Lokrum – the green oasis of Dubrovnik

It is an island of legends, love and lush green vegetation. Located just a stone’s throw from the historic city walls of Dubrovnik the island of Lokrum has always had a strong position in the rise of the city. With hidden coves, covered walkways and untouched nature the island is THE place to escape the hustle and bustle of Dubrovnik through the summer months, go where the locals go.

Lokrum – an island waiting to be explored

The earliest mention of Lokrum stretches back to 1023 when Benedictine monks became owners of the island; you can still see their influence today with the monastery in the centre of the island. In fact most of the manicured gardens you see on the island also come from the monks, they were certainly busy! Over the years the island has changed hands a fair few times, it has been a turbulent history. There is even a legend that King Richard the Lionheart landed on the island after being shipwrecked nearby.

Modern day Lokrum is an oasis of tranquillity, a green island in a sea of turquoise. Just a short ten-minute ferry ride from the Old City of Dubrovnik and you are a world away, a haven of peace. Our advice is to get a morning ferry and spend a whole day on the island; there are plenty of cafes and restaurants so you’ll be spoilt for choice.

Here are a few tips to make your Lokrum day go with a bang. If you are a family then one of the best places for children to swim is the so called “Dead Sea” which is a shallow lake-like area on the east of the island. If you fancy exploring a little then take a circular walk, start at the “Portoc” where the ferry lands and head west. A sunning pathway takes you through Mediterranean nature and fauna, the views back to the Old City are panoramic and unique. Just keep following the path, you can’t really get lost as after all you are on an island, and after 40 minutes you will get to the northern side where many beaches and attractions are located. And when on Lokrum you just have to dive into the crystal clear Adriatic. Search for a cove of your own, find the shade of a pine tree, roll out a towel, open a good book and unwind in the sunshine.

The peacocks are always happy to pose for photos

Time for lunch, wander off to the monastery where you’ll find a good restaurant or over to the playing fields and another great restaurant, and take a few photos of the peacocks along the way. The peacocks were introduced a few years ago and are protected on Lokrum, they are always happy to pose for photos. They aren’t the only protected species; the whole of the island was proclaimed a Special Forest Vegetation Reserve in 1976.

Lokrum is truly a summer joy, a sanctuary for a romantic day, a heaven for families and an island waiting to be explored.

Dance to the rhythm of Dubrovnik

With the cry into the night air, the first tunes from the Lijerica, the twist and twirl of the colourful dancers, this is Lindjo.

One of the absolute points on your “must do” list whilst in Dubrovnik is to attend a performance by the folklore ensemble Lindjo. With over fifty years of tradition the Lindjo ensemble is one of the columns of culture on which Dubrovnik is founded.

An explosion of song and dance and the Lindjo begins. The energy is overflowing, the passion incredible and the moves enthralling. The Lijerica plucks away its monotonous tone, the dance leader cries instructions to the circle of dancers, the harmony is outstanding.

Formed in 1965 the Lindjo dance ensemble performs traditional songs and dances from the Dubrovnik region. It is like watching history come to life. Dances passed down from generations, costumes created over hundreds of years and lyrics aimed to shock and amuse. History and traditions respected in a single dance.

The audience around me fall into silence, a silent awe, as the young dancers perform…”they are really unbelievable and so nice to see so many young people dancing,” I hear the English couple next to me.

Dance to the rhythm of Dubrovnik

Through the summer months the Lindjo dancers are kept very busy. Apart from performing in the Dubrovnik Summer Festival they also dance three times a week in the Lazaretto complex. They also take this little piece of Dubrovnik on tour all over the world, great ambassadors for the city. They are accompanied by the traditional instrument, the Lijerica, a pear-shaped, three-stringed instrument which is played with a bow. It might look easy to get a tune from, but believe me it isn’t, far from it.

“And I can, thank God, raise my leg high in the air,” echoes out in the Dubrovnik evening sky, the dance leader has a firm grip on his troupe, his booming lyrics continue unabated.

