Centurion Middle East Autumn 2023

|Places| the hillside

|Places| the hillside opposite the main town, with panoramic views to match. Grand Park is more than its elevated perspective, not least its signature restaurant, Cap Aureo, where Maltese chef Jeffrey Vella produces an array of artistically presented dishes – mostly, but not exclusively, made from locally sourced vegetables The well-equipped spa also has a local twist, with a popular treatment known as “batana bodywork”, a signature massage (warning: the batana is the name of the local fishing boat and an oar is used – it’s invigorating). In the same complex, Hotel Monte Mulini is an adults-only property. Across the harbour, Hotel Adriatic was constructed on the seafront, reputedly with parts of the historic defensive wall incorporated into the structure. Inside, it is a tribute to modern Croatian art, with works by local painters and sculptors adorning every wall and space. With hotels in Zagreb and Dubrovnik, Maistra has spread its wings, but Rovinj, with its narrow streets and winding path up to the glorious Church of St Euphemia, is truly its spiritual home – and a Croatian gem that remains relatively undiscovered. Hotel Ikador, set along the picturesque Opatija Riviera Out of Town There is plenty to explore around Opatija and Rovinj – on both land and sea OPATIJA Sail the Coast Exploring the islands, dolphin watching or simply trying to spot the exclusive villas in the tree-covered hillsides, there are plenty of opportunities to glimpse the Opatija Riviera from the comfort of a yacht. Ikador Hotel Boating is an option at this charming boutique hotel in the small fishing village of Ika, 4.5 kilometres from Opatija, thanks to its own Riva Aquariva Super. Alternatively, just enjoy the view from the Riva Lounge pool bar, or the other amenities of this elegant 16-key property. ikador.com Konoba Zijavica Glorious seafood isn’t hard to find in Croatia, but go that extra mile – in this case to the quaint village of Mošcenicka ´ ˇ Draga – and great rewards can be found. Here, chef Stiven Vunic ´ conjures inventive versions of Croatian specialities, served as close to the sea as you can get. konoba-zijavica.com ROVINJ Prodan Tartufi The acclaimed Istrian truffle is much in demand, so why not find it at the source? The Prodan family offer a truffle-hunting guide on their private grounds 60 kilometres northeast of Rovinj, plus a chance to sample the precious spore in rustic-chic surrounds. prodantartufi.hr PHOTO © HOTEL IKADOR 24 CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM

PROMOTION ULTIMATE GETAWAYS VELAA PRIVATE ISLAND MALDIVES Ultimate Island Escape BORN FROM a love for the Maldives, Velaa Private Island is the passion project of a couple, Radka and Jirí Šmejc, to create the world’s most luxurious private island resort and personal home. Located in Noonu Atoll, a 45-minute seaplane flight from Malé, Velaa is a destination in a category of its own, home to an array of amenities unseen across the Indian Ocean. Velaa means “turtle” in Dhivehi, the local Maldivian language. The name is inspired by the generations of sea turtles that inhabit the island and its beautiful coral reef for countless years. Conceptualised by renowned Czech architect, Petr Kolár, the design weaves contemporary luxury with intimate Maldivian nuances. Throughout the resort, a subtle design reference to the turtle is always present. The colours and patterns of a turtle shell make up subtle nuances in the design, while from a broader aerial view, Velaa’s exclusive over-water villas resemble the head of a turtle with the island and jetties resembling the body and flippers. NOONU ATOLL, P.O. BOX 2071, REPUBLIC OF MALDIVES T: +960 656 5000 | VELAAPRIVATEISLAND.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO MAKE A BOOKING, PLEASE CONTACT YOUR CENTURION TRAVEL SERVICE