The journal
Stories, Insights, and Retreats from Vis Island.
“Welcome to The Journal, your window into the magic of Vis Island and the transformative experiences we create. Discover upcoming retreats, insider tips, and stories that inspire you to embrace the art of slow living.”
STARTIVIS Founders.
How Pomalo Defines the Magic of Vis Island
More than just a phrase, pomalo is a way of life on Vis Island, shaping its rhythm, people, and charm. It’s an invitation to slow down, be present, and savor life’s simplest pleasures—whether sipping local wine at sunset or chatting with a fisherman at the port.
The Essence of Pomalo
On Vis, time stretches, and stress fades. Shops open when ready, meals are unrushed, and schedules follow the natural flow of the day. In contrast to the fast-paced modern world, pomalo is what makes the island so enchanting.
Pomalo in Culture
From patient fishermen to winemakers who respect nature’s pace, Vis embodies pomalo in its traditions. Even its timeless stone houses whisper a story of resilience, where beauty is found in patience and preservation.
Experiencing Pomalo with Us
The best moments on Vis aren’t planned—but they are curated with care. A spontaneous swim, a slow meal at a hidden konoba, or a peaceful hike through olive groves—these are the true gifts of the island, and we are here to help you experience them effortlessly. At STARTINVIS Travel, we create tailored journeys that embrace pomalo, allowing you to truly connect with the island’s soul.
Preserving Pomalo
As tourism grows, protecting Vis’s pomalo spirit is essential. By choosing authentic, mindful experiences, travelers play a role in preserving the island’s timeless charm. We are passionate about sharing Vis sustainably, ensuring its magic endures for generations.
Conclusion
Vis isn’t just a destination; it’s an invitation to live fully and slowly. Let pomalo be your guide—and let us be your hosts in discovering the island’s most meaningful moments. Join us, and experience Vis the way it’s meant to be.
Vis in Winter and Spring: A Time for Stillness, Renewal, and Hidden Beauty
There is something magical about Vis in the quieter seasons. As the summer crowds disappear, the island slows down, revealing a more intimate, raw, and deeply authentic side of itself. While many think of Vis as a sun-soaked summer retreat, those who experience it in winter and early spring know its true essence—untouched landscapes, crisp sea air, and the peaceful rhythm of island life.
Winter: A Time for Reflection and Reconnection
Winter on Vis is all about stillness. The Adriatic takes on a darker, more dramatic hue, and the gentle lull of the waves replaces the hum of summer activity. Life on the island settles into a slower, more intentional pace. It’s the season of fireside gatherings, long walks along deserted beaches, and reconnecting with what truly matters.
For those who crave solitude and deep inspiration, this is the time to visit. The absence of distractions allows for clarity of thought, making winter the perfect season for writing, creating, or simply resetting. Mornings start with the scent of wood-burning fireplaces and the comforting aroma of fresh coffee and tea, setting the tone for slow, intentional days. Afternoons invite quiet explorations through sleepy villages, where time seems to stand still, and evenings are best spent enjoying a glass of local Plavac wine and a good meal, embracing the warmth of community and the unhurried rhythm of island life.
Spring: A Season of Awakening
Then, as if overnight, the island begins to stir. Spring in Vis is a breathtaking transformation—wildflowers paint the hillsides, citrus trees bloom with intoxicating fragrance, and the sea softens, inviting the first brave swimmers. It’s a time of renewal, movement, and quiet excitement, as nature awakens and the island prepares for the warmer months ahead.
Spring is the best time for hiking, with trails leading through lush vineyards and ancient olive groves, accompanied by the sounds of birds returning. The fields begin to fill with fresh greens, wild asparagus, and aromatic herbs, reminding us that the land is bursting back to life. This is also the season of new beginnings, making it a perfect time for retreats focused on wellness, creativity, and transformation.
Off-Season Retreats with STARTINVIS
At STARTINVIS, we embrace the beauty of Vis in its quieter months by organizing off-season retreats that offer a deeper connection to the island. Our carefully curated experiences guide you through rejuvenating activities—from yoga at sunrise and creative workshops to foraging walks and culinary discoveries—all while exploring the island’s hidden gems and meeting members of the local community.
These retreats are designed not just as an escape, but as a journey into slow, intentional living, where every moment is an opportunity to reconnect with nature, creativity, and yourself.
Why Visit Vis in the Off-Season?
For those seeking authenticity, inspiration, and space to breathe, winter and spring are the island’s best-kept secrets. This is when Vis reveals itself not just as a destination, but as a place to pause, reflect, and reconnect—with nature, with creativity, and with oneself.
Whether you come in the quiet hush of winter or the vibrant rebirth of spring, Vis in the off-season offers something rare: a chance to experience the island as it truly is—wild, soulful, and endlessly inspiring.
Sustainable Travel: Preserving the Beauty of Vis for Generations to Come
Travel has the power to transform—not just the traveler, but also the places and communities we visit. However, as global tourism grows, so does its impact. Without mindfulness, destinations can suffer from over-tourism, environmental degradation, and the loss of local culture. At STARTINVIS, we believe in a different kind of travel—one that nurtures rather than exploits, that gives back rather than takes away. This is the foundation of our commitment to sustainable and responsible tourism.
Why Sustainability Matters in Travel
Sustainable travel goes beyond reducing waste or choosing eco-friendly products—it’s about honoring a place, its people, and its traditions. It means traveling in a way that supports local economies, protects natural resources, and ensures that the cultural and environmental integrity of a destination remains intact for future generations.
Vis Island, with its pristine nature, rich history, and small local communities, is a place that requires thoughtful stewardship. As a relatively untouched gem of the Adriatic, it offers a unique opportunity to experience authentic island life—but only if we respect and preserve its delicate balance.
