Dubrovnik is the new hot seaside resort in Europe
The new hot spot: Dubrovnik, Croatia. Indeed, crowds are once again flocking to this wondrous city on the southernmost stretch of Croatiaâs coast, as enchanted by its beauty today as the Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw, who once proclaimed, "If you want to see heaven on earth, come to Dubrovnik"...
While you may have first heard of this UNESCO World Heritage Site in the early 1990s, when images of a city under fire flashed across TV screens during the break-up of Yugoslavia, that episode of the city's history now seems a distant memory.
The city has been magnificently restored to its former glory to emerge as one of the most fashionable vacation spots in all of Europe.
Dubrovnik's resurgent popularity should come as no surprise, however â this âjewel of the Adriatic,â as the coastal resort town is often referred to in tourist brochures, is breathtakingly beautiful.
The city's fortified old town overlooks the dazzling Adriatic from a shelter of limestone cliffs and its marble-paved streets are lined with marvelously preserved churches, stately palaces, squares, and terracotta-roofed townhouses.
Meanwhile, down below, along the seaside coast, fine beaches beckon â as do a slew of offshore islands â making Dubrovnik uniquely appealing to history buffs and sun worshippers alike.
With all that it has to offer, you could easily fill an entire week exploring Dubrovnik's historical relics and beachside pursuits. With its compact old town, a whirlwind tour of the major sights can be handily accomplished in two to three days; add in some beach time and out-of-town excursions, and you've got seven days of vacation.
EXPLORING THE CITY
Dubrovnik's wonderfully scenic old town is a joy to explore on foot. While the area can definitely be discovered independently, we do recommend taking at least one guided walking tour to gain insight into its fascinating history, which dates from the 7th century.
Tours typically run about three-hours long and include strolls past (but not into) most of the attractions covered here. The local Atlas Travel Agency runs excellent city tours that cost about $30/person.
Any visit to Dubrovnik should start with a walk along the cityâs main claim to fame, its 25m-high fortifications (daily: MayâSept 9amâ7pm & OctâApril 9amâ3pm; $2.50; Gunduliceva Poljana 2, to the left after youâve entered the old town from the northernmost Pile Gate).
The 2km circuit will take you along the impressively preserved ramparts, parts of which date from the 10th century (most of the construction actually took place in the 13th); the stroll provides a terrific introduction to the city, with marvelous views of old town rooftops, domes, and church spires glimpsed along the way â just donât attempt this one-hour walk in the middle of a summer day, as thereâs no shade from the harsh sun.
The next major landmark to visit is the Rectorâs Palace (daily: JuneâSept 9amâ7pm & OctâMay MonâSat 9amâ1pm; $2.50; Pred Dvorom 3), which will give you a taste of Dubrovnik's 15th-century heyday, when it rivaled Venice as the most important trade center in the south Adriatic and was known instead as Ragusa.
This Gothic-Renaissance building once served as the seat of the Ragusan government (interestingly, city rectors couldnât leave the premises during their month-long terms, so the palace was a de facto prison!); today it houses the City Museum (same hours) with a smallish but informative collection of paintings, period furniture, and other historical tidbits, as well as a striking atrium used for classical concerts in the summer months.
Dubrovnik also boasts several important religious centers worth seeing. Youâll find a couple of impressive monasteries: the Dominican Monastery (daily: summer 9amâ6pm and winter 9amâ3pm; $1.70; Sv Domina 4), home to an orange treeâfilled Gothic cloister and museum showcasing religious paintings from the Golden Age; and the Franciscan Monastery (daily: summer 9amâ3pm; sporadic opening hours in winter; $1; Placa 2), site of the cityâs oldest pharmacy (allegedly also the oldest in all of Europe) and a curious collection of ancient medical books and laboratory equipment in its treasury.
The next point of interest not to be missed â literally! â is Dubrovnikâs grand cathedral (daily: 9amânoon & 3â7pm; $1.70; Poljana Marina Držica) with its remarkable Baroque architecture; head to the treasury to find a multi-paneled altar painting by Titian, the famed Renaissance master, and a relic skull of St. Blaise, Dubrovnikâs patron saint.
For a point of contrast, also be sure to visit the the cityâs 15th-century synagogue (weekdays 9amâ1pm; free; Žudioska 5), said to be the third oldest in all of Europe.
To round out your visit, head to Luža Square, anchored by the free-standing Orlandoâs Column, which dates from 1418.
Here youâll also find the architecturally eclectic Sponza Palace; it dates from 1522 and once served as a mint and custom house but today does duty as a summer venue for art exhibits and concerts.
