Dubrovnik holiday

The better half and I have just returned from Croatia and the city of Dubrovnik for our summer holidays. Well it was lovely… and hot.

First up views on the first night from the hotel in the Babin Kuk area of Dubrovnik we were staying in. This area was a little way out - needing a 20 minute bus ride to the old city  

Over the next three days we popped into the old city 3 times to have a look around, so we didn’t melt in the heat, avoided some of the crowds and could have time at the pool - we picked up a 3 day Dubrovnik pass, which gave us free transport, access to most of the key attractions and discounts to some of others. 

TL - the Pile gate, TR - Fort Lovrijenac (from the Walls), BL -  some of the Wall, BR - looking into the city from the Walls. The walk around the walls is worth it, but costs €35 on its own, but was included in the pass - stunning views of the old city, which unsurprisingly looks a bit like King’s Landing and a few other locations from game of thrones. We also visited a couple of museums and the rector’s palace.

Lokrum island - was the next day. A discounted ferry trip to the nature reserve - again beautiful a setting. TL - the path up to Fort Royal, TR - a view along Lokrum’s coast, BL - Fort Royal, a Napoleonic fort built by the French, BR - a view of the old city from the island. Really liked the island - some nice swimming in clear water around it and plenty to do - we should have spent more time around the Monastery complex than we did, but worth the visit. 

The third trip to the old town was visit to some of the other places around the city. TL - the city from Fort Lovrijenac, some good views (but visit using the pass as it would be expensive without it.), TR - the steps of Shame (GoT reference), BL - Saint Ignatius Church at the top of the steps, BR - a picture from inside the Friars Minor Franciscan Monastery Museum.

The last day in Dubrovnik saw us take a boat trip to 3 of the Elaphiti Islands of Lopud, Šipan, and Koločep. TL - some steps in Sipan, TR and BL some buildings around the harbour on Koločep. BR - the monastery near the harbour of Lopud. Now I’m not say I didn’t have a good day out on the boat, because I did, but it didn’t really hit my expectations either. The reviews online are averaging at 4.5/5 - which I think are a bit generous - on the first 2 islands you get about an hour to wander about - which wasn’t really enough time to go anywhere to see much. Then on the third and largest island we had about 3 hours - and were sold on the largest sandy beach in the area - requiring a 20min (actually about 40min walk over the island) or a “taxi” in a golf buggy (€3 each way each), we we took. Unfortunately we arrived any in tide was coming in, so the beach was getting smaller and was already crowded - we did catch some rays and have swim, but not what we thought we were getting. The boat trip back was good - I just liked looking out at the coast and the islands. 

So overall and really great break - loved Croatia and Dubrovnik (although it is expensive - tourist honeypot) and would certainly recommend it! There was so much we didn’t do and see … perhaps another visit in the future?

Morts