Villa Caroline - Apartment with huge terrace and panoramic sea view of the bay - Okrug Gornji

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Apartment

Overview
Amenities
Policies
Location
Host

9.4

Exceptional

3 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6

Popular amenities

Washer

Pet-friendly

Kitchen

Air conditioning

Barbecue grill

Outdoor space

Check-in time

2:00 PM

Check-out time

10:00 AM

Explore the area

Okrug Gornji, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija

Labadusa Beach4 min drive
Okrug Gornji Beach7 min drive
Trogir Main Square10 min drive
Split (SPU)20 min drive

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Single Beds

Stretch sofa in living room

1 Double Futon

2 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Toilet · Shower only

Bathroom 2

Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio

Kitchen

Garden

Dining Area

About this property

Villa Caroline - Apartment with huge terrace and panoramic sea view of the bay

68 square meter apartment with two big terraces with sea view of the bay. Sleeps 4+2 persons in two bedrooms, one with double-bed and the other with two one person beds (can be put together). Plus 2 persons can sleep on stretch sofa in the living room. Two bathrooms with shower enclosure. Very cozy and comfortable apartment. Peaceful location, 120 meters from the sea. Big barbecue. Suburban area. Beautiful garden.

Property manager

Caroline Penga

Languages

Croatian, English, German, Russian

Amenities

Kitchen

Washer

Pet-friendly

Free WiFi

Air conditioning

Outdoor space

Kitchen

Washer

Air conditioning

Outdoor space

House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM

Check out before 10:00 AM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed: limit 2 total

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy

Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges

Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed

On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited

Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip

Host has not indicated whether there is a smoke detector on the property

About the area

Okrug Gornji

Located in Okrug, this apartment is in a rural area and near the beach. Split Marina and Port of Split are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Kasuni Beach and Split Riva. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at Youth Park Stadium or Poljud Stadium. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

View more Apartments in Okrug Gornji

Okrug Gornji, Splitsko-dalmatinska županija

What's nearby

Labadusa Beach - 4 min drive
Okrug Gornji Beach - 7 min drive
Trogir Marina - 9 min drive
Trogir Main Square - 10 min drive
Trogir Historic Site - 11 min drive

Getting around

Kaštel Stari Station - 21 min drive
Split (SPU) - 21 min drive

Restaurants

‪Caffe La Vela - ‬6 min walk
‪Restaurant Bocel - ‬13 min drive
‪Caffe Bar Papaya - ‬5 min drive
‪Flashback Caffe Bar - ‬5 min drive
‪Borkko - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Villa Caroline - Apartment with huge terrace and panoramic sea view of the bay pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows pets (limit 2 total).

What time is check-in at Villa Caroline - Apartment with huge terrace and panoramic sea view of the bay?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Villa Caroline - Apartment with huge terrace and panoramic sea view of the bay?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Villa Caroline - Apartment with huge terrace and panoramic sea view of the bay located?

Situated near the beach, this apartment building is within 1 mile (2 km) of Church of St. Charles Borromeo, Church of St. Theodore and Okrug Gornji Beach. Duga uvala and Labadusa Beach are also within 2 miles (3 km).

9.4

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.

Learn more

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

9.6/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

10/10 Excellent

Anna K.

28 Aug 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wunderschöner Urlaub!

Wir waren 12 Tage da. Und würden immer wieder dahin fahren. Die Eigentümer waren sehr nett und immer hilfsbereit. Der Strand lag 150 Meter entfernt von uns. Die Strandpromenade war bisschen weiter weg aber man könnte sie auch fussläufig erreichen ca. 10-15 min.

10/10 Excellent

Astrid P.

4 Aug 2021

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wundervoller und erholsamer Urlaub

Eine gemütliche urige Ferienwohnung, in der wir 18 erholsame Tage verbrachten. Wenn man nicht viel Luxus braucht und will, ist man hier genau richtig. Es ist alles Notwendige da. Besonders genossen haben wir den Kontakt zu Familie Penga, die uns mit ihrer zugewandten und freundlichen Art den Aufenthalt noch schöner gemacht hat. So erfuhren wir auch viel über Land und Leute und genossen sehr die gemeinsamen Abende bei Wein und leckerem Essen. Danke. Es war toll.

Stayed 18 nights in Jul 2021

8/10 Good

Andrea G.

