A story of heritage, authentic hospitality and the beauty of rural Dalmatia.
Some places are built to impress. Others are built to be remembered.
Villa Grandfather’s Courtyard is one of those places.
Nestled in the peaceful village of Stankovci, in the heart of Ravni Kotari—the beautiful rural hinterland of Zadar County, close to the border with Šibenik-Knin County—our villa tells a story that began more than 150 years ago.
The old stone house, dating back to 1880, had been standing quietly for generations before our family decided to restore it with one goal in mind: to preserve its authentic character while creating a place where guests could experience the true spirit of Dalmatia.
Today, Villa Grandfather’s Courtyard is much more than a holiday home.
It is a place where history, tradition and modern comfort come together.
Surrounded by olive groves, Mediterranean landscapes and the peaceful countryside of Ravni Kotari, guests can enjoy complete privacy while remaining just a short drive from the Adriatic coast, national parks, historic towns and some of Croatia’s most beautiful beaches.
More than accommodation
From the very beginning, we wanted our guests to experience something that cannot be found in a brochure.
We welcome every guest personally and love sharing recommendations for hidden beaches, local wineries, family-run restaurants, traditional products and unforgettable places that only locals know.
Many guests arrive as visitors but leave as friends, returning year after year to experience the warmth of Dalmatian hospitality once again.
Living the Local Host philosophy
We are proud to embrace the values of Croatia’s Local Host initiative, which celebrates authentic hospitality, local traditions and meaningful connections between hosts and guests.
For us, hospitality means much more than providing accommodation.
It means sharing our way of life.
It means introducing guests to the flavours, traditions and stories of Ravni Kotari and helping them discover a quieter, more authentic side of Croatia.
A place where memories are made
Whether it is an early morning by the pool, dinner beneath the stars, fresh produce from the garden or simply the silence of the countryside, we believe that the most meaningful travel memories are created through simple, authentic moments.
This philosophy continues to inspire everything we do.
We look forward to welcoming every guest and sharing a small part of the Croatia we are proud to call home.
Recognised for Authentic Hospitality
We are delighted to share that Villa Grandfather’s Courtyard and our host, Brankica Dubravica, have been featured in Slobodna Dalmacija, one of Croatia’s leading daily newspapers, in an article celebrating authentic Croatian hospitality and the Local Host philosophy.
The feature tells the story of the restoration of our 150-year-old stone house, our family’s commitment to preserving local heritage, and our passion for welcoming guests from around the world with genuine Dalmatian hospitality.
We are truly honoured that our journey has been recognised and grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way—especially our wonderful guests, who continue to inspire everything we do.
If you would like to learn more about our story, we invite you to read the full feature published by Slobodna Dalmacija.
📖 Read the full article here:
Read the full article in Slobodna Dalmacija