World Donkey Day and Other Celebrations
Anyone visiting the island of Brač in May will be amazed. Although this is the ideal time to travel for those seeking peace and quiet, it is anything but boring. Quite the opposite: special events such as the reopening of Hotel Lemongarden and World Donkey Day bring variety and life to the island.
April 22nd 2026
A New Season for Hotel Lemongarden
On 27 April, Hotel Lemongarden welcomes its first guests of the new season with a special opening celebration. The opening weekend is all about enjoyment and togetherness. Local live music, traditional Croatian specialties and a group hike are part of the programme, as is the first breakfast right by the sea in the harbour of Sutivan.
As varied as the programme may be, there is still enough time and space to enjoy the heavenly tranquillity that settles over Brač in May. Strolling through the garden, setting off on a short bike ride and breathing in the salty sea air: after a long winter, it feels good to be back in the south.
8 May: World Donkey Day
A visit to our Olive House is always worthwhile, but especially in May. It is located on a small hill about 20 minutes by car from Sutivan and offers wonderful views of Split, the neighbouring island of Šolta and the Croatian coastal mountains. Surrounded by low stone walls and country paths, seemingly endless olive groves with their gnarled trees stretch out in every direction. More than 500 of these precious trees grow here; they provide delicious olives and the olives for our olive oil. They also offer welcome shade.
This is also where the gay donkey couple Miki and Ivo are at home. The two enjoy life on the sunny side, are happy to welcome visitors and are free to do whatever their donkey hearts desire. They are extremely friendly companions. Like their fellow donkeys, they hold a very special place in human history. Without donkeys, which are considered among the most important pack animals, agriculture — and therefore survival — would simply not have been possible in the past. Because the achievements and importance of these intelligent animals are often overlooked, scientist Dr Abdul Raziq Kakar established World Donkey Day in 2010.
Why Donkeys Are So Special
The scientist, whose actual field of research focuses on desert animals, chose 8 May as World Donkey Day. On this day, animal welfare organisations, donkey lovers and donkey protection projects place these fluffy, often stubborn animals in the spotlight. Stories on social media, posts and articles, videos and podcasts bring many people closer to a species that is often forgotten.
Especially in rural areas of the Global South, life without donkeys would be unthinkable. They help with fieldwork, patiently carry belongings and people from one place to another and are remarkably undemanding. Donkeys are clever, quick learners and, in one respect, even a little more intelligent than horses: when they are frightened or sense danger, they do not simply run off, but first take a moment to assess the situation. This makes them more predictable.
Donkeys form close bonds both with other donkeys and with humans. They are people-oriented and calm, which makes them particularly interesting for animal-assisted therapy. In short: donkeys are not only cute — they are simply wonderful.
What Else May Has to Offer on Brač
Of course, our opening celebration and a visit to our donkeys are not the only highlights in May. The temperatures are now ideal for an extended bike ride. The Tramuntana cycling route is considered especially beautiful and scenic. It starts directly in front of Hotel Lemongarden and also ends here again.
For those who still find the Adriatic Sea a little too fresh, our breathtakingly beautiful pool is the perfect alternative. Relaxing, switching off and recharging your batteries: this is something our guests can always look forward to.
On 1 May, Croatia celebrates Labour Day (Praznik rada). As it is a public holiday, shops remain closed and locals often use the day for excursions and picnics. Another public holiday is Statehood Day on 30 May (Dan državnosti). This is the day on which the country’s sovereignty and independence were declared in 1990. Croatian flags can be seen everywhere, restaurants often serve special menus and in places such as Supetar, Bol or Milna, there may well be live music in the streets.
Tip!
Enjoy the special atmosphere that lies over Brač in the low season and come visit us. In the current Falstaff Hotel Guide, in which more than 1,500 hotels were rated, Hotel Lemongarden once again achieved the top rating of 98 points.
