Our arrival to this port was mid day at 12:30. The weather was in the mid 70’s, just about perfect. We would be in port to 10:30 pm which isn’t typical of most cruise ships. The cruise line arranged for shuttle buses to take us to the city center for a price of $16 per person. You could come and go as often as you wanted. But we had a tour which would pick us up at the port area so no need for the shuttle. Lots of folks were upset with the cost and in many regards I don’ t blame them. It seems reasonable that if the vendors want your business they would offer free shuttles. Folks pay a lot of money just to get to the port and then they ask for more. Oh well!
Dubrovnik is a lovely unique city. Medieval walls enclose the old city. There is a cable car which can take you to the top of Mount Srd to view all from atop. You really take a step back in time. This city is located in the southern portion of Croatia in the coast of the Adriatic Sea. There are Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance architecture here. Outside of town there are beautiful and lush countrysides. The small neighboring town on Cavtat is a quaint town also.
We hired a driver to take the four of us on a tour. His English was ok but not the best. It was interesting that he always wanted to take photos of the four of us!! Ha ha. I guess he thought all tourists want their photos taken at viewpoints so we just agreed. He took us to areas that had been bombed during WW 2 and never rebuilt like the presidential palace along the beach. It was very sad. He said there just was no money from the government to rebuild. Some of the hotels near the presidents mansion were also military and they too have never been rebuilt.
At the town of Cavtat he gave us about 45 minutes to walk this old city which was lovely. We quickly found an inviting outside table and enjoyed an adult beverage! After meeting back up with our driver he took us to a posh hotel with a beautiful overlook And clean bathrooms that did not require payment. It is common and typical to have to pay a euro or half euro to use a toilet and they are not easy to find!
Our tour ended at the old city where he let us off which gave us plenty of time to explore. We paid to walk the walls which was a good workout and a unique perspective. Of course like everything there are too many tourists even at this time of year. The days of enjoyable travel I fear are gone. After a thorough walk thru of the old city we decided our tired feet were ready for a rest so we hailed a taxi that would take us back to our ship. It was a great first port day enjoyed by all of us.
The bombed presidents summer palace
Inside the palace it has been ransacked and no plans of being rebuilt
Beautiful churches everywhere.
Enjoying our adult beverages !
Inside the walled city...stepping back in time
I’m a fan of old doors and windows. They speak to me... who walked through their doors over the ages or peered through their panes?
Beautiful niches everywhere and craftsmanship that has endured through time ...
The walk to the top of the wall is steep and not for the faint hearted!
A view from the top of the wall.
Old fortresses and castles that were points of strength over ones enemies.
The work on these walls must have been grueling.
One understands the positioning of being poised from a spot high above the coastline to see pirates and marauders.
This old walled city boasts the only “ cat museum” and the sign in the pit behind Dan asks for money to support the cats and museum. The cats were everywhere and seemed to be revered and well taken care of.
Outdoor cafes and intimate seating filled the alleyways and courtyards.
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Next stop Kotor, Montenegro
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