24 Aug 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

erholsamer Urlaub in toller Umgebung

Wir haben zusammen mit unseren beiden Kindern und einer engen Freundin sehr erholsame 14 Tage bei Familie Penga verbracht. Die Kommunikation mit Caroline im Vorfeld war völlig unproblematisch und bei der Anreise wurden wir schon erwartet. Sie hat uns alles in der Wohnung und rund ums Haus gezeigt und auch gleich einige wertvolle Tipps für die Urlaubsgestaltung gegeben. Wir hatten das Glück, dass wir die große Gemeinschaftsterrasse mit dem herrlichen Blick aufs Meer alleine nutzen konnten und so war für alle genügend Platz. Auch während unseres Aufenthalts war der Kontakt zu Familie Penga sehr herzlich und bei ein paar kleineren Problemen in der Wohnung hat uns der Herr des Hauses sofort hilfreich unterstützt. Die Wohnung liegt auf einer Anhöhe, was aber für Okrug nichts Ungewöhnliches ist, da es hier generell sehr hügelig ist. Man tut auf alle Fälle etwas für seine Fitness, aber das saubere Meer und der gemütliche Strand, den man in wenigen Geh-Minuten erreicht, entschädigen für alles. Supermärkte, Bäcker und Obststände sind ebenfalls gut zu erreichen und auch Restaurants und der große Orts-Strand mit vielen Bars und buntem Trubel sind bequem zu Fuß erreichbar. Ein Besuch von Trogir und Split empfiehlt sich mit dem Boot zu unternehmen, weil die Fahrt dorthin je nach Tageszeit und Fahrzeuggröße sehr nervenaufreibend und zeitintensiv sein kann. Sehenswert sind beide Städte auf alle Fälle. Aber auch hier hat uns Caroline mit Tipps und Informationen weitergeholfen. Fast schon am Ende unseres Urlaubs hat uns Familie Penga gemeinsam mit den anderen Gästen zu einem sehr gemütlichen Grillabend eingeladen, bei dem wir von Caroline mit hervorragendem Essen, eigenem Wein und selbst gebranntem Schnaps bestens versorgt worden sind und bis tief in die Nacht geredet und gelacht haben. Rundum war es ein wunderbarer erholsamer Urlaub und wenn wir noch mal nach Okrug fahren - was nicht ganz unwahrscheinlich ist - werden wir bestimmt wieder bei Caroline anfragen. Danke für eine tolle Zeit!!

10/10 Excellent

Thomas S.

6 Aug 2019

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Thanks Caroline:-)

We have had a perfect vacation with Carolina and her family. The apartment was super and the view fantastic, our host was super sweet and helpful, we felt very welcome. It is definitely a place we want to come back to.

Stayed 16 nights in Jul 2019

10/10 Excellent

Thomas T.

30 July 2018

Schöner Urlaub bei Familie Penga

Im Juli 2018 verbrachten wir unseren diesjährigen Sommerurlaub bei der Familie Penga in Kroatien. Vor zwei Jahren waren wir bereits schon einmal in Kroatien und hatten sehr schöne Erinnerungen. Daher waren unsere Erwartungen auch dieses Mal recht hoch. Und sie wurden mit unserem Aufenthalt in der Villa Caroline auch vollstens erfüllt. In der Villa hatten wir alles was wir benötigten. Die Zimmer waren sehr großzügig. Unsere Extrawünsche wurden von Caroline Penga immer erfüllt. Es war ein sehr familiärer Aufenthalt. Den nahegehegenen Flughafen in Split haben wir in der Villa nicht wahrgenommen. Zum Strand waren es nur wenige Gehminuten. Wir haben eine sehr schöne Badestelle in Richtung der Prommenade gefunden. Die Kieselsteine waren so klein, dass wir ohne Badeschuhe ins Wasser gehen konnten. Daran hatten insbesondere unsere beiden Kinder viel Spaß. Eine große Abwechslung war der tägliche Spaziergang am Hauptbadestrand. Dort gab es jede Menge Essmöglichkeiten. Sehr zu empfehlen ist das leckere kroatische Eis. Es war ein sehr erholsamer Urlaub. Wir möchten uns auf diesem Wege noch einmal bei der Familie Penga für die schönen 12 Tage bedanken. Wir können die Unterkunft zu 100% weiterempfehlen.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

suzanne m.

19 Aug 2017

Everything you need

Caroline is a gracious host. The apartment is well appointed with kitchen necessities and comfortable seating. She also provides the necessities for the beach with cushions (remember the beaches are rocky), umbrellas, toys, etc. The terrace has a lovely view. Remember that with the view, comes a steep climb up to the property from the beach. The exercise was good for me, but those with mobility issues might have difficulty.

Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

elaine gould

4 Aug 2017

Lovely apartment

Enjoyed a great week staying here. Apartment well equipped. Shared balcony is lovely to sit out on and it has a lovely sea view. Caroline and her husband are excellent hosts. Okrug is a small village by the beach, has really only basic shops. Good for chilling out and relaxing at the beach. Sea lovely to swim in.Trogir is a bigger town. We didn't have a car. We were able to walk each morning into okrug to the bakery and shops. In okrug you can get the passenger ferry over to Trogir, it goes very regularly, last ferry quite late so you can easily go to trogir at night for a meal. The beach is about 5 min walk away from the apartment it's not a sandy beach , fine pebbles so bring your water shoes. Only one disadvantage is that apartment is at the top of a very steep hill. Wherever you go you have to come back up the steep climb, perhaps not suitable for families with very young children or very elderly because of that. By the end of the week our fitness levels had improved!

Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2017

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Pernille B.

29 July 2017

Very nice hosts.

We had a very nice stay in the apartment. The hosts are very welcoming and the dinner they held for us and the other guests was tasty and We had a very nice evening with good talks and singing. All the best from us - Bertil, Lina Maj, Thomas and Pernille from Denmark.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Greg S.

14 Sept 2016

Fantastic holiday with a really warm welcome

This was a perfect holiday apartment for our family of five. Great location near to the sea, and lovely views from the balcony. The apartment had everything we needed. The hosts were incredibly welcoming and went out of their way to ensure we had a fantastic stay. The traditional Croatian dinner they cooked for us and the guests of Apartment 2 was delicious - it was a great evening. They went above and beyond what we could have expected to ensure our stay was a success, helping us whenever we encountered any difficulties on our holiday. Top tip: getting around by boat is a lot easier than getting around by car (there was just one bridge leaving the island and so a lot of traffic which you could avoid if you got the very regular and convenient boats instead).

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Lucy M.

28 Sept 2015

Lovely apartment, stunning setting

We had a wonderful stay with the Penga family which included a delicious fish barbecue cooked by Caroline. The apartment was spacious and clean, with a beautiful sea view from the terrace. The Penga family were very welcoming and made us feel very much at home, which was lovely as we had a young baby. There is lots to do in the local area with lovely local restaurants just a short walk away. The beach is just below the apartment which offers clear blue water to cool off in. We highly recommend a stay with the Penga family.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Jane M.

14 June 2015

Spotlessly clean unit

We stayed one week at this ground floor apartment. It was small but had everything required. It was a perfect stay. Caroline, John and their sons were so welcoming and nothing was too much trouble. It is a beautiful area and a trip in to Trogir is advised for its' quaint old town alleyways and historic interest.. Jane and Doug Muir

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

6/10 Okay

Christiane O.

17 Sept 2014

Sommer 2014

Das Vermieterpaar ist wirklich sehr freundlich und nett, die Wohnung selbst hat uns leider weniger gefallen. Es gibt zwar eine grosse Terrasse mit Meerblick , doch die Einrichtung ist Jahrzehnte alt und recht abgewohnt, einiges, z.B. in den Bädern funktionierte nicht und wirkte ungepflegt. Gemessen an der Lage am Ortsrand ( mal kurz zu Fuss zum Schwimmen ist nur für sehr sportliche Naturen machbar) und der Ausstattung fanden wir die Preise zu hoch.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

13 Nov 2013

Es waren schöne Flitterwochen!!!

Wir können die Ferienwohnungen der Familie Penga wärmstens empfehlen. Die Gastgeber waren sehr freundlich und stets hilfsbereit. Wir haben uns bei den Pengas sehr willkommen gefühlt. Egal ob man Englisch, Deutsch oder Russisch spricht, Frau Penga und Ihr Mann können einem super verstehen und weiterhelfen. Die Wohnung ist für alle Jahreszeiten bestens ausgestattet, eine Heizung und eine Klimaanlage ist vorhanden. Selbst im Oktober kann man hier noch ordentlich Sonne tanken! Und bei den 3-4 Regentagen die wir während unseres Aufenthaltes hatten, haben wir es uns in der Wohnung gemütlich gemacht. Die Umgebung und der Ort Okrug Gornji laden zum Baden, Schnorcheln und Wandern ein. Lebensmittelläden sind ausreichend vorhanden und die umliegenden Städte Split und Trogir laden zum flanieren und shoppen ein. Es danken vielmals, Sabine & Christian

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Nigel L.

