Little paradise
Staying in the atmosphere of Malo More, today I am going to write to you about a beautiful place that was our very first stop on Pelješac—and one we returned to several times during our subsequent visits to the Peninsula. It is one of those places created by someone who truly loves their own region.
Apartments Šime*, because that's the place I'm talking about, is run by Renata Špaleta, who pours her whole heart into it so that staying and relaxing here becomes an unforgettable experience for her guests.
There are three fully equipped and air-conditioned apartments at your disposal. We have had the opportunity to stay in each one of them, so I can fully vouch for everything I am writing. Each apartment has its own very large terrace with a view of the sea, the islets, the mountains of mainland Croatia, and the Pelješac Bridge. Because there are no other buildings between you and this gorgeous "scenery" (the house is in the first and only row to the sea in this spot), you have these views all to yourself, at any time of day or night. The azure water, olive trees, herbs, rosemary bushes, flowers, cicadas, butterflies, and thrush nightingales (luscinia megarhynchos), whose beautiful song echoes from the nearby bushes and olive groves. And at night—a sky full of stars, with the beautifully illuminated bridge in the distance.
I have to admit, these terraces truly make all the difference. Morning coffee with a view like this is absolutely phenomenal. It allows you to start your day in the local "polako" rhythm, relaxing both mind and body. A good book pairs wonderfully with such a view. And how about a joint breakfast at the table on the terrace? Afterward, you can walk down to the seashore, dive into the warm water, or go paddleboarding on one of the SUPs available on-site. As for the evening dinner—seafood or grilled fish accompanied by a fine local wine is pure poetry. And that is precisely the strongest point of this place: the location. It is just a few steps from the terrace to the sea. There is space for sun loungers right on the shore. You don’t have to drive anywhere, rush anywhere, or plan anything. If you feel like a beach day—go right ahead. Want to swim?—no problem. You have everything within a few steps of your apartment. Really, you don’t have to move an inch. In my opinion, it’s great to treat yourself to a lazy day like this upon arrival—a kind of reset. Take off your watch, put on your flip-flops, or simply go barefoot. Walk down to the sea, look out into the distance, close your eyes, and take a deep breath. This truly is a place where your mind, body, and soul can rest.
What’s fantastic is that while staying here, you are tucked away from everything, giving you true peace and quiet, yet whenever the mood strikes, you’re just moments away from several excellent restaurants on the peninsula or one of the many great wineries for a wine tasting.
Speaking of wine, it’s worth mentioning another thing here: Renata’s husband, Ivo, along with their son, Šime, are winemakers. Like many on the peninsula, they produce wine from the Plavac Mali grape variety (the Vino Špaleta winery** offers Plavac Mali, as well as its Plavac Mali Rose and Plavac Mali Selekcija versions, along with a white wine—Rukatac). This boutique, family-run winery focuses on traditional production methods and a wonderfully personal approach to guests. A bottle of good, homemade wine from the hosts is an essential part of their hospitality.
I will write more about the peninsula’s wines in the future, but for those of you who haven’t encountered Croatian wines yet, I’ll just mention that the Pelješac Peninsula is an absolute mecca for wine lovers—often called the "Croatian Bordeaux" or the homeland of the best red varieties in this part of Europe. The Vina Špaleta winery in the village of Kuna Pelješka, along with the specifics of the local cultivation, is a fascinating story of a battle against stony soil, the sun, and multigenerational passion.
I should also add that Renata is famous for making delicious fig jams and other sweet treats, which you can purchase at their family home and winery in Kuna.
Returning to Malo More, Apartments Šime is a unique place for people who appreciate a bit more quiet and wish to relax in peace, while still being located in a spot that provides good access to nearby towns and attractions. From here, you can quickly reach the main road to Dubrovnik (Jadranka) and go shopping in larger towns like Orebić, Opuzen or Metković. It is a fantastic base for exploring the surrounding wineries and, of course, for mussels and oysters. You are close to the kingdom of oysters, Ston, which I wrote about in my previous Pelioart blog post – “Malo More”. You are close to the beautiful southern beaches around the village of Žuljana. You are close to the main road that will take you deep into the Peninsula, to the inland vineyards and the southern slopes of Dingač, to the wineries in Potomje, to Orebić and the ferry to Korčula, and to the very end of the peninsula, Lovište, passing vineyards, charming small white-stone homesteads, and gorgeous views of the Adriatic from the winding serpentines before Postup.
In summary: Apartments Šime is a place that guests regularly describe as a "little paradise." Renata has created a charming enclave there, combining an authentic Dalmatian atmosphere with a family feel. The garden is bursting with Mediterranean vegetation. The scent of rosemary, lavender, oregano, and sage combined with the sea breeze creates an incredible, relaxing microclimate.
The apartments lie in a peaceful, quiet bay, just a few steps from the sea. You have an intimate path down to the water at your disposal, guaranteeing complete privacy and an escape from mass tourism. It is the perfect place to disconnect and find total serenity.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sime.house.1
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Hj7VePncCqrWQmy58
** The Vino Špaleta winery:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057628892717
Google Maps: https://maps.app.goo.gl/XbGf3fftUGP3jScN7
You can see the Apartments Šime right at the very beginning of one of the episodes ob Robert Makłowicz’s YouTube channel:
