Quaich, Hvar

Quaich, Hvar The Quaich is our home on Hvar which we share with guests during the summer in our three self catering cottages
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In 2005 Mick and Chris Connor made the decision to up roots in Sussex and move to the sun. Not quite at retiring stage, they decided to find the ideal location to create a small holiday complex offering simple but luxurious accommodation. We bought The Quaich* as a ruin back in 2005 and after much hard work and many trips back and forth from Brighton in UK with the majority of our furniture etc, w

e opened our doors to guests in summer 2008. The project turned out to be much more demanding than we first thought but with help from family and friends we have turned the ruin into a luxury home that we absolutely love and during the summer months share with our guests. Our life on the island is very different from back in the UK where Mick managed his own glazing company and I was a financial administrator. We still have a base back in Brighton and return there in the winter to see the kids. We chose to buy a property on Hvar mainly because it reminded Chris so much of Scotland with the mountains and pine forests everywhere and in addition the wonderful climate. In the spring the island is covered with wild stocks and freesia and the smells of rosemary linger. Vrbanj is a small mountain village away from the main road but not too far away from the nearest towns of Jelsa and Stari Grad. The sea is only 3km away and there are so many places to go swimming we are spoilt for choice. I was brought up in a small Scottish village where everyone knew each other and the old fashioned values such as helping your neighbour was a regular occurrence. Vrbanj is still like this and it's a little like stepping back in time. As we live on site and run The Quaich ourselves, we are on hand to help with any of our guests requests. We try to provide everything they might need but if anything is missing we are only too happy to make it happen. Our moto is simple luxury and if there is anything we can do to make your holiday more memorable you only have to ask.

*The Quaich (pronounced "quake", from the Gaelic word "cuach") is a traditional Scottish drinking vessel used to offer a warm welcome to guests and, on their departure, a fond farewell; the tipple of choice usually being a wee dram of whisky!

The time has come for me to close the doors on The Quaich. Since 2009 Mick and I looked after over 1500 guests from all ...
26/10/2021

The time has come for me to close the doors on The Quaich. Since 2009 Mick and I looked after over 1500 guests from all over the world and from all walks of life, making many friends along the way. I’m incredibly proud of what my man and I achieved here on Hvar and we have loved every minute of it. After losing Mick last year my heart has gone out of it and today I signed the final contract on the sale of our beautiful home. I’m returning to the uk to be around my incredible family. Three beautiful grandchildren now! Time for a new adventure!

This month we celebrate 15 years since Mick and I bought The Quaich.  In that time we have built our beautiful home and ...
02/05/2020

This month we celebrate 15 years since Mick and I bought The Quaich. In that time we have built our beautiful home and an oasis of peace and quiet for our guests. The property had not been lived in since the second world war and was a complete ruin. We fell in love with it the moment we arrived to view and had signed the purchase papers by the end of that week. There have been some pretty difficult obstacles to overcome but we have loved every minute of it. We are still here and ready to welcome guests later this summer. We will all need a welcome change at the end of these troubling times so check us out at http://www.quaichexperience.co.uk/welcome-index and imagine a peaceful break here with us on Hvar to recharge and relax.

This has been a very hard time for us and many others who are involved in the tourist industry here on Hvar and all of C...
24/04/2020

This has been a very hard time for us and many others who are involved in the tourist industry here on Hvar and all of Croatia. The way the Government has responded to the virus has been very reassuring and it looks like from next week restrictions will start to lessen. Slowly Slowly! Be assured that Mick and I are still here and looking forward to greeting our friends past, present and future. Hvar will be the perfect location to recoup and recover from the past few months and we would love to welcome you here at The Quaich. So keep in touch and spread the word that we are open for business as soon as we are allowed! This is a very helpful article and explains the steps Croatia has taken to deal with Corona. https://www.chasingthedonkey.com/coronavirus-in-croatia-balkans-covid-19/?fbclid=IwAR1lXIdbFvO5Az5mavJFc7W6E46xmDdztzMr80_cnRsg4uMrzBQ56NoQeug

Coronavirus. A word that has been in the media for a few months. Lots of worrying reports, many good news stories about the healed cases Coronavirus (COVID-2019) cases. But, no denying it continues to spread globally, now including into the Balkans.

