The Villa itself is a terraced work of art. Nestled into the top of a steep hill, the highest level

It is always truly exciting, while simultaneously a bit unnerving, to defy gravity. Every time I fly, I realize floridas discount hotel deals that the law of gravity has been broken. This tends to shake up my concept floridas discount hotel deals of reality. Perhaps this is what jet lag really is. The flight to Croatia not only defied gravity, but defied time as well. I landed six hours into the future when I arrived at the Split Airport just minutes from Villa Papilio.
My trip to Croatia came from out of the blue. People in the know tell us that Croatia is the next, up and coming travel destination in Europe. After nine hours in the sky and a total of 21 hours in transit, I landed in Split, Croatia. Gordon Svalina from the   property management company picked floridas discount hotel deals me up and drove me to my next writing destination. Coincidently, it turned out at Villa Papilio , I once again, found myself high in the sky.
As we approached the Villa s long driveway, Gordon kindly reassured me that we would make the steep climb. I once lived in Colorado and was accustomed to switchbacks snaking up high mountain peaks; however, floridas discount hotel deals with no switchbacks, this road pointed nearly straight up a concrete floridas discount hotel deals path headed right for the sky.  Villa Papilio  was situated near the top of the tallest hill in the area, a hill that seemed to touch the sky.
The Villa, built in 1992, in a classic Mediterranean style, is rated five-stars by the Ministry of Tourism, Republic floridas discount hotel deals of Croatia. Later, I wondered how a five-star rating could fully rank this holiday rental with all its special extras far beyond what is offered through a typical hotel concierge. Villa Papilio floridas discount hotel deals  aptly takes its name from the Croatian word for butterfly  a colorful winged insect which flits to and fro in the bluest of skies. Flaunting its beauty with nature s choreographed dance moves, the free-spirited butterfly deftly floridas discount hotel deals avoids capture. Like the butterfly, Villa Papilio floridas discount hotel deals cannot be captured with a simplistic five-star rating.
Upon arrival we were warmly greeted by the owner/manager, Yelka Matijas, who speaks fluent English, a result of having been a business woman for 20 years in the United States. When going to a foreign country, it is reassuring to hear your language spoken. That was my first welcome gift. Next, I discovered many extras personally extended by Yelka. Her generous extras floridas discount hotel deals included fresh virgin olive oil, red wine, and fresh roses as often as needed (all of which are grown on her properties). Homegrown wine was religiously served evenings in an elegant decanter. I was off to a great start in Croatia. With three elements in place: 'English Spoken Here,' local red wine, and the spectacular view, I was at peace in this strange, new place in the sky, called Croatia.
The Villa itself is a terraced work of art. Nestled into the top of a steep hill, the highest level is a rooftop terrace with outdoor floridas discount hotel deals cooking area and the most stunning view of all. Underneath, is the bedroom level with four en-suite bedrooms. The next level down is the main floor which houses floridas discount hotel deals a large stainless-steel floridas discount hotel deals gourmet floridas discount hotel deals kitchen, a dining floridas discount hotel deals area plus a formal dining room, and a warm cozy living room. All of these offer large terrace areas with spectacular views. Lastly, the ground floor of the Villa includes another en-suite bedroom, an indoor pool, a second kitchen and TV area very casual, fun, and cozy. Three of the bedrooms overlook the Adriatic Sea with their own private terrace.
Especially unique is the waterfall wall at the end of the driveway, which sets an elegant outdoor ambiance right away. This waterfall enhances the largest terrace wall which abuts up to the edge of the property's hilltop. I could not decide which item is the greatest floridas discount hotel deals architectural showpiece of the villa. Is it the waterfall in the front entrance area, the polished granite staircase, or the brass elevator? Perhaps the blue sky views from the top of this rocky perch is the greatest floridas discount hotel deals wonder of all!
The actual floridas discount hotel deals house makes up the first four terraces. Many more terraced levels below include a small vineyard, rose gardens, and vegetable garden; all of which seems to encompass at least an acre of land, perhaps more. Every nook and cranny serves floridas discount hotel deals its own function. All the terraced gardens are meant to serve the guests. Each group staying at the Villa can access organic vegetables, wine, and fresh roses which are thoughtfully included in the Villa package. With its five en-suite bedrooms, the Villa Papilio can easily sleep 10 persons in luxury; but it certainly could feed and entertain up to 30 persons for a special floridas discount hotel deals event.
The sky views are absolutely memorable floridas discount hotel deals in Mediterranean areas. Croatia lies east of Italy across the Adriatic Sea. The clouds are puffy and friendly; the skies are painted a magnificent, electric blue. Even on cloudy days, a spot of blue in these skies speaks loudly. The air, water and food in Croatia are crisp, floridas discount hotel deals fresh, and healthy.