In times when the authenticity of many world destinations is under question the Lindjo performers are without doubt as authentic as the City Walls themselves. To understand the society, the culture and the very spirit of Dubrovnik, the city that you have chosen to holiday in an evening with the Lindjo Folklore Ensemble is an evening that will create memories for a lifetime. This is the soul, the heartbeat of the city in a dance.

The crescendo of applause as the whole ensemble takes a bow is deafening, cries of “bravo” ring around, once again Lindjo has found a new group of fans.

Make 2016 your year – write your Dubrovnik story

The new year is here, seems to come around at the same time every year. Dubrovnik is calm and peaceful at this time of the year. The harsh winter that has embraced most of the rest of Europe has avoided, once again, Dubrovnik. Winter time in Dubrovnik, if you can call this mild weather winter, is a time for reflection, a time for new beginnings. With the start of the new year comes optimism, we have 360 empty pages of our life in front of us. Fill them; fill every minute of every day. Travel as much as possible, make memories, meet new people and dive into new experiences.

So what can we expect from a fresh summer in Dubrovnik this year? Already the international media is falling over itself to heap praise on Dubrovnik. Reports in publications, such as the New York Times and Condé Nast Traveller, have positioned Dubrovnik on their lists of places to visit in 2016. With all this publicity the region is certainly to be near the top on the lists of many world travellers this year. We can expect another great summer.

There will be events, concerts, drama and ballet…and that is just in the Dubrovnik Summer Festival. The number of festivals in Dubrovnik, a city of culture, is growing year on year and we will welcome back many “old friends” this year. Why not jump on a flight and spend a weekend in Dubrovnik whilst a festival is on…you won’t regret it. And with more flights from more destinations expected to land at Dubrovnik Airport this year the opportunities are endless. Fly in on a Friday afternoon, spend a weekend in the Mediterranean sunshine and catch a concert, then return on Monday ready for another working week. Fill some of those empty pages.

Weekend in the sunshine

We will also be welcoming back our friends from HBO and the whole crew of the globally popular Game of Thrones series. Dubrovnik, which acts as King’s Landing in the serial, is forever bound to the Game of Thrones. And apart from bringing us yet more exposure it has also acted as a fuse paper for many other international production companies. Already, at the beginning of 2016, another film crew will shoot a Greek epic movie, “Alexandra,” in the city’s historic cobbled streets. You can be sure that others will follow.

Make 2016 the year that you fill the pages of your life with a trip to Dubrovnik. If you have already been then you are probably waiting to come back, if you’ve never been then…what are you waiting for.

Aerial view of Dubrovnik

Who We Are?

Pervanovo is Swedish investment company operating in Dubrovnik region. It was founded in 2004 and is owned by the leading Swedish investment company Välinge Invest AB, owned by the Perván family. Välinge Invest is also a major shareholder of Välinge Innovation AB, a world leading research and development company in flooring technology with many licensees worldwide. For more information please visit the Välinge Innovation AB website.

Our policy is to maintain as much of the original building as possible whilst at the same time refurbishing to the highest possible standard and comfort levels. Once completed these objects are used in the tourist industry and offer some of the best available accommodations in Dubrovnik.

Current properties inside the group include:

Boutique Hotel Kazbek – A sophisticated boutique setting with only 12 superior and deluxe bedrooms and 1 suite, the Kazbek Hotel is a ‘home from home’ for many discerning Dubrovnik visitors looking for a high degree of privacy and modern facilities in a historical ambience.

Pervanovo Apartments – Sumptuousness and comfort combined would be the best way to describe the luxury Pervanovo Apartments. Located in the suburb of Lapad, our apartments are a mere ten minutes away from the historic Dubrovnik Old City. Eight luxury villas have a total of 18 newly constructed apartments designed to offer guests comfort and style. Our apartments are equipped to the highest standard and have all the mod cons to make your holiday perfect. Air-conditioning, DVD players, HD-TV’s, washing machines, WiFi Internet access and modern furniture are just some of the features of our Pervanovo luxury apartments.

