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| Dubrovnik's Old Town is perhaps best identified by its orange roofs. (Photo from Wikimedia Commons) |
I’ve been dreaming of Dubrovnik, Croatia’s romantic, trapped-in-time city, since Jade and I began discussing our (as of yet unscheduled) eastern Europe tour. In spite of the fact that it’s inaccessible by train – our preferred mode of European transport – Dubrovnik is on my must-see list for the trip.
To add to my anticipation, my all-time favorite show, Game of Thrones, is filming part of season two in the medieval city. They’re also filming in two of my other Dream Destinations, Northern Ireland and Iceland. Oh, what I would give to be on that production crew…
Dubrovnik is a walled city on the Adriatic Sea, well-preserved since its medieval hey-day. (Poet Lord Byron called it the Pearl of the Adriatic.) The city’s first pharmacy, established in 1317, is still open today. Dubrovnik’s walled Old City was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979.
Dubrovnik combines all the best of a perfect travel escape: sunny beaches, sidewalk cafés and an almost pearlescent radiance (hence Byron’s nickname for the city). The city is geographically isolated by mountains and sea, making it a hassle to get in (by air seems to be best, but you can also reach it by ferry or car). But that kind of isolation makes a place all the more relaxing once you’re there.
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Sponza Palace is one of the many medieval sights in Dubrovnik's Old Town. (Photo byLászló Szalai) |
Many of Dubrovnik’s most exciting sights are from its medieval prime. Visitors can walk the city walls that have protected Dubrovnik since the 13th century. Other medieval sights include the Franciscan and Dominican Monasteries and the Rector’s Palace. Other palaces, as well as cathedrals and fountains, delight sightseers.
More adventurous types can go on sea kayaking excursions or dive in the Adriatic. Visitors looking to venture further beyond the city walls can travel to Mostar, Montenegro or any of a number of islands, including Korcula (with a beautiful medieval city) or Lokrum, with a ruined Benedictine monastery and botanical gardens. Mostar and Montenegro are accessible by bus or car. Both islands are accessible by ferry.
What to eat: Seafood! It’s on the Adriatic Sea, after all. Seafood specialties include squid, octopus and all sorts of shellfish. Risotto is another local specialty, and you can find seafood risotto all around the city. My fellow vegetarians might have a tougher time in this city, but the city seems to have a variety of pizza and pasta places that might serve.
Where to stay: The most convenient – and most expensive – part of Dubrovnik in which to sleep is the city’s Old Town. Budget options include Fresh* Sheets hostel (www.freshsheetshostel.com) and the Old Town Hostel (www.dubrovnikoldtownhostel.com). Rooms Vicelic (rooms-vicelic.com) is a guesthouse inside the city walls, and has two other properties with rooms and apartments just outside the Old Town.
For more information and details to plan your trip to Dubrovnik, visit:
– Sputnik
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