Delightful Dubrovnik

Day 2 of my cruise on the Splendour of the Seas saw me ticking another destination off my bucket list – Dubrovnik.

(If you missed my day 1 blog of Venice then click here)

From sailing in to the port itself, passing the lush green scenery & nearing the impressive fortifications, Dubrovnik was everything I had expected it to be.

The ship docked around the bay from the main centre. You could probably take a stroll round in about 30-40 minutes, but as we were eager to dive straight in we jumped in a cab. There is a set fare of 10 euros, so if you are travelling as a couple you could join another couple for the journey as we did & share the cost. Lots of taxis are lined up directly opposite the ship.

Dubrovnik was just visually beautiful. It’s hard to imagine the place has gone through so much during its recent troubled history as the former Yugoslavia.

I’ll put details of some excursions at the bottom of the blog, but we loved just wandering around the streets & finding tiny cobbled alleyways with beautiful seafood restaurants & shops selling local produce, traditional & designer clothes & the usual touristy nick nacks.

You can take a walk right around the walls which is a distance of around 2 kilometres. You can join at the main Pile Gate. This walk affords some of the best views over the city & is a great way to try & get your bearings. There are also a few cafes & ice cream parlours along the way in case you need a rest & some refreshments. There is a charge for this with proceeds going towards the upkeep of the ancient stonework. Please note that although Euros were accepted just about everywhere else in the city, the fee for the walk is only payable in Croatian Kuna. The cost is approximately £10pp. The ship did not exchange Croatian money, so something to remember before your departure.

If you have a head for heights you can also take a ride in the cable car. The view is indescribable, allowing you to see the entirety of Dubrovnik from above as well as the Adriatic and Lokrum island. There is a great museum at the top dedicated to the Bosnian war and the bombing of Dubrovnik, although be forewarned that only about half of the objects and artefacts they have are signposted in English. There is also a restaurant. Be aware that the queue for the cable car can be quite long, so I recommend arriving early and coming prepared with water as the majority of the line is not sheltered. The car ride itself is short though, and it is a great way to spend a couple of hours. Again the cost is around £10pp for a return trip & advisable to pay in local currency.

For my next port of call blog, Kusadasi click here.

Here are a couple of the excursions offered by Royal Caribbean during our cruise:

AUDIO GUIDE WALKING TOUR:

Cost $40 Adult/Child

Duration 3 hours

My opinion: There is nothing like in depth information to bring a destination to life.  You are given an i-pod, so you can take the tour at your own pace & are not herded around. You are also given a map (very handy in a place that has so many little streets that you copuld easily find yourself lost in) plus a suggested itinerary. Great way to learn about Dubrovnik now & during its history.

DUBROVNIK ON YOUR OWN:

Cost $26 Adult/Child

Duration 4 hours

My Opinion: Don’t do it! Considering a taxi is only 10 Euros & you can come & go as you please this is a waste of money in my eyes.

Next stop…Kusadasi, Turkey. A special place in my heart as I used to live there!