Discovering Dubrovnik

As perfect as it was to begin our trip in Rome, Italy it was just as perfect to end our trip in Dubrovnik, Croatia. From Bari, Italy we boarded an overnight ferry to this exotic and breathtaking country. Once we stepped foot off the ferry, it was like entering another world.

Dubrovnik has such a particular look to itself. It even seemed to have a certain color-scheme: orangey-cream houses, whites and greys. Everything fit together, but everything stood out, from the green hillsides to the terraces overlooking the sea.

Since Dubrovnik is truly just a pretty city to wander and discover, we developed a pattern to what we did there: visiting the Old City, eating on terraces, walking to the docks and wandering the streets.

The Old City is bordered by huge, stone city walls that you can pay to literally walk on. This way you can see down into the little town and also out into the astonishing ocean views all at the same time. We walked the entire parameter of the Old City, which surprisingly took us about an hour.

Walking inside the Old City is an experience in itself. It is paved with white marble and surrounded by beautiful architectural buildings from churches to even little storefronts. The shopping street was obviously one of my favorite areas, but mostly because I learned that Dubrovnik is actually known for its jewelry. Long ago, women used to wear certain shapes and colors of earrings and bracelets in order to distinguish what area they were from, their social class, etc. So of course I had to buy a pair :) Croatian coral is now my new favorite color.

We delighted ourselves in Croatia's seafood, from seafood paella to grilled fish (literally a bucket of grilled fish...eyes staring back at you and all). We took advantage of the open plazas and afterwards walked off the food and drinks by simply taking in the views of the city.

Dubrovnik has a very relaxed and carefree culture. I only wish I could have been there in the summer because I'm sure it's fantastic. One of my favorite local spots in Dubrovnik was the Buza Bar. This is a local gathering place with one small bar and tables set up all along the cliffs that lead down to the ocean. You can literally swing your legs out over a cliff and sip on a Croatian beer with your friends. In the summer, people actually come to jump off the cliffs as well.

I dub Dubrovnik one of the most beautiful places I've been to in Europe (right up there with San Sebastian, Spain).

It was the perfect end to the perfect trip. Spring break 2015=success.

#travel