STARTINVIS & Responsible Tourism: Our Approach
At STARTINVIS, we integrate sustainable practices into every experience we create, ensuring that our retreats and travel experiences contribute positively to Vis. Here’s how:
1. Supporting Local Communities
We collaborate with local artisans, farmers, winemakers, and family-run businesses, ensuring that tourism directly benefits the people of Vis. From vineyard dinners to hands-on workshops with local craftspeople, we create opportunities for travelers to engage meaningfully with the island’s residents.
2. Embracing Slow Travel
Rather than rushing through a checklist of attractions, we encourage immersive experiences that allow travelers to truly connect with the island. Whether it’s enjoying a long meal sourced from local ingredients, participating in traditional fishing practices, or simply taking time to wander through Vis’s historic stone villages, we emphasize depth over speed.
3. Making Conscious Accommodation Choices
While eco-friendly accommodations with renewable energy sources are not yet widely available on Vis, we carefully select small, locally owned accommodations that prioritize sustainability in other ways—whether through energy-efficient practices, reducing single-use plastics, or sourcing local materials. By choosing these partners, we support businesses that align with our values and encourage the future growth of responsible tourism on the island.
4. Preserving Nature & Cultural Heritage
Vis is home to crystal-clear waters, ancient olive groves, and protected landscapes. Our retreats integrate outdoor activities that celebrate, rather than disrupt, nature—such as hiking, sailing, and foraging for wild herbs. We also guide our guests in respecting local customs and traditions, ensuring that cultural heritage remains alive and valued.
5. Encouraging Mindful Consumption
Food is a vital part of any journey, and we believe in celebrating seasonal, locally sourced cuisine. Our culinary experiences highlight fresh, Mediterranean ingredients, often straight from local farms, reducing the environmental footprint of imported goods while supporting sustainable farming.
A Call to Travelers: Leave a Positive Impact
Sustainable travel isn’t just about the choices we make as hosts—it’s about the mindset we bring as travelers. At STARTINVIS, we invite guests to travel with awareness, curiosity, and respect. When we step into a new place, we have the power to either leave a burden or leave a gift. By choosing conscious, responsible tourism, we ensure that Vis remains the unspoiled, magical island that first captured our hearts.
So as you plan your next journey, we encourage you to ask: How can my travel experience contribute, rather than consume? Because when we travel with purpose, we create memories that don’t just enrich our own lives, but also the places we visit.
Family Vacations in Vis: A Place Where Everyone Finds Their Magic
The sun warms your skin, the salty breeze carries the scent of the sea, and for a moment, everything feels perfect—until a familiar little voice breaks the spell: “I’m bored!”
We get it. We are three women, two of us mothers, and travelers who have learned the secret to truly memorable family vacations. Two of us live on Vis with our families, so we know firsthand the joys (and challenges) of traveling with kids. And if there’s one thing we’ve learned, it’s that the key is balance—time to relax, time to explore, and experiences that create lasting memories.
And that’s why Vis is the perfect destination for families.
A Family-Friendly Island in Croatia
Vis is one of Croatia’s best islands for family vacations—a safe, child-friendly paradise where kids can explore freely and parents can relax, knowing they’re in one of the country’s most peaceful destinations.
Here, there’s no rush, no crowds—just the sound of the sea and the slow rhythm of island life. It’s the perfect place for families who want to disconnect from the stress of everyday life and reconnect with each other.
But let’s be honest—a beautiful beach alone won’t keep the little ones entertained for long. Kids crave adventure, stories, and experiences that spark their imagination. That’s why at STARTINVIS Travel, we’ve curated unique family-friendly activities designed to bring joy, excitement, and relaxation to every member of the family.
Beyond the Beach: Fun & Unique Things to Do in Vis with Kids
Sure, lounging all day on the beach with a book sounds like paradise for parents, but… we all know that won’t last long before the kids come running with their inevitable “I’m bored!”
To make sure that doesn’t happen, we’ve designed experiences that allow each family member to discover their own special moment on Vis:
Outdoor Art Workshops – Let your kids explore their creativity in a beautiful garden setting. Guided by the picturesque landscapes of Vis, they’ll paint, craft, and express themselves freely—whether capturing the island’s colors on canvas or creating nature-inspired art through a fun, guided freestyle session.
Sailing & Family Boat Adventures – Become explorers of the Adriatic, discovering hidden coves and swimming in crystal-clear waters.
Island Biking Excursions – Ride through vineyards, olive groves, and picturesque villages for an active and scenic way to explore Vis.
Drumming & Rhythm Workshops – A fun and energetic way for kids (and parents!) to connect through music.
Cooking Classes for Families – Learn to make traditional Croatian dishes together with a local family , using fresh local ingredients.
Farm Life & Organic Gardening – Experience rural island life by visiting a local farm, where kids can feed animals, pick fresh vegetables, and learn about sustainable farming.
Quad Adventures for Thrill-Seekers – For the more adventurous families, exploring the island on a quad is an unforgettable experience.
Fishing with Local Fishermen – A hands-on, authentic way to experience island life and maybe even catch your own dinner.
Family Hiking & Nature Trails – Walk through vineyards, forests, and breathtaking cliffs while discovering the island’s legends and hidden spots.
Tailor-Made Family Vacations in Croatia
At STARTINVIS Travel, we don’t believe in one-size-fits-all vacations. We believe in personalized, meaningful and sustainable travel experiences that create memories to last a lifetime. We design every trip to fit your family’s unique rhythm—because every family is different, and every vacation should be too.
📩 Want to create lifelong memories with your family in Croatia? Let us craft the perfect vacation for you. Contact us today, and let’s turn your family trip to Vis into an unforgettable adventure!