What a time we are all having.  Mick and I are keeping our heads down as instructed by the Croatian Government.  Let's h...
27/03/2020

What a time we are all having. Mick and I are keeping our heads down as instructed by the Croatian Government. Let's hope that by the time high summer arrives we will be a little back on track. We would love to see you at The Quaich later in the year, travel permitting, and by then a break in the simple and quiet surroundings of Hvar will be just the medicine needed. This will be a difficult summer for Mick and I but we remain positive. This is a reassuring article about how Croatia are dealing with COVID-19 https://www.total-croatia-news.com/lifestyle/42423-croatia?fbclid=IwAR2xdYz2yzV1LIlnypAgk5G3uk44-OK5XB8lHDNKTH0RQmI-IWz4dVbzsoE

Although some members of the Croatian Civil Protection Headquarters are dissatisfied with citizens' behavior and threatening even harsher measures, judging by the state measures meter in the fight against coronaviruses, Croatia is currently implementing the most rigorous measures in the world.

The most beautiful clear day today in Jelsa on Hvar.  It's time to shake off those winter blues and think about getting ...
28/02/2020

The most beautiful clear day today in Jelsa on Hvar. It's time to shake off those winter blues and think about getting away from all the doom and gloom. Here, at The Quaich, we will help you relax and recover from however the past few months have affected you! We have vacancies throughout the summer so get in touch this weekend. You know you want to!! ...and we promise the snow will have gone by then!

Very Happy New Year to you all from Mick and Chris at www.quaichexperience.co.uk/accommodation. We are getting excited a...
04/01/2020

Very Happy New Year to you all from Mick and Chris at www.quaichexperience.co.uk/accommodation. We are getting excited about the start of the new season on Hvar and would love to see you. We are already taking bookings for the summer. Either come as a group and book out all 3 of our cottages or, if you prefer, as a couple or young family. We will look after your every need and ensure your stay at The Quaich on Hvar is a memorable one!

Luxury holiday accommodation on Hvar, Croatia. Relaxing accommodation with simple luxury - The Quaich Experience is your escape.

25/09/2019

“This place is heaven on earth! We had a great meal the first evening. Chris and Mick are the best hosts you can imagine. The house was very cosy and romantic. Such a quiet place, not far from the sea and cute little towns. We would definately come back!!!”

What a wonderful way to end the season. Had some really great guests as ever but time to wind down now and for Mick and I to enjoy the autumn on beautiful Hvar.

This week saw the reopening in Hvar Town, of the oldest theatre in Europe dating back to 1612. Just one of the many attr...
02/05/2019

This week saw the reopening in Hvar Town, of the oldest theatre in Europe dating back to 1612. Just one of the many attractions on Hvar. Come see us at The Quaich!

Forget Brexit - bring a little sunshine into your lives and book your summer break here with us at http://www.quaichexpe...
10/04/2019

Forget Brexit - bring a little sunshine into your lives and book your summer break here with us at http://www.quaichexperience.co.uk/accommodation-index We still have vacancies but don't leave it too late!

The Quaich Experience is nestled in the winding back streets of peaceful Vrbanj village. The main building is our home and right next door are the three self-contained cottages, Jedan, Dva and Tri.

24/12/2018

Happy Christmas to all our friends from Mick and Chris at The Quaich. Taking bookings for next summer - go on - you know you want to!!

Mick and I are Superhosts!!!!!
13/07/2018

Mick and I are Superhosts!!!!!

World Cup fever on Hvar
16/06/2018

World Cup fever on Hvar

First picnic and early signs of Spring on Hvar
18/02/2018

First picnic and early signs of Spring on Hvar

Looking for your next summer break - look no further than The Quaich on Hvar - so much to enjoy and we are filling up fa...
21/01/2018

Looking for your next summer break - look no further than The Quaich on Hvar - so much to enjoy and we are filling up fast this year. So.....what are you waiting for https://vimeo.com/251864588?ref=fb-share&1

This is "Jelsa, Hvar, summer2017" by Domagoj Skelin on Vimeo, the home for high quality videos and the people who love them.

