There is Croatia from postcards and there is another one, which most people never see. In the Behind the Postcards series, we visit and write about places that are off the main tourist routes, and they shouldn’t be. We talk to people who live in these places keep and who know what does he knowwhether to be good at homerank, which was also confirmed by the prestilocal host Croatian touristsCzech communities. Through five reportsI want to show We will say that Croatia is a country that offers a lotmore than seas and lakes, and the foundation of everything is – people.
Lots of twists and turns, and even more beautiful nature. This is the way to briefly describe the road to the village of Javor, which we visited last week. We headed to a village with only a few inhabitants to visit a holiday home that managed to revive this small place. As soon as we arrived in the huge yard filled with freshly cut grass, we noticed that the air was extremely pleasant and fresh, unlike in the cities. The freshness of the air was soon intertwined with the smell of homemade strudel and bread, with which the charming owners of Javor Holiday House welcomed us. Shadow and Branko Radovanić.
They tell us that the plan for this stone and wooden house was initially modest because the owners wanted to restore it and use it as a holiday home.
– I inherited this house from my uncle, but no one has dealt with it for almost 60 years. We didn’t want it to fall into disrepair, so we started renovating it for our own needs – recalls Branko, who lives in Jastrebarski with his wife and children.
From what was supposed to be a small family project, a story was born that has been going on for almost three years. The instinct to preserve something of value and not let the family heirloom go to waste led them to something they could not even dream of in the beginning.
Senka’s and Branko’s children were also involved in the renovation of the house, which lasted about four years. Martin and Matthiaswho used every free moment to participate in the renovation.
– We started from scratch. There was no electricity, no water, nothing, the renovation and arrangement took about four years – says Senka.
Many would see such a large plot of land as an opportunity for thorough modernization and demolish the old house and build a completely new and modern holiday home, but that was out of the question for Radovanić. The only condition in the renovation was that the house should not lose its original appearance, which turned out to be excellent, because it is precisely to this that they owe a huge part of their success today.
– We didn’t want to touch this stone and wood, and it turned out that the guests love it, because it is unique. They have the feeling that they are in a special place – says Senka.
The walls of this house thus remained intact, solid and authentic. The interior of the house also has that old touch, combined with modern elements, mostly in the bathroom. However, we were most impressed by the fireplace on the ground floor of the house, and it turned out that we were not the only ones.
– Guests often say that they turned the sofa to look at the fireplace and not at the TV. He creates a special atmosphere – says Senka.
The owners of Javor Holiday House always try to show that they care about their guests. So, for example, they decorated the room of a couple from Čakovec, who came on their honeymoon, with balloons. The guests, who came from Pula for the winter, were provided with sledges, so that the children, who had never seen snow before, could enjoy a real winter idyll.
– People really feel when you care, then they are even more satisfied and often come back – Senka tells us.
This instinct for care, local approach and sincere warmth was also recognized by experts, so this holiday home also carries the Local Host label, for exceptional hosts who live tourism, not just perform it.
– We were surprised when we received this designation, and at the same time very happy. This is another confirmation that our efforts are appreciated, but also an incentive to continue even better – say Radovanići.
The Radovanić family made the beds in the two upstairs bedrooms and some of the furniture themselves. They used the beams from the demolished hayloft to integrate a little more of themselves into the story of this house and allowed their guests to enjoy handmade furniture. The interior of the house is both old and fresh, and guests often say that it is even more beautiful than in the pictures, which we absolutely agree with.
– We did not expect that people would appreciate our effort to keep everything as close as possible to the original look – say Radovanići.
Because of the comfort of the bed, we truly rested after a long time. There was no need for an alarm in the morning because the rays of the sun coming in through the small window and the singing of the birds did the job effortlessly.
How did it all begin?
However, we might not have heard anything about this wonderful family story imbued with work, effort and patience if it hadn’t been for the cyclists. Namely, Žumberak is a paradise for fans of pedaling, and they were the first to show interest in renting this house, while it was not yet an option.
– We didn’t think of getting involved in such a thing, but after some time we still wanted to try to revive the house, and therefore the whole village – they recall.
After word got out that the Radovan family come to Javor every weekend and restore the old family house, the owners of the surrounding houses decided to take care of the legacy.
– Neighbors can tell us that we motivated them to visit their village at least sometimes, and mow the grass around the houses, so they don’t look neglected – Senka and Branko tell us.
Although they have been actively renting for almost three years, they still remember that they welcomed their first guests with a mixture of excitement and uneasiness.
– It was strange for us to leave someone in the house just like that, but now it is not a problem for us. Especially because whenever we come to pick up the keys, we hear the direct impressions of the guests, which are really positive – say Radovanići.
Every praise from the guests is an additional sign that they have done something that is really worth it, and it will be worth it. Although someone in their place would have already relaxed and thought that there was no need for further improvement of the accommodation, the Radovanićs constantly come up with new ways to provide their guests with an even better experience. In one such thinking, the idea for a wooden hot tub was born.
– We thought about what we could offer in summer and winter, so that people would find it pleasant and interesting. We did a little research with the children and decided on a wooden one hot tub – they say.
– We had guests from Slovenia, who said that they were there just for the sake of it hot tub decided on our accommodation, people really like it – adds Senka.
In winter, the bathing experience is especially magical. Guests often get out of the hot water straight into the snow and back again, which is a unique experience.
Except wooden hot tub for swimming, Javor Holiday House has another asset that sets it apart from other holiday houses, and that is an open-air cinema.
The outdoor cinema is really something that elevates this accommodation to a higher level and provides an additional dose of relaxation and rest from worries. The incredibly beautiful nature that surrounds you and the solar lamps that create a romantic atmosphere are ideal for enjoying your favorite movie, without the traffic noise that could disturb this idyll.
Household with a soul
In addition to all of the above, Javor Holiday House stands out the most for its owner’s hospitality and openness. Senka and Branko are not hosts who leave the key under the doormat and never come into contact with the guests. They are there to show you the trails, recommend restaurants, explain where each waterfall is, and guide you to better roads.
– It often happens that guests come without any plan. We always talk to them, direct them to the Sopot waterfall, the Slapnica valley, we even have a leaflet ready with the attractions of Žumberka, so they know they have a choice. However, they often tell us that in the end they just enjoyed the house and didn’t go anywhere, which is especially nice to us – say the Radovanići.
Guests from four corners of the world
Javor Holiday House is not only reserved for local guests. They are often visited by the Swiss, the French, guests from Ukraine, Poland, the Czech Republic, and even from Canada. Some visitors became regulars, and perhaps the most interesting thing is that some guests from France came for the dog show in Zagreb and traveled from Javor to Zagreb every day for seven days.
Although the biggest wave of guests comes in the summer, Javor is not a seasonal accommodation, so it attracts its audience in the winter. Most often, these are people who run away from the noise of the holidays and want their dose of peace.
The house that stood empty for more than half a century has a new life, all because the Radovanić family did not give up their heritage. However, Javor is not only a holiday home, but also a starting point for the entire region that Croatia sometimes forgets on its tourist map. Žumberak is a nature park, which hides numerous attractions, the Sopot waterfall, Slapnica, the paths of Knežev, Sveta Gera, which are really worth visiting and, after enjoying the nature, returning to the superb ambience of the Javor Holiday House.
Thanks to the persistence of one family, visitors will have the opportunity to feel a touch of the old life in Žumberak, taste Mrs. Senka’s exquisite strudel and see how much faith in one’s own work is worth.
Sponsored content was created in cooperation with Native Ad Studio Hanza Media and Croatian Tourist Board.
