribalj has the best conditions for paragliding all year round. In the middle of the day the thermals are dynamic, beginners who prefer to fly more calmly can start in the afternoon. To use the starting point you need permission from Parajedrilicarski klub Flumen (http://www.pjkflumen.org, +385(0)958143976, info@pjkflumen.org). Flying without confirmation is not allowed, liability insurance is mandatory. The starting point for paragliders is about 12 km, the landing site 2 km from the apartment. Paragliders meet at Caffe Bar Nedjeljko in Tribalj village. For active vacationers who want to get to know the Vinodol Valley from a bird's eye view, tandem paragliding is offered (from around €120), an experienced pilot will take you up into the air as a piece of luggage. Contact: www.paragliding-croatia.com, phone: +385 95 906 2973, ivana.kusanovic@paragliding-croatia.com

Shopping

There is a small grocery store in Tribalj. In the nearby town of Crikvenica larger shops and supermarkets.

Arrival by plane

The nearest airport is Rijeka Airport, 19 km away. The taxi ride to the apartment takes about 25 minutes and costs about 40 euros. A rental car can be rented directly at the airport, from around €160/week.