19 Sept 2012

Warmest Welcome in Wonderful Location

We booked this lovely appartment based on the pictures on HomeAway and the excellent reviews that we had seen. In fact the pictures, nice as they are, do not do it justice as the accomodation is perfect for a 2 week stay with all the facilities you need, an outstanding view over the bay and most of all because Caroline and Ivica are the most marvellous, warm and welcoming hosts we have ever experienced. Nothing is too much trouble for them and after the 2 weeks we felt like we were leaving good friends behind when we packed our bags and left for the airport (thanks to Ivica for collecting and returning us to the airport). perhaps the highlight of the holiday was the amazing meal that Caroline cooked for us, and for the guests in the other appartment which was complimented by some excellent home made wine and spirits made by Ivica. Okrug Gornji is a great location and our appartment was just 5 minutes walk down to the beach and about 12 minutes from the harbour where there were good restaurants and boats about every 20 minutes over to Trogir. Trogir is just 15 minutes away on the boat and the return trip for my wife and I cost just 80 kuna, or £9, and incredible bargain for a wonderful experience. Trogir is a lovely historic town with a tremendous ambience and it is also worth a trip on the boat to Split and Medena (both from Trogir). All in all a wonderful holiday made special by a couple of really wonderful people. Nigel and Sue Law

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Kirsi S.

19 Sept 2012

Holiday on Ciovo

We spent a wonderful and most relaxing week on beautiful Ciovo island in this nice and tidy apartment enjoying the hospitality of Caroline and Ivo. The apartment was very well equipped to make a meal if wanted but there were also nice restaurants in walking distance to eat out. Weather was so sunny, beaches great and the sea just awesome - perfect for sunbathing, canooing, walking along the rocky beach or the several paths across the island and villages and of course swimming! Everything needed was near by. We made a trip to Trogir once by foot and once with a boat that goes frequently and is easy and cheap. Caroline and Ivo were the most helpful and cheerful hosts warmly taking care of their guests. And the dinner of Caroline's bbq Croatian sea food and Ivo's house wine on the balcony was the best! We can warmly recommend this apartment and hope to get there again in the future.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

Lucy L.

12 Oct 2011

Late summer stay in 2011

We were made very welcome from the moment we were picked up at the airport, till we were taken back. Very comfortable, well maintained studio apartment. Weather was fantastic, local food tasty and excellent value. Hired a scooter for a couple of days which was a great way to explore the other beaches around the island. Enjoyed using the local taxi boats. Split and Trogir a 'must' to visit. The Croatian family meal with the hosts and their friends was a highlight of our holiday - plenty of Ivo's homemade cherry liqueur flowing! Would definitely go back again.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

25 Aug 2010

Schöne Ferienwohnung, sehr freundliche Gastgeber

Wir waren im August 2010 für zwei Wochen zu Gast. Die Vermieter sprechen sehr gut deutsch und englisch. Sie sind sehr freundlich und hilfsbereit. An einem Abend wurden für die Gäste Fisch und Meeresfrüchte zubereitet. Es war wirklich ausgezeichnet. Wir saßen bis in die Nacht zusammen und haben reichlich Schnaps und Wein getrunken. Es war eine wunderbare Atmosphäre. Man hat einen persönlichen Kontakt und erfährt so vieles über das Land, das Leben und auch über die jüngste Vergangenheit. Die Wohnung ist gut ausgerüstet, zwei gut eingerichtete Bäder sind hilfreich, wenn man mit Kindern unterwegs ist. Es gibt eine Klimaanlage, die man aber nicht häufig braucht, weil die Wohnung angenehm kühl bleibt, auch bei 30 Grad tagsüber. Zum Strand sind es ca. 200 m, etwas steil den Berg runter. An diesem Teil des Strandes ist es auch in der Hauptsaison relativ ruhig. Man kommt gut ins Wasser und kann schön schwimmen und tauchen. Wer das pralle beachlife mag, geht ca 10 Minuten Richtung Zentrum. Dort ist natürlich mehr los, dafür gibt es feinen Kiesstrand und die Restaurants und Bars. Okrug Gornji eignet sich sehr gut für einen entspannten Badeurlaub. Die Gäste hier sind international und kultiviert. Auch abends wird man nicht mit Alkoholexzessen konfrontiert. Alle halbe Stunde fährt ein Boot nach Trogir. Dort gibt es eine wunderschöne Altstadt, mit vielen guten Restaurants. Es macht einfach Spaß, abends nach Trogir zu fahren, durch die engen Gassen zu bummeln und sich ein schönes Restaurant zu suchen. Wir haben mit dem Essen nur gute Erfahrungen gemacht, zu absolut vernünftigen Preisen. Von Trogir aus kommt man per Schiff gut nach Split. Wir hatten uns für die ganze Zeit einen Mietwagen gebucht. Das würde ich in der Hauptreisezeit nicht mehr machen. Die Brücke nach Trogir ist im August ein richtiges Nadelöhr. Eine Stunde muss man einrechnen, um von der Halbinsel runter zu kommen, es sei denn man fährt sehr früh. Die Ausflugsziele in der Nähe sind gut per Schiff und Bus zu erreichen. Wer eine individuelle und freundliche Atmosphäre für den Urlaub sucht, der ist in dieser Ferienwohnung und bei diesen Gastgebern gut aufgehoben.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

18 Aug 2010

Dalmatian Hospitality at its finest!

