Although it is perfectly lovely inside the house, it is of course even more lovely outside because the surroundings could not be more beautiful. With the sea straight in front of us, and the craggy woods all around, there is the constant sound of birdsong in the spring and autumn,  and the crickets during the summer. The Mediterranean’s special scents of rosemary, sage, basil and oregano all growing wild, fill the air and the gentle lapping sea provides a constant background.  As the sun goes down, the silence and stillness are very magical and sunsets are often spectacular.

The main veranda overlooking the sea, has a wooden table and matching chairs to seat 12.   Two old grapevines growing over the top of the veranda provide welcome shade and also fruit prolifically. There is also a traditional hand built barbecue/oven  in an alcove on the veranda.

On the other side of the house by the main door there is a patio under the fig tree (whose delicious figs ripen by mid-august) and here there is an outside shower warmed by the sun which is very handy when coming back from the seafront.  There is also a garage terrace which is useful play area for children who need a flat area for games.

With so much sunshine in Hvar, it is obvious that most of the time will be spent outside the house and the various patios, verandas, balconies and terraces are perfect for different activities and count as an extension of the house.  There is no doubt that meals eaten outside on the veranda from breakfast to late night dinners and barbeques are somehow more memorable given the magical atmosphere. Apart from a small holiday cottage below us, we are the only house in the bay, and the nearest cluster of houses is 2 kms away in the next bay or 4 kms away in the village up above.

Twenty yards from the villa is a mooring area for boats, and sun loungers can be positioned here to catch the last of the afternoon sunshine while the pebble beach may be the choice for children. Below the veranda is a large garage storing the sun loungers, and we have left for guests' use, if wanted, snorkeling equipment, rubber dinghy, body surf board, and various fishing nets and a rod (fishing tackle shop in Hvar).