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Dubrovnik, a destination for all

Visiting Dubrovnik, the Picture Perfect Fort City

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Hello Dubrovnik

We arrived in Dubrovnik on a late afternoon.

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The small fountain in Dubrovnik is a good spot for pictures and a delicious drink of water. But, you'll need a water bottle with a large opening.
The small fountain in Dubrovnik is a good spot for pictures and a delicious drink of water. But, you’ll need a water bottle with a large opening or it will be a game of water splashing and catching.

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Dubrovnik by Morning

With our jet lag we woke early in the morning. It was a great time to walk around the old town because we had it all to our selves.

Waking up to a quiet town.
Waking up to a quiet town.
Most of the buildings on Dubrovnik's main road look the same, for centuries. Notice the entrances.
Most of the buildings on Dubrovnik’s main road look the same, for centuries. Notice the entrances. It’s a common pattern in this region.
Very unusual but typical doors on Dubrovnik stores.
Very unusual but typical doors on Dubrovnik stores.

The town starts to get busy around 8-9am. The town is a popular stop on many cruise ship itineraries. On days that cruise ships arrive it gets extremely busy. We got lucky because there were none on our full day here. There was one on the afternoon we arrived and three on the morning we left!

Dubrovnik by Evening

Dubrovnik has wonderful night life. Here’s contrast of morning and evening –

Before 6am in Dubrovnik. It was just us, the delivery and the cleaning crews.
Before 6am in Dubrovnik. It was just us, the delivery and the cleaning crews.

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One of the many allies, quite in the morning notice the typical name signs on the lamps.
One of the many allies, quite in the morning notice the typical name signs on the lamps.

Vegetarian Food in Dubrovnik

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My dinner at Nishta vegan restaurant
My dinner at Nishta vegan restaurant was delicious with some really interesting ingredients. They have quite an flavorful menu and a recipe book to go with it. We also ordered an Indian plate but it wasn’t very good. I would recommend staying with a European option.
The classic food of the region, Burek, comes with a variety of fillings - cheese, spinach, meats, cherries etc.
The classic food of the region, Burek, comes with a variety of fillings – cheese, spinach, meats, cherries etc.

The food across the South Slavic countries varies a little, but Burek is one traditional dish we found everywhere.

Pop Culture in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is a popular filming destination for shows and movies like Robin Hood, Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones. Mostly Dubrovnik is a super popular pop-culture destination because of ‘Game of Thrones’, now coming up with its last season. When they’re filming the show, the entire old town is shutdown and residents are moved out. Naturally it’s filmed in winter times, when there are no tourists.

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The show generates huge revenues with the many tours, tourists and souvenirs for die hard fans. So, the inconvenience with filming must be worth it.
The show generates huge revenues with the many tours, tourists and souvenirs for die hard fans. So, the inconvenience with filming must be worth it.

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Game of Thrones souvenir shops are everywhere. Its an awesome treat for the many fans that come here.
Game of Thrones souvenir shops are everywhere. Its an awesome treat for the many fans that come here every day.

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The top night club in Dubrovnik is in a fortress, I believe it's this one but I'm not sure. If you've been there, please leave a comment to confirm or correct.
The top night club in Dubrovnik is in a fortress, I believe it’s this one but I’m not sure. If you’ve been there, please leave a comment to confirm or correct.

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All the popular DJs come here to showcase their work in this university town with many young people and tourists. The massive nightclubs attract tourists and local party goers alike.

Dubrovnik Gate Over the Moat

Selfie at the main entrance of Dubrovnik old town, marked by the moat and a big gate.
We have to take a selfie at the main entrance of Dubrovnik old town, marked by the moat and a big gate.
Looking out from the old town to the rest of Dubrovnik. Notice the machinery used to operate the main gate.
Looking out from the old town to the rest of Dubrovnik is such a contrast of old and new. Notice the machinery used to operate the main gate.

Green Market, a Farmers Market in Dubrovnik

Right behind the cathedral is a farmers market (known as Green Market). It opens everyday at 8am to 1pm. It’s the best place to get fruit, vegetables, candied rind and fruit bread (with 40-80% alcohol) for the stay. It’s not as inexpensive as the roadside stalls in Albania and Bosnia but great for being in Dubrovnik.

Picking out fruit and tomatoes for breakfast in our apartment.
Picking out fruit and tomatoes for breakfast in our apartment.
Farmers from around the city come to sell their delicious produce to the city folk every morning.
Farmers from around the city come to sell their delicious produce to the city folk every morning.
Lavender pouches are a popular souvenir in this regions. They come in all shapes. This is my favorite.
Lavender pouches are a popular souvenir in this regions. They come in all shapes. This is my favorite.

 

Fun Facts about Dubrovnik

Cats – The city has lots of fat cats lazying around everywhere. That’s because of the many fish restaurants and old ladies that take good care of the cats. In return, the cats have helped prevent rat and plague problems for Dubrovnik.

Popular Names – Most popular names in Dubrovnik are Ivana and Ivan. There is even an Ivan square! When our guide’s mom calls out her name, Ivana, half a dozen girls turn to look!

Winter – Winter in Dubrovnik isn’t very cold or snowy. But the wind chill is insanely cold. It cuts through to the bones. So, there are no tourists. The residents have the island all to themselves. They have a large Christmas market and a phenomenal New Year’s celebration that locals enjoy by thoroughly. Even in July it was pretty windy but it felt good in the heat.

Neck Tie – Croatian say the Neck Tie originated in the Croatia. It is believed that a few hundred ago, when Croatian soldiers went to help France in a war, the French loved their neck scarves. The scarf became all the rage in Paris and led to the modern design of a Neck tie.

Outside the Croat Tie store stands a guy dressed as a soldier that started the Tie fashion.
Outside the Croat Tie store stands a guy dressed as a soldier that started the Tie fashion.

City Layout – The old town of Dubrovnik is very well planned in mostly perpendicular streets with the one Main Street (Stradun or Placa) that runs from east to the west end.

To the south streets are within the old town walls. To the north streets lead up the hill.

The streets north and perpendicular to Stradun are steep but the streets parallel to Stradun are flat and filled with cafes and shops.
The streets north and perpendicular to Stradun are steep but the streets parallel to Stradun are flat and filled with cafes and shops.

Dubrovnik is probably the most expensive city and the most popular destination of the region. But it’s special and totally worth a visit. I’ll highly recommend a visit if you’re in the area.


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