Guest Reviews

The week lives up to its billing. Relaxingly active is a very good description and this Dalmatian island is lovely with beautiful crystal clear warm waters. The vibe is like a cross between Greek island (laid back and warm) and Italy (excellent food and wine but without the frenetic air). We were delightfully energised without getting exhausted, and the whole family enjoyed the
combination of sea kayaking and biking 'at your own pace'. Up for it for those who were, laid back for those who weren’t or were first timers. Craig and Xania are impressive at gently assessing what people wanted or were capable of doing, with a light touch on coaching appropriate according to needs and fitness or lack of it. One of us managed and loved the morning (rather early to avoid the sun) yoga sessions. An unexpected highlight is Xania's superb vegetarian cooking (we are generally unreconstructed carnivores), not to mention her brilliant afternoon cakes (her tiffin particularly lives on in the children's memories) and the carefully researched suggestions for local restaurants at other times. (Dad, aged 44)

My most exciting memory would probably be one of the times when we were out kayaking and we stopped on a little beach in the middle of nowhere, and we went snorkeling and we weren’t out even a meter deep and I saw a long yellow spotted eel just sitting there. Then I was swimming across the bay and still only about 90 cm deep and I saw an octopus!!! It was amazing. (Izzie age
12)

Joe, Sophia, Izzie & felix - Sept 2009
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“By far, the best holiday I have ever had. Great location, excellent activities and wonderful food”

Mike, Ali, Ben, Helen & Amy July 2009
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What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?

The yoga on the rock by the sea. The wonderful sea kayaking. The challenging cycling. Xania's excellent cooking with the treat of home baked cake in the afternoon. The warmth of Xania and Craig's welcome. Their lack of fuss but thoughtful and thorough approach to all aspects of the holiday.

Anne & Chris - July 2009
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“We are both going home feeling totally recharged. You have both made this a wonderful experience and holiday which has far exceeded any expectations!”

Chris & Sal - October 2009
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Both Xania and Craig are experts at matching appropriate activities/routes to the ability level of the whole family. As a result we all felt we achieved something at the end of the each day whilst feeling challenged. We have never sea kayaked before and experiencing something new was incredibly exciting. The opportunities to stop and swim, snorkel or rock-jump was also much
appreciated. Their personalised approach also meant that the adults could go off on longer bike rides whilst the kids were occupied picking figs or riding to the next point in the land rover. At NO point did they feel like they were sitting out and were thoroughly entertained. This meant that we could thoroughly relax and immerse ourselves in the holiday as a result.

We felt genuinely upset at having to leave and would love to return next year. We have not experienced a holiday where ALL of the family are happy ALL of the time - we usually enter into lengthy negotiations and strike a compromise. It has also inspired us to continue with some of the activities back in the UK and spend more time 'adventuring' as a family - we even put it into practice on Sunday with a 12 mile bike ride so it isn't hot air!

Martin, Ann, Elliot & Oliver - Sept 2009
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“Thank you so much for a fantastic two weeks. We have enjoyed every minute and really do not want to go home. Hope to see you again next year!”

Lynne, Mike, Thomas & Charlotte - August 2009
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We arrived back from our Wear Active holiday in Croatia a couple of weeks ago and we had a wonderful time, I would definitely recommend this holiday for anyone who wants to enjoy a relaxing break with plenty of activities to get involved with while benefiting the friendly local community. One of the most memorable days was waking early and experiencing yoga on the rocks next to the sea with the early morning sun rising over the hills and the fish leaping through the waves. After breakfast we enjoyed the short kayak ride to the luminous green cave, snorkeling and rock diving in the clear sea. and after a sumptuous vegetarian lunch a relaxing afternoon dozing in the shade of a palm tree reading a book. the best of everything!

Craig and Xania do everything to make your holiday a special time, a difficult thing when you holiday with two teenage boys! We all had a wonderful time. At the end of the holiday we felt that we had made two new friends!

A few tips for other travelers, don't expect a typical resort, Vis is a quiet island with a couple of lovely towns, white pebbly beaches and a couple of sandy coves. Craig and Xania know the mountain biking trails throughout the island and know where to take you no matter what your cycling abilities.

Mike, Yvette, Michael & Lucas - August 2006
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In terms of recommendations ......... A fabulous holiday on a beautiful island, made special by the hosts Craig and Xania who not only feed us royally but kept two adults the eighteen year boy and thirteen girl fully entertained not an easy combination. Good luck and thanks again

Andy, Liz, Ben & Rachel - September 2006
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All of the holiday was great. Well thought out good activities with good working equipment. Good quality mountain bikes. Sea kayaking was amazing, visited great bays and even a green grotto. Our children really enjoyed the holiday. The activities were just in the morning so you had the afternoon to do what you wanted. The food we had at the homestead was excellent 5 star homemade veggie food. None of us are vegetarian and we all loved the food. Xania the hostess should really make a recipe book! Beautiful simple stylish contemporary accommodation in a great location, even the air on Vis smelt great (wild rosemary).

Mary, Jez, Elliot & Esme - August 2009
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“A fantastic week, great food, kayaking and yoga. I feel very relaxed yet energised, thanks for your hospitality and making it a wonderful holiday.”