I have just been reading this blog written by a recent visitor -AGypsyGene -  to the island of Hvar and it's so good I w...
11/12/2017

I have just been reading this blog written by a recent visitor -
AGypsyGene - to the island of Hvar and it's so good I want to share - so many great reasons to visit us here at http://www.quaichexperience.co.uk/the-island/

A month ago what I knew about the island of Hvar could fit into a rakija shot glass. Hoards of revelers ferry here in July and August to party, dance, see and, mostly, be in scene. Celebrities from Beyonce to Ellen and Portia have been spotted here. The largest city, Hvar Town, is Croatia’s epicenter of ultra-hip. That’s it, what I knew.
The party island perception has served to keep us away, even after spending nearly nine months, here and there, traveling around the country. So when a housesit assignment came up in the village of Stari Grad, we could have easily shrugged it off. We had recently passed on a sit in Italy’s famed Puglia region and another in Spanish hot spot Majorca. Neither opportunity felt like us.
But, there was something about the Hvar listing. We could see ourselves living in the place described. Smack in the middle of the historic center’s tangle of stone buildings. A stylishly designed BnB (closed to guests in offseason). Rooftop terrace overlooking the town's red tile roofs. A couple of snuggly cats and new kitten. We were intrigued and began researching. Two clicks and we discovered Hvar is Croatia’s sunniest spot and ripe with vineyards and cycling trails, enough goodness to overcome any apprehensions.
We’ve been living here three weeks now and have hardly experienced a down moment. We’ve traversed cycling and running routes through vineyards and olive groves and skirting the Adriatic’s cool blue waters. We’ve experienced the joys and toils of harvest, volunteering for short spurts in a winery and for olive harvest. We’ve made friends, locals and other travelers alike. We even hosted a dinner party just ten days after arriving, with guests from Croatia, England, Italy, and the U.S. - that’s how easy it’s been to plug into life on Hvar.
Along the way, we’ve learned a few things about the island’s culture and people, Mediterranean history and wine production.
Stari Grad moves to its own rhythm.
Hvar Town and Stari Grad are very different towns. Everyone says Stari Grad, which means “Old Town,” is more relaxed and low key, even in August. Now, in slow season, it feels a world apart from its bigger, glitzier sister down the road. The town was founded in 384 BC when Greek settlers looking for a better life, (like every immigrant before and since), sailed into port. Where is Croatia’s oldest settlement? You guessed it, Stari Grad! Established the same year Aristotle was born. How about that bit of trivia?
Religion and fishing go together like sardines and olive oil.
Like any Mediterranean outpost worth its alter carvings, Stari Grad is home to ornately-designed churches and dominating bell towers, but a postcard-sized church by the sea is the most captivating religious site. The novelty and beauty of the Church of St. Jerolim's is that its front door opens to the sea, sending fishermen off with a prayer of calm waters and welcoming boats home with hopes of fresh-catch-loaded nets.
Ancient farming plots provide a living window into history.
Generations of farmers have worked the island's plain - known as the Adriatic's most fertile patch of ground - basically unchanged since first designed by Greek settlers in the 4th century BC. Thankfully, UNESCO has recognized the Stari Grad Plain for it’s cultural and historical importance, ensuring its preservation for future generations too. The best way to see it is on foot to grasp the simple genius of the equally-sized plots constructed using stone walls and pathways. The Plain is dotted by informative signage, in Croatia and English, explaining the historic significance.
Dining in a restaurant becomes an intimate affair.
The countdown began almost as soon as we arrived. Almost every restaurant owner or shopkeeper we encountered said something like, “6 more days, then we’re closed until Spring!” Yet even in late November, people still have to eat, so a handful of restaurants remain open year-round. In Stari Grad, that means one: Damira Restaurant. A few other places open for one night per week, meaning these family-operated places aren’t competing against each other for winter’s small business but also ensuring there’s somewhere for everyone to go.
We were told to consult the newspaper to see which restaurants were open which nights. Hilariously, we can’t be bothered. If we’re going to dinner, we’re going to Damira. No fuss, no decisions. Oh, and it helps that the food is amazing and staff is engaging. We have arrived to the point where we don’t look at the menu - in fact, they no longer offer us one - we just say, “What should I have tonight?” and the experts decide what to bring.
An astonishing bounty grows here.
While spending a few hours with a family of farmers and restauranteurs, I began imagining a Portlandia skit. For everything we tasted, discussed, or even looked in the direction of, someone said, “I made/grew/created that.” Those sugar-coated almonds? Yep, we harvested the nuts and made the sugar. That delicious goat cheese garnished with olive oil and oregano? Yep, our goats, olives, and herbs. The range and quality of of foods, wines, oils, and herbs produced on Hvar is mind-boggling and inspiring.
