Olive Bay

Perched on the Croatian coastline, this villa was designed to make the most of the Mediterranean sunshine and sweeping scenery. We're blown away by the views – they stretch from the garden's olive trees down to the sparkling Dumbocca Bay, and day or night, you'll want to sit out on the terrace and admire the vistas. It's easy to fall into a carefree lifestyle here – imagine endless days splashing in the infinity pool, afternoon strolls down to the cove and evenings spent sipping wine as the sun goes down over the water. You can dine in the ocean breeze underneath the covered terrace or fire up the built-in barbecue, or the hosts can arrange for a private chef if you don't feel like cooking. Carefully refurbished by the owners to restore the original architecture, the interior of this home marries modern living with rustic character. Stone walls and wooden ceilings add warmth, but upgrades like the Sonos audio system, marbled bathrooms and sleek farmhouse-style kitchen keep things contemporary. When you're not happily lounging by the pool, make the five-minute drive to Novi Vinodolski for restaurants, shops and lively beaches.

Home truths:
*Air conditioning is only available on the first and second floors
*There’s no washing machine, but your hosts can arrange for a laundry service
*Please note there is no oven in the kitchen, but there is a stove and a barbecue grill outside
*We think most guests will prefer to have a car here, and there is parking available on-site
*A cot can be provided for little ones
*There's also an outdoor toilet and shower by the pool