The area where Lyra is located was Severely damaged during war times. Numerous houses were destroyed, and the locals had hard times Rebuilding their lives and their community. This is where we stepped in. Spontaneously, as a response to a very friendly welcome from the elderly people, who lived in the house next door to the hotel, the idea arose of establishing a charity foundation, to give back to the community. We helped our neighbours renovate their home, and we instantly became friends. Lyra indeed is a rising star – Creating a brighter future for local people generated by visitors to the village.

Tara Cooperative was established as an initiative to help employ  some women from the village who were  keen to keep alive long established local crafts. The activities they undertook included weaving carpets, bags, cloths, ties, blankets, knitting stockings, hats, making spirits, marmalades, baking bread etc. .... We aim to support them by selling their unique products in our souvenir shops, and working with them on guided tours around the village and the local area.

The idea about Lyra plum brandy actually came from the neighbours. They kept offering us brandy and we realised that this was something really local and that we needed  to include it into our offer. And this is how we decided to serve it as a welcome drink at the hotel. But at first, the brandy needed to be made. And this is where, once again, our neighbours stepped in. On their initiative, plum picking was organised. We picked around two or three tons of plums and cooked around 150 litres of brandy, which will now be served as a welcome as a welcome drink…Cheers, or Živjeli as we say in Croatia.