As every Road Trips Gardener knows, there’s more to plants than their beauty. Sure, they’re often tasty, too, but sometimes they’re at their finest when distilled into essential oils.

Lošinj, Croatia, was pronounced a natural health resort by Viennese medical experts at the end of 19th Century. The island is recognized for its rehabilitative properties, Mediterranean microclimate, and “untouched nature”. This owes much to the Croatian Professor and Botanist Ambroz Haracic, who planted more than 80,000 Aleppo pines and 500 Avenue trees in the first year of a major reforestation program in 1886, along with 300,000 more seedlings.

The island now has 1,200 herb species: 939 of these are indigenous, with others introduced by sailors, including Mexican cacti and agave, Indian figs, Japanese medlar and eucalyptus.

The new four-day Aroma Workshop Retreat at the Hotel Bellevue in Lošinj, Croatia, offers a look into the art of essential oil distillation – from concept and inspiration, to the extraction of the oils to create aromatherapy products.

Guests can also enjoy detoxifying treatments at the Bellevue Spa Clinic; prepare local delicacies using the Mediterranean flavors and island herbs; take to the walking and hiking trails, and visit Lošinj’s Garden of Fine Scents.

The five-star Hotel Bellevue, part of Lošinj Hotels & Villas, is located at Cikat Bay.

(Photo courtesy of Hotel Bellevue)