Dubrovnik, Croatia is my first destination in the Balkans, but certainly not the last. Known for its scenic coastline with rugged mountains sloping down to the water, Dubrovnik has more recently gained fame as a destination for Game of Thrones fans. Unlike the rest of the Balkans, Croatia is not really undiscovered anymore and the downtown areas are filled with tourists, especially when a cruise ship is docked. The biggest surprise during my stay was a 5.7 magnitude earthquake, the largest in the area in decades.
Travel thought: What do you check to learn whether costs in a city are “cheap” or not? Is there a specific food or price that you would check first?
A lengthy flight layover in Naples provided time for a neapolitan pizza
Flyby of Mount Vesuvius
An empty flight to Dubrovnik demonstrates this is not peak tourist season
A good day to fly
The Croatian coastline comes into view
The cable car overlooking Dubrovnik’s old city
The old city walls
Games of Thrones merchandise is everywhere
The narrow alleys in the old city are great for photography and nice views
Nearby hikes offer fantastic views
View of Dubrovnik old town from above
The snow-capped mountains are around the Croatia-Bosnia-Montenegro border and are about 1 mile above sea level, despite the fact that they’re 10 miles from the sea
You need to get creative when space is at a premium
It looks like a cruise ship, but it’s the world’s 21st largest yacht in harbor
Peacock on Lokrum island
It’s called the “city of stone” for a reason
City walls at dusk
Fire? Protest? Riot? No, probably just a sports team celebrating based on the cheering I heard
Experiencing the largest earthquake in the region in decades with no notice, plus aftershocks later, added some extra excitement to the trip
The scenic bridge just north of Dubrovnik
Galleon in the style that Dubrovnik was famous for in the 1600’s
The Dubrovnik old city walls, the city’s most famous attraction