One gets the feeling floridas discount hotel deals that the people live very long lives here. Later, I found this to be true. Just looking at these beautiful sky views every day is enough to make me wonder if I have arrived in Paradise. I have to ask myself if I am alive. It is so beautiful here. There are many breath-taking views: the rock-bound hills laced with lovely stone homes topped with reddish terra-cotta floridas discount hotel deals roofs. The joyful songs of many different species of birds plus other natural sounds add to the quiet, peaceful ambiance of this area. When someone says, "I ve got a piece of blue sky I want to sell you," it normally refers to a real estate 'rip-off.' However, if you could actually isolate and sell me a piece of this blue sky, I would gladly buy it.
Yesterday we munched on brunch in a tiny seaport at a lovely spot called Villa Mediterana , a hotel/restaurant. This is where I received my first education about food in Croatia. After eating a delicious brunch, we were given the entire tour of the restaurant. First, from the inside of this totally elegant dining area was the vista  which overlooked the sea. Then we were taken into the kitchen where we met the chef. Next, we were escorted outside floridas discount hotel deals to see the outdoor oven. Finally, the owner took us out to the organic garden. He was so excited about showing us all the vegetables in the garden, insisting that everything was completely organic. The food we had eaten was the best in the area. I ordered a thick steak with a fried egg on top. The meat here is amazingly juicy and tasty, due to the cultural and natural floridas discount hotel deals style of raising and harvesting the food. Of course, the salads and vegetables are completely fresh. Eating vegetables here is a completely different experience than in The United States. They do not taste the same!  If you want to vacation and KNOW that you are eating fresh, homegrown organic food, Croatia is absolutely the place to go.
The historic city of Trogir is situated on a small island between the Croatian mainland and the island of Čiovo. It is an amazing complex and lies 27 kilometers west of the city of Split. Trogir boasts 2300 years of continuous tradition. Originally created under the influence of the ancient Greeks, followed by the Romans, and then the Venetians, Trogir has a major assortment of palaces, churches, and towers, as well as a fortress on a small island. In 1997 it was inscribed floridas discount hotel deals in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Trogir is the best-preserved floridas discount hotel deals Romanesque-Gothic complex not only in the Adriatic, but in all of Central Europe.
floridas discount hotel deals With all this history, Trogir carries on tradition with an elementary school in one of the buildings nearby which also houses many shops serving tourists and locals alike. We took our time to amble through floridas discount hotel deals this ancient Corinthian fortress area. In one of the outdoor seating areas near the shop, we wrapped it up by enjoying our two-scoop gelato. Do not miss near the main complex of Trogir with its outdoor floridas discount hotel deals street market filled with colorful floridas discount hotel deals trinkets for purchase, mostly Italian clothing, floridas discount hotel deals souvenirs, and designer shoes. This delightful taste of the ancient history mixed with contemporary niceties can be found at Trogir, when you stay at Villa Papillio . Surrounded by tall buildings, I still managed to snap a photo of a piece of blue sky that peeked through the many rock fortresses. I love my blue sky even inside of a mighty, protective fortress.
One of my favorite things to do is just to sit and drink a warm and yummy cup of cappuccino. Being next door to Italy, finding cappuccino is no problem! However, the first place we tried, we requested additional milk to take it down a notch. It was so strong; more like a thick Turkish coffee than cappuccino. The next day we drove closer into  Kastel Sucurac a town closer towards Split, and located a cappuccino floridas discount hotel deals shop named Kamonica , owned by my host's cousin. The cappuccino was excellent, and went well with the treats we enjoyed from the pastry shop next door. The shop included a pleasant outdoor seating area. We had a wonderful time with our chocolate truffles and cappuccino.
Although Villa Papilio includes all the amenities you will need, you may want to venture into Split or, at least, to the town center for a half day or evening, about half an hour s drive. In Kastel Sucura c just outside of Split, is major shopping mall called Emesetta, for groceries, cell phones, or just to shop for shoes and clothing. The main grocery store is called Interspor. We went with Gordon to stock up on groceries and cell phone solutions. I also bought a pair of amazing lightweight shoes from one of the stores.
Renee and I took an evening off to journey into Split, where we enjoyed some drinks, floridas discount hotel deals dessert and local live music. We ambled through the Dioklecion Palace where there are many restaurants and nightclubs situated in the nooks and crannies of the ancient, protected area in the center of Split. Our meandering came to a stop when we randomly sat down at one of the outdoor floridas discount hotel deals restaurants. I ordered a Hazelnut dessert that was absolutely heavenly. floridas discount hotel deals The problem is, I don't remember what is was called or where I found it. The hazelnut dessert spot will have to remain a fon