Gateway to My Balkan Adventures
During the off-peak season in mid-May, we booked a British
Airways package to Dubrovnik, which included flights and five nights in Hotel
Lapad, for two people, for only £933. Croatia and Slovenia had long been on my
bucket list. I knew Dubrovnik was a must-visit destination, although I didn’t
know much about it before this trip.
I researched a bit and understood both Slovenia and Croatia
declared independence from Yugoslavia in June 1991. While Slovenia experienced
a brief conflict, Croatia endured a violent war that lasted until 1995.
During our stay in Dubrovnik, we also took two memorable day
tours – one to Bosnia and Herzegovina and another to Montenegro, both of which
also emerged from the breakup of Yugoslavia.
Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik is a stunning city located on the southern coast
of Croatia. Interestingly, the southern part is separated from the rest of the
Croatian mainland by a small strip of Bosnia and Herzegovina. The city’s Old
Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is not to be missed.
We stayed at Hotel Lapad, a modern and comfortable hotel
compared to the more historic accommodations in the Old Town. Many yachts dock
in the Lapad area, giving it a relaxed and coastal vibe. Located about 3 km
from the Old Town, it was easy and affordable to get around – Uber rides took
just 6 to 8 minutes and cost between €5 and €8.
City Walls
The city walls walk was especially stunning during our
visit, thanks to the great weather. The water was crystal clear, and the
scenery was breathtaking. While walking around the outside of the walls is free
and worth going, we paid €40 each to walk the full 2 km along the top of the
city walls – an experience I would highly recommend. The panoramic views of
Dubrovnik were incredible, from the endless Adriatic Sea to the city’s iconic
red-orange tiled rooftops. We were completely immersed in the scenery and
captured countless beautiful photos along the way.
Old Town
Inside the City Walls lies
the Old Town, filled with charming shops and restaurants. We picked up some
souvenirs and enjoyed several gelatos. After passing through a narrow corridor
and climbing up some stairs, we discovered a cluster of restaurants with a
relaxed and inviting atmosphere. The area becomes quite lively in the evening
as well.
Edulis Oyster Bar – Highly Recommended
One hidden gem was a tiny
oyster bar my husband found on Tripadvisor, just six seats in total. The
oysters came from the nearby Ston oyster farm; the restaurant owner proudly
told us that this oyster farm is one of the largest in the World. My husband
was so impressed by the freshness and flavour that he visited three times. I
joined him twice, and together we savoured the oysters raw, grilled, and fried.
On our final visit, we also tried cuttlefish with rice — this is the only restaurant we
recommend in Dubrovnik. The little bar offered great value for money,
especially compared to other places.
We did try oysters at another nearby restaurant, but they
weren’t very fresh. It reminded me of what a taxi driver had told us that many
restaurants in the Old Town serve frozen seafood.
Libertas Fish Restaurant — Quite Expensive
We also dined at Libertas Fish Restaurant, a signature
restaurant in an expensive hotel in the Lapad area. It is highly rated on
Tripadvisor with 4.9 points out of 5. The seafood we ordered — lobster, oysters, and crab — was undeniably fresh and the
vibe was fantastic as we were facing the Adriatic Sea. The overall experience
was great including their excellent services. However, we felt that it was
quite overpriced even when compared to Michelin-star restaurants in Europe,
although they provided a few complimentary starters and desserts alongside our
orders. Notably, seafood prices weren’t listed on their online menu, which made
it impossible to gauge the cost in advance.
Cable Car - worth a ride
It is worth taking the cable car up to the top of Mount Srđ
for a spectacular panoramic view of Dubrovnik. Tickets cost €15 for a one-way
trip and €27 for a round trip per adult. We opted for two round-trip tickets
and the views were stunning. Some people chose one-way and walked down the
mountain.
Part 2
Coming up next in a few days: “Part 2 — Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro”.
Further reading
Readers can refer to my previous article about nurturing passions and interests "SPICE UP YOUR LIFE: NURTURING PASSIONS AND INTERESTS".
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