Plane.Train.Car.Foot: Dubrovnik

Beautiful Dubrovnik!

Alex and I arrived from Montenegro to our awesome hostel right outside of the western Pile Gate. Cheap and centrally located with an amazing host, Marko, to give us some tips on the best spots in town. After staying in around 100 different hotels, we have become experts in hospitality. I can't tell you how many we have walked into and the people behind the counter hardly even make eye contact. Then you run across the Markos of the world and they make sure you are comfortable and get out the maps and highlight the best pizza joints and swimming areas. Not bad for $50 a night.

View of the characteristic terra cotta rooftops, white limestone buildings and while marble pedestrian alleys along Stradun, Dubrovnik's main street. It is really hard to imagine that about 20 years, after declaring its independence from Yugoslavia, Croatia was attacked by Serbian-Montenegrin members of the JNA (Yugoslav People's Army) declaring that Dubrovnik was actually part of Montenegro. The seige lasted 6 months and about 120 civilians were killed. Most of the damage has been repaired but there are a few spots in the city wheer artillary damage can still be seen. Bright, new terracotta roofs are also a clear sign of buildings that were damaged during the encounter.

Things are pretty mellow now.

Women selling lavender sachets and crocheted textiles on a quite back street.

The pedestrian alleys were filled with touristy shopping and cafes. This is definitely the most crowded place we have been in a while and its easy to see why, the town is walkable and beautiful. We couldn't walk one block without hearing the buzzing horns of the World Cup being played at cafes on outdoor tv's. An awesome place to have a coffee or glass of wine and catch up on the latest match.

The medieval town walls are perfectly preserved and are open to tourists to walk the 2km perimeter. It was great. One side you have beautiful views of the Mediterranean and the other you have sweeping views out over the town.