The Secret of Mediterranean Youth: What Dalmatia Knows About Vitality

Let’s start with the obvious. Olive oil isn’t just an ingredient here, it’s tradition, medicine, memory. It’s not uncommon for Dalmatian families to still harvest their own olives, pressing them into peppery, green-gold oil that ends up on everything from fresh bread to grilled fish. Rich in antioxidants and healthy fats, it has been part of everyday life for generations. It’s simple, essential, and always on the table.

Then there’s the food: simple, seasonal, and full of purpose. Fatty fish like sardines and mackerel, often caught the same morning they’re served, are rich in omega-3s and commonly enjoyed with a glass of white wine. Figs, picked ripe from the tree, are sweet and full of fibre. Meals are made from scratch. People eat together, talk, and take their time. That rhythm is part of what keeps life here balanced.

Dalmatia even has a word for a certain kind of rest: fjaka. It describes a state of calm where you do only what really needs to be done. It’s not laziness. It’s knowing when to stop. Long coffee breaks, slow mornings, and a strong sense of community all contribute to a lifestyle where rest is respected and stress rarely takes centre stage.

What makes Dalmatia truly unique is how naturally movement fits into daily life. In places like Makarska, you can walk from the coast into the foothills of Biokovo in a single afternoon. The air is clean, the light soft, and the scenery layered with pine trees, stone paths and sea views. Whether you're walking a trail or just strolling along the water, being outside here feels easy and grounding.

If you're thinking about stepping back from your usual rushed pace, Makarska is a good place to start. It’s not about chasing youth, but living in a way that supports it—through rest, nourishment and presence.

From 10 to 12 October 2025, Aminess Laurel Khalani Hotel will host a weekend focused on balance, care and wellbeing. The programme includes a facial cleansing treatment, gentle morning movement, and one-on-one consultations with Dr. Ljiljana Hlupić, a specialist in aesthetic and anti-aging medicine. Guests will stay two nights in a room of their choice, enjoy buffet-style meals, and have full access to the hotel’s indoor pool, whirlpool, fitness studio, and Spa Zone, which includes several types of saunas and quiet spaces for rest, tea and fruit.

It's a chance to recharge, move gently, and take time for yourself.

Book your Anti-Age Wellness Weekend here.