We selected this apartment based on location and the reviews that we'd read. The hosts Caroline and Ivo made us feel very welcome and part of the family; indeed as we left it was hard to suppress tears! The location is good and although we had a car it's not really necessary. The property is an appetite-stimulating 20 minute walk to the local harbour where ferry boats leave every half hour to the beautiful resort of Trogir. The ferry is a bargain (about 2 Euro each way) and the return trips in the evening very romantic as you gaze on the lights on the hills and the stars overhead. We dined in Trogir most evenings on excellent fish, cooked on wood burning grills. Trogir has great shops, bars, galleries and restaurants and you can do some serious celebrity-watching as the massive yachts arrive in port. Split is well worth a visit and easily accessible by car, ferry or bus. The national park at KRKA is a great day out, again by car or through local travel agencies. Okrug Gornji is a seasonal resort so has a limited number of restaurants and they tend not to accept credit cards. The beach has many lively bars, a great massage service (only take the Sport Massage if you can seriously take pain!) and a couple of good supermarkets which are open late. Caroline and Ivo honoured us with one of their famous guest dinners accompanied by Ivo's world famous wine! The apartment had everything we needed including wireless internet and a musical shower! They will happily pick up guests from Split airport and we will seriously consider this apartment for extended weekend breaks as well as longer stays.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

11 Aug 2010

Good location, warm atmosphere

Good place to spend a couple of weeks. The rooms are clean, comfortable and good equipped. Owners are very hospitable, their fish party for the guest is unforgettable. Location gives a lot of opportunities - the nearest beach is three houses down (platforms and pebble), 15 minutes to marina is wellknown Saldun beach, to the south side 25 minutes through the forest is very beautiful Labadusa beach.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

20 Jan 2010

Apartment with huge balcony and panoramic sea view

We had a great time at this apartment. Very close to the aiport and the owners offered a useful lfit there and back for a small price. Accommodation clean and spacious with a large terrace with great views across the bay. We spent almost all of our time at the beach, where the water was clear and warm and our two small children really enjoyed playing in the water. The beaches were white gravel, we thought this would be a problem however it wasn't as you could buy beach shoes very cheaply from the local shops. Our hosts were were warm and friendly without being OTT. The Wednesday evening they hosted a wonderful meal for the guests of the three apartments where a lot of home made wine was consumed. Trogir just a short boat ride a way. Great place to visit. Local restaurants about 15 min walk away along the beach promenade. The beach was down quite a steep hill but we got used to this very quickly. Highly recommended in terms of country and apartment.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

9 Sept 2009

If you love the sun.

The beauty of this region of Dalmatia is unmatched. The many islands nearby and ancient Trogir only a short distance away means there are many many options for day trips. There are many family beaches, aswell as the main beach with the resturants, kiosks and a grocery store, all at easy convenience. It would be quite hard to match the quiet hospitality offered by the owners of the property, from helpful information at booking stage right up to advice upon arrival, their professionalism was second to none. Which is not to mention their warm, hospitable nature, from the dinner of Dalmatian delicacies to the homebrewed delicacies, without intruding upon our space they really provided us with far more than we could have expected. I highly recommend this property.

This review was submitted before 2018 and has not been verified.

8/10 Good

22 Aug 2009

Holiday feedback

One plus is also a minus; the view from the balcony over the sea with hills beyond is good but the steep treck up the path from the shore is... steep! Keeps you fit but boy do you need a drink when you get back home. We found iced tea works a treat. If you don't want the walk, we found the balcony was always a place to get some serious tanning as it is such a sun trap. Our hosts were very hospitable and on one night we enjoyed a specially prepared banquet and dined on the balcony with friends of the family and fellow guests. This turned into one of the best impromptu sing-a-longs that I have ever experienced - no musical stone was left unturned from the Beatles to Purple Rain! A lovely memory even thought the home-made wine caused us to lie low for the next day! Air conditioning in the sitting room was refreshing, great to have two showers and toilets for our family of 5 and there was good food preparation space. Overall good experience reflects the beautiful weather and our friendly hosts who spoke English very well. Ivo is also a mine of information on WW2 - try him on any fact and he has the answer, probably spoken from the lips of a ex-general or colonel that he has entertained!