Sarah - May 2008
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The Island of Vis was beautiful, unspoilt, quiet and unlike anything we have come across before. Our hosts Craig and Xania shared their beautiful home, organised appropriate levels of activity for all members of the family and interacted with our three children brilliantly. Xania produced fantastic vegetarian food. Kayaking and Cycling gave us the opportunity to explore the island in a very natural way. This holiday gave us above all the opportunity to spend huge amounts of time with our children doing things we all enjoy but rarely find the time for at home. We wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone wanting a 'relaxingly active' holiday, especially families with active children. Our kids ranging from a very fit and active 12 year old to a 7 year old all had a wonderful time. We are all looking forward to going back. The best family holiday we have had.

Rowe Family - May 2008
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Thank you both for a super week! We did things we never thought we would - or could!! + ate like kings. All the things that make a holiday great. Love this place and its lovely hosts. Thank you.

Pauline & Cilian - July 2008
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This was a really fantastic experience with delightful hosts who couldn't have been more thoughtful, enthusiastic and friendly. Great care and concern for our individual requirements were constantly shown to make sure we had the maximum benefit from the holiday. We enjoyed all the activities, managing great new experiences and came away with a real feeling of achievement. Sea kayaking along the coast and learning to manage the gears on a mountain bike figure as memorable, but everything we did was fun and challenging. My daughter and I found we could push the boundaries of what we thought we were capable of in a safe and enjoyable way.

Caroline & Erin - May 2008
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Holiday's are always a bit of a gamble; will the accommodation be comfortable; will the location be right; will there be enough to do; will the people be nice; will the food be good? On this holiday, the gamble really paid off. The accommodation was beautifully presented, the location was idilic, the balance of activities and relaxing was perfect, the hosts were attentive to all our needs and the food was amazing. I was able to completely forget about life and home and totally relax into the island's surroundings. Perfect!

Ben & Emma - May 2008
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“Lovely! See you next year.”

David, Joy, Dylan & Jasmine - Aug 2008
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Just amazing - from the activities to the amazing cooking to spending time getting to know a group of fab people - does exactly what it says on the tin - active but very relaxing. Thanku

Paula & Scott - June 2008
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Vis (and indeed) Croatia were far more beautiful than we had anticipated. Kayaking on several days allowed us to inhale the intense color and clarity of the sea water surrounding the island. We have swum in ocean waters in other parts of the world, but this was completely special as we floated and snorkeled in the beautiful sea. The scenery is incredible.

Xania and Craig have developed some excellent contacts on the island, and by bringing or directing their guests to various local restaurants are adding significantly to the local economy. Xania's wonderful vegetarian dishes are all created from local produce. In the summer, the variety and quality of the fruit and vegetables is superb.

We enjoyed the experience very much - especially those we shared it with. We were really a disparate group but we all had fun together, especially when you consider we ranged in age from 15 months to 60 years!

Anne & Frank - July 2008
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Everything was superb from the standard and quality of the equipment to the care and attention given by the operator to the activities and the superb freshly prepared food shared in excellent company. The morning yoga in a stunning setting started the day off wonderfully. Kayaking and snorkeling in the clear blue sea with lots of fish to look at in the quiet rocky bays.

Its usual to be able to see little things that can be done to improve a holiday. We could find none on this holiday. Everything was thought of. The operator had catered for all eventualities and communicated all aspects of the week to us. There is no pressure to take part in the activities and all abilities were well catered for. Craig and Xania are wonderful hosts and will do all they can to help your holiday be as close to perfect they can make it.

Ken, Monica & Rebecca - August 2007
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A very special stay indeed – your hospitality has been magnificent – truly grateful to be allowed to expand my portfolio of international cricket stories! We couldn’t have asked for a more lovely week, beyond our expectations by far. Thank you

Anton & Hillary - 2007
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Really great. Craig and Xania are the perfect hosts knowing just when to make conversation and get us involved in beach games etc., as well as when to leave us alone for family time. They encouraged each of us to achieve the best level of fitness we were capable of. We had our children ages 18, 13 and 9 and we all, adults included, had a great time. Vis is a beautiful island too!

Amy, Bob, Lucy, Tristan, Elise - August 2007
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“Our holiday in Vis was truly as relaxingly active as we had been promised. The house was stylishly renovated and very comfortable, and the food was imaginative, varied and delicious. The extras such as being able to help yourself to tea, fruit, cold juice and home-made cake were especially welcome. Best of all were the activities. Yoga before breakfast overlooking the turquoise Dalmatian Sea has to be an inspiring way to start the day. We learned to sea-kayak and felt a great sense of achievement when we kayaked around the island into the main port of Vis- even if we had felt slightly daunted at Craig's warning at one point;" you can't stop paddling in the next 75 minutes or you will just go backwards". We also improved our mountain-biking confidence and learned some new tricks. Craig and Xania were both patient teachers, and the equipment was excellent. All in all , it was a holiday I would happily recommend ."

Kris & Ella - September 2006
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“So good we are back for seconds! & brought friends. Thanks for another great holiday”

John & Jacqui - June 2009
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Craig and Xania have created a wonderful blend of adventure and comfort. Their knowledge of the island, their expertise of the sporting activities and their flexibility in working with guests created an environment of wanderlust in a safe context. From the healthy breakfasts to the afternoon tea and cakes to the evening wine with dinner, each meal was delicious. Our children, ages 9 and 13 rate this vacation as one of the best.

Cassie, Buddy, Declan & Hadley - August 2006
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