Many families produce their own wine and rajika, everyone grows organic veggies from onions and artichokes to asparagus and everyone has a brother who’s a fisherman or lavender grower. Every aunt is a cheese-maker and sister is a baker. You eat and drink really well here.
Buying fresh catch is cultural immersion at its tastiest.
Almost every clear afternoon, fishing boats pull into the harbor and within minutes are surrounded by an eager swarm of locals. In observing the ritual for the first week, we wondered how locals knew when to be there, the boats seemed to arrive at random. Then a local told us that "his go-to fisherman," a cousin, would call on the way into port with a report of the haul, and word soon spread of the catch and ETA. While we haven't developed a go-to guy (at least not yet,) we hit perfect timing one day and queued for our shot at the boat’s bounty. After being elbowed out of the way by a few old ladies, we pointed and stuttered as the fishermen did his best to understand what and how much we wanted. Walking away with a smelly bag of sardines felt like small victory.
It’s easy to get in on the action.
If visiting during late October or November, Hvar offers a different kind of fun in the sun - olive harvest! Everyone has a friend with trees, so ask around for volunteer opportunities or tours. Being in the groves with a local family picking olives then sharing an alfresco lunch has been one the highlights of our time here. Participating in this centuries-old tradition, makes savoring the island’s award-winning olive oil even more delicious.
The island is a cycling and running lover’s dream.
You can cycle, run, or walk for kilometers along windy, view-studded roads with hardly a car in sight - in off season. Check out the HvarLife shop at the ferry port where our friend Massimo keeps an impressive fleet of rental bikes, plus leads cycling tours all over the island. For cyclists, Matt's recommended route is a 50-km ride from Stari Grad along what's known as the "Old Road" to Hvar through the picturesque villages of Velo Grablje and Malo Grablje and waves of lavender fields and vineyards.
My favorite running route is an eleven kilometer stretch straight through Stari Grad Plain to the lovely village of Vbroska, continuing on along the waterfront to another stunning village, Jelsa. Buses run on schedule so it's easy to hop one for the return to SG.
Local markets are the essence of practical.
Just about every village in Europe holds some type of outdoor market, usually weekly. For locals, these markets are not just a place to get goods, they also serve as social events and sources of community pride. Visitors get a peek into what the community produces and values.
A village's market tells you a good deal about the place and people. In Stari Grad, there’s the one-stop shop, aka veggie/meat/cheese/olive oil/fruit van that rolls into town and parks near the bus stop every Friday. Who needs a grocery store, this guy has it all!
Then, from a distance one day, we spotted what looked like clothing racks in a town plaza. Excited to check out Hvar fashions, I beelined and soon realized every item was camo-covered. It seems we had stumbled upon a hunting gear pop-up, complete with knives, camp lights, and other manly gear. The very next day that space was occupied by, what I’ll dub, as a fire pop-up. Think: fireplace tools, axes, screens, and baskets. Wacky and wonderful practicality.
The island produces incredible wines.
Grapes have been cultivated and wine produced on Hvar since the Greeks first settled here (those Greeks thought of everything!). Today, it’s said that every family makes wine, which explains the range and quality spectrum. Be sure to sample the celebrated indigenous grape, Plavac Mali, from house wine varieties to the island's higher end wineries.
Tomic Winery in Jelsa offers a lovely introduction with private tastings in their cellar. Dig deeper with a visit to Ahearne Winery. Jo Ahearne is the only master of wine producing in Croatia and she has created four of the most distinctive wines we've ever had the pleasure of tasting. Try the rose, named after her mother, Rosina, and the earthy and vibrant white, named Wild Skins.
Lavendar is in the air.
Hvar’s climate, soil, and endless sunshine make the island an ideal spot for growing lavender plants too (as if grapes and olives weren’t enough!) Even though harvest takes place around June, the product is omnipresent year-round thanks to dried arrangements, oils, candles, and any other concoction dreamed up. Oh, and speaking of dreams…we sleep really good here.

Dani u Vali (days in the valley) festival in Starigrad
16/09/2017

Dani u Vali (days in the valley) festival in Starigrad

Three happy campers and the pool boy (Mick)  We're now coming to the end of another fantastic season at The Quaich.  Had...
15/09/2017

Three happy campers and the pool boy (Mick) We're now coming to the end of another fantastic season at The Quaich. Had several return guests, Dani and Peter and Bjorn and Sandra and their gorgeous little girls. Hope to see you again next summer! Met some super new guests too this year. If you still have not been to visit Mick and I then make it happen next year!!!!

The very different faces of Hvar Island.  Lots of choice then return to your cottage at The Quaich to relax and enjoy th...
28/07/2017

The very different faces of Hvar Island. Lots of choice then return to your cottage at The Quaich to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet!

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21462 Vrbanj
Hvar
21462

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