The majority of tourism on the island is centered around Hvar Town and the Pakleni Islands, and with so much to do there, it is perhaps not surprising that most of the guests there rarely venture further afield. Indeed, for many tourists in Hvar Town, the only experience they have of the rest of the island is the journey to and from the ferry terminal at Stari Grad for the connection to Split.
This is a pity, as there are many spectacular things to enjoy even just a short distance outside Hvar Town. As the leading hotel group on the island, Suncani Hvar Hotels, which is enjoying a record season, is the accommodation of choice for many of the island's guests. Keen to give the very best service to its guests, Suncani has a very informative and useful service called Concierge 360, which allows its visitors not only a broader overview of activity and transfer options, but also ease of booking through the concierge service.
While most guests stick close to the main square and the water taxis to the Pakleni Islands, Concierge 360 allows Suncani guests a variety of options, taking in various activities and locations all over the island. Here are a few examples of things to do which perhaps do not pop into one's head initially when thinking of Hvar as a destination, all of which can be arranged by Concierge 360:
Did you know that Hvar was a quality wine island with a wine heritage dating back thousands of years? Or that today's winemakers export as far away as China and California, and even have a wine served in a three-star Michelin restaurant in Amsterdam? Not only that, the wine tours of the island take you through the olive groves vineyards and inland stone villages which time forgot, before visiting some of the island's eclectic and quality winemakers. A fantastic day out to give you a totally different viewpoint of Hvar.
Off-road Jeep safaris and Beetle tours. Hvar's heritage dates back to Neolithic times (and the fascinating Neolithic Grapceva Spilja is one of its least visited wonders), and its very own UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Stari Grad Plain, dates back to the arrival of the Ancient Greeks in 384 BC. There are countless other treasures, hidden bays, coastal towns and breathtaking views to be explored, which can be done either by organised Jeep safari, or if you are feeling colourful and retro in a group, why not take the island's multi-coloured Beetles for a spin?
Explore the sea! Water taxis to Palmizana are rightly popular, but there is SO much more to get involved in. Sailing tours, kayaking for beginners and old hands around the Pakleni Islands, speedboat tours to the Blue Cave, and of course transfers to Split, the airport and other destinations.
Private dining and romantic options. The hotels have a number of excellent restaurants in house, of course, but as with any good concierge service, restaurant recommendations and bookings can be made elsewhere on the island. And if you are looking for something a little more special, such as a private dinner in an abandoned village or a special package for a romantic proposal (Champagne and strawberries at sunset on the peak of the island, perhaps?), one only has to ask.
Hvar Large Incentive Group from Marusa Nucic on Vimeo.
Hvar is an island which grabs people by its beauty, with instant thoughts of an immediate return. What is perhaps lesser known is that the island is an emerging business and conference destination, with impressive infrastructure and experience to cater to large groups holding corporate events. The largest of these took place in May last year, when some 650 guests came to the island on an incentive programme, which included the erection of an entire concert venue. Watch the video above. So if you are a businessman on holiday, with a thought of a conference to organise in the future, Concierge 360 is worth a quick visit to register options.
And what more romantic reason to return than to tie the knot? With more than 60 weddings last year alone, Suncani Hvar Hotels is becoming one of the leading providers of foreign weddings on the Adriatic, and if you just glance around the staggering beauty on offer on Hvar, it is not hard to see why. More than one hotel guest has come on holiday, then returned to marry, and if you are looking for a top location to celebrate that special day at a fraction of the cost back home, Concierge 360 is there for those initial steps.
Hvar, an island with something for everyone, and if you are guest of Suncani Hvar Hotels this summer, visited the concierge counters at Hotels Riva, Adriana and Amfora, where the Suncani dedicated team is waiting to open your eyes to Hvar 360.
For more information about Suncani Hvar, click here.
