We often tell our guests that our story didn’t start on dry land. It started somewhere in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, around the Bermuda Triangle.
Before we met, my life was a whirlwind of moving, volunteering, and working across different countries. I was a traveler at heart, always looking for the next destination. Eventually, that journey led me to work in Shore Excursions on a cruise ship. That is where I met my husband—a marine engineer from Zadar who had spent every childhood summer and weekend on the quiet island of Iž. Against all odds, the ocean brought our two completely different worlds together.
When it came time to build a future, we knew we wanted to anchor ourselves somewhere special. For him, Iž was home. For me, after years of moving around the globe, it was the first place that made me want to truly stop and stay.
We found a welcoming house with three apartments and saw the perfect opportunity to build a life here through tourism. We named it Il Dono Del Mare—The Gift of the Sea. It is a tribute to the ocean that brought us together, and a nod to the years of hard work on the waves that allowed us to afford this home.
Right now, we are in a transition phase. My husband still works at sea for part of the year, but our plan in just a few years is to both be here on Island Iž full-time, hosting together.
We didn’t build this place to be a rigid, fancy resort. Because of my travels, I know what makes a place feel like home, and we wanted to create a peaceful sanctuary. When you stay here, we want you to kick off your shoes, breathe in the salty air, and experience the same deep relaxation that made us fall in love with this island.
Welcome to our gift from the sea. We hope it feels like home to you, too.