Located in the pristine forests of Rastoke, Croatia, Tree Elements greets travelers and shelter-seekers with equal respect.
We created the kindest treehouse eco-retreat in the world, built with locally sourced material, and devoted ourselves to the forest while giving back to the people and Mother Nature. But our idea stretches way beyond construction. Life at Tree Elements is a story about community, beauty, inspiration, art, and conservation.
“In 2018 I bought 4 acres of forest land near Rastoke village, by Korana river, in Croatia. The idea of what I wanted to do in life, truly and fully, came to me when I was 29. It was crystal clear: buy a forest, build treehouses, and come up with something new, something kind. I’ve been saving money since I was 15 when I got my first job in the tourism industry, and I knew that it was not the path I was willing to follow. I wanted something more, something different, and something that could change people’s lives. As COVID hit hard in 2020, the whole construction process got delayed and my family got involved. Together, we were able to finish the project and open it to the public with my sister’s wedding in August 2023.
The aim was to create intelligent luxury at its best while minimizing the impact on the planet. The focus is on energy efficiency and waste management, with social commitment while protecting natural surroundings. It is a low-impact, high-value tourism model – fewer guests paying a premium for the privilege of experiencing more and helping others with their stay.”
Ivona, The founder of Tree Elements
The dream is for this forest to be everyones. That we, together, as a community, learn from nature and give back to her as much as possible.
I want travelers to develop a growing sense of one another, our world, and our place in it. There should be a connection between a traveler and the local community, along with the environment. I am not here to promote mass tourism, but to propose eco-kind. For me, eco-kind means environmental and social respect.
Your visit and stay will contribute to showing what a responsible and sustainable tourist destination means. Away from the masses – being ecologically and socially aware of the time we live in.
The essence should be the interaction, not only a transaction.
