Dubrovnick, Croatia

Dubrovnick, a view of old town

A 2,500 year old miniature city (Old town) classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and rightly so. Fortified by 40 foot high walls all the way around with marina access littered with wine bars, restaurants, museums and everything in between make Dubrovnik a jewel in Croatia’s landscape found right at the foot of the country

Stone lined streets, piazza squares, a maze of alleyways with every corner yielding a new adventure. Old town will have you lost in medieval delight and the sheer volume of stairs makes for good fitness. Once you have explored the ground floor of old town head up towards the higher levels and keep discovering to your heart’s content. Although many are converted to small hotels and apartments for holiday stays a lot still belong to the residents so you may find yourself stumbling into someone’s backyard. Do search out the hidden doorways that lead you to bars outside the walls on the rocks themselves. 

Reserve your legs for the walk around the top of the Citadel wall. Spectacular views await although avoided during mid-day sun as could be too much for some. Your wall ticket also gets you entry to Fort Lovrijenic a stand alone fortress outside of the others. Much of Game of Thrones was filmed in old town as was Star Wars the last Jedi so fans can indulge all day. Put another whole day aside and visit the islands via many of the tour operators and experience true village island life.

From fresh locally sourced food, drinking the water from the fountains to keeping fit with all the walking coming your way it is just so natural. A place that stress slips away. soak in the sites, plunge in the refreshing cool water of the Sea. Take or spend a day at a beach club and just revel with a nice cold drink in hand.

We spent 3 days in old town and with one island cruise taking up at least one of those but agreed to come back and go further to Hvar and Split next time. With only a 5 1/2 hour flight time from Dubai it’s a perfect cultural get away from the searing summer temperatures.