Dubrovnik in Photos

People say the darndest things, it's true. But if you look closely when you travel, you'll find they do the darndest things too. In Paris, I once watched a couple try to fit a huge CRT TV (I'm dating myself) into the back of a Smart Car. I sat at the café and drank rosé for 45 minutes while they unpacked the TV and contorted their bodies in all kinds of positions before realizing what I thought was obvious from the beginning, "Non!" This scene in old town Dubrovnik happened 15 years later, but it reminded me of that day in Paris. I watched as the men seemed to shake their heads, "No way is this metal beam going up the narrow twisty stairway." So they did the next best thing---through the window. I love the entrepreneurial spirit!

Walking through Dubrovnik, you see a lot of beautiful, stone-based architecture. The steps in the photo above tell an interesting story, one that I heard while observing them and it was memorable to me: they were built in a specific way, so that anyone standing below would be prevented from catching a glimpse of a woman’s ankles as she slightly lifted her skirt to walk up the stairs. There were stories like this about different architectural phenomena all over the city. Every stone here revealed a unique history about Dubrovnik’s people and their culture!

Wandering the many alleyways of Dubrovnik, Croatia. Such a beautiful place!

Although Dubrovinik is fast approaching the status of "tourist mecca", Through the seas of people and the Disney-esque souvenir stores hocking striped tees and Croatian neck ties, peaks of the real Croatia exist relatively unfettered by the changes that surround the historic "Bride of the Adriatic". This street musician plays traditional music in the town's winding, cobbled streets.

The side streets and alleys of Old Town Dubrovnik are picturesque in and of themselves, add a cute kitty or two and you have some down right classic images on your hands. Though these cats (and dogs) won't come sit in your lap, they can be found wandering the empty roads in the early morning and lounging on shady steps in the heat of the day. I found this to be a fun, relaxing (and free) way to pass an afternoon.

Dubrovnik joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979. A feature of Dubrovnik is its city walls that run more than 3 km around the city. Evening is the best time to walk and enjoy the city view.

A rainy morning did not dampen the view of Old Dubrovnik, Croatia, as I traveled to the mountainside town of Polijica. Although many of the city's buildings are centuries old, the bright orange roofs were replaced following the Croatian War of Independence in 1991.

Corpus Christi - a Christian feast. Are the Catholic traditions disappearing or getting stronger? - Dubrovnik (Croatia)

I lived in Paris for ten years and as much as I love France, I can make an argument for Dubrovnik being the most beautiful city in Europe. Smack on the border between Eastern Europe and the Mediterranean, the Dalmatian coast here offers evidence and the strengths of both. A beautiful walled city on the edge of the blue Adriatic (when the astronauts circle they Earth they say it is the sea most visible from space), walking its ramparts at sunset is among the most peaceful and stunning day’s end you can have in any world.

Walking the wall around Dubronik - exciting to see all the red roofs

Dubrovnik is one of the best preserved medieval walled cities in the world. Some parts of the wall are built among the rocks which are ideal for restaurant establishment where customers can enjoy the sunsets with a full view of the ocean.

The bells stand up against the wall blending in perfectly like a wall painting. This is one of the beautiful sights you will encounter when you take a walk from the top of the city walls in Dubrovnik.

It’s natural to lose yourself in Dubrovnik’s fortified Old City, a charming maze of marble streets and terracotta-roofed buildings. UNESCO has recognized it as a World Heritage site, and HBO chose Dubrovnik as the stand-in for Kings Landing in hit show “Game of Thrones.” But there are compelling reasons to venture beyond its walkable historic walls. With Regent Seven Seas Cruises®, you can go cycling in the surrounding countryside, past old mills and vineyards, or take to the sparkling Adriatic Sea in a kayak, with a break to swim in secluded caves. Dubrovnik is a featured stop on many sailings, including the new “Old World Empires” itinerary from Jerusalem to Venice. And if you want to enjoy a bit of the royal treatment yourself, Regent Seven Seas Cruises makes Business Class accessible with its specially priced airfare upgrade option—or free, if you book a Penthouse suite or higher.

Old City Walls A stroll around Dubrovnik's fortifications is the most popular itinerary for visitors. In fact, it was my first and allowed me to get my bearings and an appreciation of the size of this obscure gem. I climbed on top of the walls to view the city from all angles. Climbing the walls was a herculean task, but I must admit that the views were worth the climb. Dubrovnik walls are a must see. Game Of Thrones Tour I'm a big enthusiast of Game of Thrones, and once I learned that some of its scenes were filmed in Dubrovnik, I couldn't leave without going for a Dubrovnik Game of Thrones tour . I met my guide, and we started our trip. Our first stop was Fort Lorvijenac that is found high up on the hill just outside the massive city gates. To make the tour enjoyable, my guide told me more about the history of Dubrovnik and showed me photos of where we were and the scenes of the popular TV series. The architecture was spectacular, and I understood why they chose to fill the show there. I also visited a few other locations where the show was filmed. Accommodation is expensive in Dubrovnik, and so I decided to rent a small luxury villa in Croatia to stay in as it was a cheaper option. I would live in Dubrovnik given the chance. I will for sure be back to visit. Thanks Dubrovnik for making me feel home away from home.

