Lost street in Losinj
blessed by nature, Lošinj is known as the island of wellness. It's beautiful croatian island located in the north center of the Adriatic, right at the mouth of the Kvaerner Gulf, does not disappoint.
Lošinj is the closest thing to a paradise on earth, and one of the best kept secrets of Croatia . Until today.
flying over paradise
But before landing in Lošinj, not an easy task, by the way, it is worth knowing that the 19th century marked a before and after in the popularity of this island, when its magnificent natural harbor became the Adriatic maritime center.
Shipbuilding was in full swing and the European aristocracy began to make eyes at this island where the Archduke was carl stephan one of the first aristocrats who landed on it thanks to its health benefits.
The Archduke was followed by other members of the Habsburg dynasty along with other members of the imperial court. Consequently, the upper bourgeoisie did not take long to imitate them , a determining factor that marked a key period that left its mark in the form of impressive villas that were once the summer homes of said royalty and European elite.
But Losinj It already had its golden moment and today here it has opted for a low and discreet profile, both tourist and lifestyle, which distances it from the pomp of the Belle Epoque.
And thanks to his determination, and its difficult access, this Croatian island is today a calm, relaxed and beautiful place where it seems that time has passed just enough.
(More) charming corners of Lošinj
Its beauty is a spectacle that begins to be enjoyed from the air when, after a two-hour flight on a commercial plane from Spain to Zagreb and just over half an hour on board a private plane to Lošinj (you can also get there by ferry), an island that has managed to maintain its natural charm as sleepy as it is seductive is perceived.
It is precisely to nature that the island owes so much. Myrtle, laurel, lavender… Lošinj is home to more than 1000 therapeutic and aromatic varieties that thrive here, and that together with the privileged microclimate and the almost pure clean air create a destination of well-being and vitality. However, the Austro-Hungarian Empire already declared Lošinj as a climatic spa in 1892.
Lošinj dip
It has rained a lot since then, but fortunately the island still conserves its soothing and healing properties attracting a new wave of travelers in search of peace, balance and well-being.
This is demonstrated in hotels like bellevue which, located in the typical Adriatic setting, surrounded by turquoise waters and countless pine trees , camouflages itself among the bounties of nature, giving rise to an idyllic image that is notably reminiscent of the Italian Portofino , although with prices that, fortunately, have nothing to do with it.
With a minimalist design, this hotel continues with the curative legacy of the island thanks to your Spa Clinic and the superlative offer of well-being and beauty that they propose.
With more than 2,500m2 of surface, its spa is the largest on the island and for its treatments they have brands such as the Swiss Valmont , which guarantees a good shot of revitalization.
The Valmont family is a master in cellular cosmetics and its skin care products are born in a natural and pure environment of Switzerland, in an alliance between alpine ingredients and advanced scientific experience that in the Bellevue hotel's beauty booths dominate to perfection. Switzerland and Croatia have never been closer.
extreme relaxation
And on the island of wellness few things make us feel better than a good meal accompanied by a good wine . Hence, its gastronomic offer pairs perfectly with the environment and offers the best that the land and the sea have to offer.
To eat, a good option is the Čikat restaurant , which takes its name from the bay that welcomes it, on the edge of the sea and very close to the hotel; here the best thing is to enjoy delicacies such as oysters or fresh fish from the Adriatic and accompany them with a local wine.
At night, the elaborate cuisine of the Chef Alfred Keller puts the note of sophistication to a gastronomy that stands out for the quality of the product, among which are fish, shellfish and meats such as lamb. A festival of innovative dishes that reinterpret tradition in a different way… and very delicious.
Losinj cottages
And despite the fact that no one would need to leave the hotel, there are a good handful of corners that are worth visiting, such as the Mali Losinj Port, dating back to the 14th century, located in the south of the island, in Augusta Bay.
A good option for shopping or walking, here the perfect postcard photo is the one that focuses directly on the houses of old sailors that border the port ; brightly colored, most date from the early 19th century.
On the southeast side of the island we find Veli Losinj, where the architecture and character continues to be reflected in the front-line houses, the cobblestone streets and the churches.
Veli Losinj
Of the latter, it is worth dwelling on two; the baroque church of San Antonio Abad and the Church of Our Lady of the Angels, which has a collection of paintings by Venetian masters.
Although without a doubt the most interesting thing about Veli Lošinj is not to be found in a church, but in a museum dedicated entirely to a statue, that of Apoxyomenos, dating from the I ac . The history of this bronze statue, which is forbidden to be photographed, is all the more exciting, as it was found at the bottom of the sea southeast of Lošinj in the 1990s by a Belgian diver.
After its media extraction from the sea (all a stir on the island where nothing ever happens) and a good handful of years of restoration, today it is exhibited in the museum of the same name and its visit, like that of the entire island, is absolutely essential.
The statue of Apoxyomenos