Hi All,
Leaving Greece, some of the group moved on to travel the Dalmatian Coast, so just a few days in Dubrovnik was marvellous.
Time to really appreciate the history, the life style & food of Croatia and the blue of the Adriatic Sea. The sea is just as blue as the sky and weather is a monotonous – 31 31, 31, 31 only to be broken by a few 32’s and 28 degrees.
We stayed in the Old Town but others who had accommodation outside would enter through the Main Gate. The Old Town is surrounded by the impenetrable wall many feet thick built around 12th -15th century to keep various conquerors out. These walls did their job very well and so, of course, we decided to take the 2hr walk around the top of the wall, but it took a while longer than the 2 hours in the hot sun. We were glad to take a rest and go for a late lunch around town and enjoy the day without all those ‘tourists” or boat people who just dropped in for the day in their thousands.
From the cannon placements you had a magnificent view of the city outside and the local sandy beach, pity they have not been to Bondi. But breakfasts, lunches and dinners were good opportunities to sit and relax and watch people traffic, as well as enjoy some great food, again.As well as take in the views.
We travelled to a few of the local islands and stayed for a swim, more food and sun tanning and not thinking about the cold Australian weather. Some of the beaches were on the other side of the island and we decided to take the local taxi arrangement for $1AUS – well worth it on warm Croatian day.
The reward was a great swim in the blue Adriatic Sea.
Must also tell you about our accommodation in the Old Town within the centre of town.
We stayed in the Sunce Palace, which sounded very upmarket and was indeed, when we got there the first day. The property was refurbished in total period furniture and very magnificent to say the least.
The entry area was just the invitation to move back in history,then up the original stairs of 1500’s to take you to more areas of the “Palace”. Then there was the old dining room, great meals, I am sure, were served there.
No visit to Dubrovnik, I am told, is complete unless you visit the Game of Thrones series locations.
Many tours are provided for those avid fans of the show.Sadly we did not make one of these, but not to worry we knew where all the locations were and took all the right location photos used for the series.
Then to complete our 5 days in Dubrovnik the 66th Festival was just opening and they had fireworks off the waterfront just like Sydney Harbour on New Year but only shorter. All the locals loved it as well as the 000’s of tourists that had come into the city for the night.
Another day starts and we are boarding our boat for a small cruise up the Dalmatian coast for the next week.
Wendy
