Oh, Dubrovnik. There are just too many wonderful things to say about this port town. This was the final destinations for Bree, Eric, and myself. It was the perfect platform to say goodbye to Croatia. They say you want to leave with the best, and that was true about Dubrovnik, a fan favorite based on consensus.
Any Game of Thrones fan will be very familiar with Dubrovnik. Filming for the hit television show was done all around the city of Dubrovnik. You can find multiple tours with the exact scenes from each filming location as points of the tour.
Seeing as neither Eric, Bree, or myself are G.O.T. fans, this didn’t interest us. I have always wanted to climb the city walls of Dubrovnik. When I say ‘always’, I mean, since Eric convinced me we were going to Croatia this Summer, and I had a good, long Instagram stalk of locations in Croatia. The views from the city walls looked unbeatable compared to anything else. And, as with the Plitvice Lakes, I was lucky enough to walk the walls twice during my visits to Dubrovnik.
Both worth it. Both made me sweat buckets. Be prepared for this when walking the walls in July and August. It is ridiculously hot up there. And surprisingly lacking any type of breeze for the occasional cool down. Regardless of this, the walk around the entire wall should be done if you ever visit Dubrovnik. Looking out over the taro cotta rooftops will take your breath away.
Other activities in Dubrovnik include heading to the small beaches near the Old Town, hiring a JetSki for an hour to receive a panoramic view of the city, getting a massage, visiting the multiple churches and cathedrals in Old Town, and taking advantage of the excursions based in and around Dubrovnik.
Croatia, and Dubrovnik specifically, found itself at war recently. 25 years ago the city was forced to evacuate and a few years later, able to re-enter into normal life once again. The damage done within the city walls is very much prominent. You are able to view a detailed map of the different points of attack throughout the city, and the damage caused. Still a very fresh war, it is humbling to see the city thriving as much as it is now, only 25 years later.
Saying goodbye to Croatia is bittersweet. I have grown familiar with the way of life, the currency, the Croatian sense of humor, and the beauty that constantly surrounds me. But there is so much of the world to see, and my time is so limited here in Europe. With Italy on the horizon, can you blame a girl for wanting to leave and never look back? I am itching to see Rome, drink wine in Tuscany, taste the pesto in Cinque Terre, and ride a gondola in Venice.
Time to board my last plane until leaving Europe for Australia!
Dear, dear Rachel,
Thank you for showing me places in Croatia I hadn’t seen. It’s all so beautiful, I don’t think you would be unhappy – whichever coastal town you visit. Zagreb still hold a special place in my heart. While there I recreated my grandparents trip…taking many pictures in the same places they did, etc. I loved the old part of the city, reached by a tram up a hillside. Here, with Slavak, I visited Milan’s grave and saw how different this was compared to most family graves in the U.S.
Hugs from Cousin Susan 😉