Celenga Apartments – The Celenga Apartments, Dubrovnik Old City are a perfect union of the past with the present. Sensitive restoration seamlessly blends with imaginative contemporary design to ensure the building retains its unique character. In order to make this experience memorable we have dedicated ourselves to designing modern and comfortable studios and apartments in Dubrovnik Old Town with a historic and educative touch. Whether you are looking for an overnight stay, short break, or annual family holiday, The Celenga Apartments will enable you to recharge your batteries, and nourish your body and soul. Offering period character with a contemporary twist, each of the apartments are individually designed and furnished. Different apartment sizes offer you different comfort levels. All our apartments and studios are fully equipped and ready to meet your every expectation… LCD TV sets with satellite programs, DVD, AC, all kitchen appliances you may require, large sized bathrooms with bathtubs. Common areas offer more space in lounge areas and there are also laundry facilities which might be useful for longer stays.

SUNce Palace Apartments – set in the centre of Dubrovnik Old City and located just a few steps from famous Stradun street. It blends vibrant interior design and historical touch to provide unique accommodation in most central part of Dubrovnik. The Apartments SUNce Palace is a fantastic place for you to stay while visiting Dubrovnik. Apart from the location, which has you within easy walking distance of all the places of interest, the apartments itself are an ideal base from which to plan your daily activities, from cultural visits of Dubrovnik old town, to boat trips to the islands, day on the beach, visit to nearby regions and much more.

Vila Riva Apartments – located a mere stone’s throw away from the crystal blue Adriatic Sea and in the very centre of Slano, a small town situated around 30 km from UNESCO’S protected Dubrovnik Old City. A total of 12 self-catering apartments and studios are set within a beautifully restored stone Dalmatian house and surrounded by the glorious Mediterranean countryside. Elegantly decorated, all in bright colours each of the apartments and studios are fully equipped to facilitate your every need and offer a homely and friendly atmosphere. These four-star apartments accommodating between 2 and 5 guests boast a contemporary design and modern conveniences and are perfect for couples, families or groups of friends who value independence.

Villa Franica – Surrounded by ancient olive trees, impressive palms, thick laurel shrubs and citrus trees on the crystal clear Adriatic Sea lies the luxury Villa Franica. Seemingly a million miles away from the hustle and bustle the city and yet surprisingly close by, Villa Franica in Dubrovnik offers guests the perfect opportunity for a relaxed break. This meticulously renovated luxury villa presents exceptional comfort with a total of five fully climate controlled rooms located over three levels. Villa Franica is open all year round for guests and is the perfect destination for families or larger groups. Great care and attention has been given to the interior design of the villa and there is a true Mediterranean feel with light colours and tasteful furnishings. The whole villa is surrounded by an extensive and luscious garden with terraces areas of differing sizes and over differing levels that can be utilized in many ways. Breakfast in the morning on the main front terrace in the sun, lunch around the pool area or a party on the large back terrace, the choice is yours. The villa’s inviting swimming pool is ideal for keeping cool during Dubrovnik’s warm summer months and lies partly in the shade of soaring palm trees.

Villa Tereza – Nestled away in the lush green Konavle countryside, hidden away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, lies the beautiful VILLA TEREZA. As you enter the villa through the impressive courtyard area it seems that Bme stopped centuries ago. Villa Tereza is a wonder of tradiBon and culture, a monument to a Bme when the aristocracy ruled the region, a Bme of nobility. Villa Tereza has a long and wealthy history. The villa was originally mentioned back in the second half of the 18th century. Although the history doesn’t start there, in the 15th century the charming chapel located in the villa’s gardens was constructed. It can be also be assumed, although the history books are vague, that the chapel was built by a noble family that once upon a 3me owned the villa. The only remaining evidence of the villas existence today is a land right to the property by the Caboga in 1891. Villa Tereza has stood proudly overlooking the rolling hills of Konavle for centuries.

You will be in good hands

We are a team of hard-workers dedicated to ensure a positive guest experience.

All of us have been working in hospitality industry from the very beginning of our careers in top Dubrovnik and Croatian hotels, restaurants, travel agencies etc.

We believe our guests said it all through reviews on Tripadvisor so we are proudly invite you to take a look at the Tripadvisor pages of our properties:

Hotel Kazbek