We left our little hamlet of Stari Grad, put Harley on the ferry to return to Split and then drive to Dubrovnik for a 2 night stay. Dubrovnik has been UNESCO listed since 1979. In 1991, during the Croatian War of Independence, it was besieged for 7 months and suffered significant damage, and after much restoration it has re emerged as one of the Mediterraneans top tourist destinations, and boy oh boy, there were a lot of tourists!

Our apartment was lovely, in a very quiet location, and had a great balcony with a sea view. We frocked up and headed down to the Old Town.

We had some great coastal views on the way down and eventually arrived at the Pile Gate, built in the 15th century.

Steps then take you down to the Stradun, the towns main thoroughfare, being 300 meters long.

The sunlight on the buildings was too hard for Greg to resist taking heaps of photos. Here are just a few.

We found a spot to have dinner, sea bass fillets, although Rhonda suspected it was sea bream as she is an expert on sea bass, and Greg had tuna which for him was very over cooked however the ambience was pleasant.

After dinner Greg wanted an expresso but apparently it is impossible in Dubrovnik to get an expresso after around 7pm, so we settled for a drink instead!

The next day we wandered back to the Old Town to do some more exploring. The Town Walls are nearly 2 kms long. It costs 40 euros per person to walk round them, we declined! There are 16 towers, 3 fortresses, 6 bastions and 2 drawbridges and the walls are 4 to 6 meters thick. The walls were constructed during the 13th/ 17th centuries and protected the city from many invaders including the Venetians.

The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary was built between 1671 and 1713. Unfortunately no tourists were allowed inside as it was Sunday and there was a service happening.

We then headed up the Jesuit Stairs , a grand Baroque staircase designed in the 1730’s which leads to the St Ignatius Church, a baroque church built in the 17th and 18th century. Inside was stunning, adorned with frescoes and gilded decorations. There was a service happening here too, however us tourists were allowed entry. The marble columns and altar piece were rather spectacular.

We then came across the Statue of Marin Drzic. He was a well known Croatian playwright and often known as the Shakespeare of Dubrovnik. It is said that to rub his nose and knees will bring you good luck, hence Greg thought he would give it a go!😂

We then came to the Church of St Blaise, dedicated to the patron saint of Dubrovnik and dates back to the 18th century. The interior again was rather spectacular.

Dubrovnik has iconic narrow paths and steep stairways. We had a pre lunch aperitivi along one of the narrow ones, not up those steps! We then enjoyed a burger for lunch.

We then made our way back home, sat on the balcony, and watched the sunset.

We enjoyed our time in Dubrovnik, certainly put some kms in the legs and Greg’s knee stood up to the pressure quite well.

Next stop was Zadar, but that’s next blog.

Weather is certainly warming up here, 36 degrees today!

Time for drinks

Lots of love

Greg and Rhonda and Judy.