The drive from Split to Dubrovnik along the Southern Dalmatian coast is breathtaking. It is not a long drive and is supposed to take only four hours to complete, but stunning views across the Adriatic seduced us into stopping our car every 10 minutes.

This drive is often featured in the top ten drives of the world - turquoise waters on one side and the Dinaric Alps on the other make it truly special. Make sure you stop to have orange juice at the shacks lining the Makarska Riviera.

The best part, however, comes at the end. It is the vision of Dubrovnik, ringed in blue water.

The Jewel of the Adriatic is indeed a picture-perfect city. Dubrovnik, with its whitewashed walls, melt-between-the-toes sand, and boats bobbing on a crystal harbor, is a camera magnet.

The UNESCO-protected city was shelled indiscriminately during the Homeland War (as it’s known in Croatia) for no real strategic reason; today it’s the shiploads of tourists who pose the most danger. Far from being overwhelmed, the locals handle it well, catering to the masses with a gelato bar on every corner and postcards for sale within arm’s reach.

In Dubrovnik I was determined to stay in the Old Town, so we rented an apartment just off the main Stradun. It wasn’t hard to live like locals: drying washing on the pull-line above the narrow street and ducking out to grab a bottle of Grk when supplies got low. Nights were spent eating whole fish; days exploring the city’s galleries.

Walking the old town walls was a must-do (hint: go in the morning before the masses arrive), but a real highlight was looking down from Mt Srd at sunset. It gave me a new appreciation of renaissance architecture, and showed just how amazing a town it is.

If you are lucky enough to be in Croatia when they play football, join the locals in any bar, pub or restaurant for a fantastic time.
I happened to be in Gundulic square in Old Town Dubrovnik when Croatia played Spain in UEFA Euro 2012. Wow!

Instead of sitting down at a restaurant, stroll the farmers' market and buy some fruit, milk, cheese, eggs, veggies or nuts from a local grower.

They start setting up around 7am and stay through the morning.

The map with this highlight is accurate.

Dubrovnik has plenty of traditional handmade goods to purchase. Many of the local artisans can be found set up with their items on the street, while the official shops generally have items from Croatia at large. However, there are many local artisans with their own shops too.
Be sure to look for the checkmark decal displayed on store windows confirming their Croatian authenticity.

Dubrovnik has no shortage of stellar views, but if you are looking for one that's off the tourist path then go north of the Old City into the residential pedestrian walkways.
On Gornji Kono you'll find a paved area with park benches set up to enjoy a (likely private) sunset. See the attached map for the exact location.
A view is not the only thing you'll find here. Eploring the pedestrian walkways and seeing locals' backyards you'll get a glimpse of everyday life in Dubrovnik; notice the terraced yards, walled entrances, abundant gardens, and scooters parked at will.

Croatian made jewelry is unique, intricate, and has a long history. Many of the jewelry store owners have family heirlooms of jewelry, metalwork, swords, and pistols dating hundreds of years back on display. Treat yourself to a story of local history by asking an owner about them.

Simply magical. I never tired of visiting.

When the day is hot in Dubrovnik, it is really hot in the medieval city within the walls as heat reflects back from all directions from the stone walled buildings to the smooth limestone pavements here. But the crowd never seemed to mind.

Above the red tile rooftops and massive stone buildings of the Old City, there is a bright spot.
Citrus and green makes for a refreshing sight to a traveller's eyes.
Kind of makes you want an ice cold lemonade, doesn't it?

This is probably what was left from the 1667 earthquake, yet the city is able to retain its true beauty with just the bells and the brick wall behind.

A World Heritage Site, Dubrovnik's walls run more than 3 km around the city. Views are spectacular on either side of the walls.

Blissful experience

The Big Onofrio's Fountain is a sixteen-sided container with a cupola but unfortunately, it was damaged during an earthquake.

Seen in many photographs, a sensational city and port, not to mention many other nearby Croatian destinations.

In just a few hours Dubrovnik, Croatia, became one of my favorite places on the planet.

The Old City invites exploration. As you enter the gates, the shiny polished marble pedestrian street invites you to wander through an ancient pharmacy, churches, museums, sidewalk cafes and bakeries. Street vendors offers very packable souvenirs of colorful hand-embroidered item, from bookmarks to table cloths.

The view from the top of the old city wall is worth the hike. Climb to the very top of the city and look down on the tile rooftops and out beyond to the Adriatic Sea.

But, as often is the case, it is the local people of an area that capture my attention. This man was hard at work with his daily task of tending nets, extricating unwanted shells and debris to keep the tools of his trade in tidy shape.

Stop by the water side cafe and soak in not only a cool beverage, but also the sights and sounds of a busy ancient and modern harbor town. I had just a few coins left of the local currency --- just enough to indulge in an ice cream treat before exiting the city gates. Go for it!