Had enough history? Thereâs an aquarium inside St. Johnâs fortress (summer daily 10amâ6pm; winter MonâSat 9amâ3pm; $2.50; Damjana Jude 2) and a Museum of Modern Art (TuesâSun 10amâ5pm; $1.70; Put Frana Supila 23) that features works by contemporary Croatian artists.
HITTING THE BEACH
While you can spend days on end exploring Dubrovnikâs ancient monuments, not all is history-heavy in this sunny Adriatic city.
Dubrovnikâs coastal setting lends itself well to beach and poolside activities, too.
Several hotels have pools overlooking the old town; our favorite of these, the four-star Villa Argentina, is reviewed below. Even if you donât book yourself into a hotel with a pool, there are still plenty of beach options within easy reach.
You can catch some rays on the city beach, just east of the old town, below the 16th-century Lazareti complex that once quarantined city visitors for 40 days; the sand here gets pretty crowded in summer months. Another good spot is the recently renovated East West Beach Club on an excellent strip of sand close to the old town Ploce gate; you'll find beach chairs and food on hand.
The best bet of all, however, is across the bay from the beach club: the forested (and supposedly haunted) island of Lokrum, a mere 15-minute ferry ride away from the old town port and trimmed with a succession of pretty coves and rocky beaches; you'll also find a derelict 11th-century Benedictine monastery and a lush botanical garden to explore here when you need a break from tanning.
DAY TRIPS FROM DUBROVNIK
If you have the time, we also recommend making a couple of excursions outside Dubrovnik. The Trsteno Arboretum, a 16th-century clifftop villa estate with a spectacularly landscaped garden planted with oleander, rosemary, lavender, pomegranate and cypress trees (daily: summer 8amâ6pm & winter 8amâ4pm; $2), is just 45 minutes north along the coast.
Most buses heading north of town will stop here, so itâs easy to visit independently, but you can also join a half-day guided tour for about $35.
More useful info about Dubrovnik: http://www.dubrovnik-apartments.com/uslinks.htm
The city has been magnificently restored to its former glory to emerge as one of the most fashionable vacation spots in all of Europe.
Dubrovnik's resurgent popularity should come as no surprise, however â this âjewel of the Adriatic,â as the coastal resort town is often referred to in tourist brochures, is breathtakingly beautiful.
The city's fortified old town overlooks the dazzling Adriatic from a shelter of limestone cliffs and its marble-paved streets are lined with marvelously preserved churches, stately palaces, squares, and terracotta-roofed townhouses.
Meanwhile, down below, along the seaside coast, fine beaches beckon â as do a slew of offshore islands â making Dubrovnik uniquely appealing to history buffs and sun worshippers alike.
With all that it has to offer, you could easily fill an entire week exploring Dubrovnik's historical relics and beachside pursuits. With its compact old town, a whirlwind tour of the major sights can be handily accomplished in two to three days; add in some beach time and out-of-town excursions, and you've got seven days of vacation.
EXPLORING THE CITY
Dubrovnik's wonderfully scenic old town is a joy to explore on foot. While the area can definitely be discovered independently, we do recommend taking at least one guided walking tour to gain insight into its fascinating history, which dates from the 7th century.
Tours typically run about three-hours long and include strolls past (but not into) most of the attractions covered here. The local Atlas Travel Agency runs excellent city tours that cost about $30/person.
Any visit to Dubrovnik should start with a walk along the cityâs main claim to fame, its 25m-high fortifications (daily: MayâSept 9amâ7pm & OctâApril 9amâ3pm; $2.50; Gunduliceva Poljana 2, to the left after youâve entered the old town from the northernmost Pile Gate).
The 2km circuit will take you along the impressively preserved ramparts, parts of which date from the 10th century (most of the construction actually took place in the 13th); the stroll provides a terrific introduction to the city, with marvelous views of old town rooftops, domes, and church spires glimpsed along the way â just donât attempt this one-hour walk in the middle of a summer day, as thereâs no shade from the harsh sun.
The next major landmark to visit is the Rectorâs Palace (daily: JuneâSept 9amâ7pm & OctâMay MonâSat 9amâ1pm; $2.50; Pred Dvorom 3), which will give you a taste of Dubrovnik's 15th-century heyday, when it rivaled Venice as the most important trade center in the south Adriatic and was known instead as Ragusa.
This Gothic-Renaissance building once served as the seat of the Ragusan government (interestingly, city rectors couldnât leave the premises during their month-long terms, so the palace was a de facto prison!); today it houses the City Museum (same hours) with a smallish but informative collection of paintings, period furniture, and other historical tidbits, as well as a striking atrium used for classical concerts in the summer months.
Dubrovnik also boasts several important religious centers worth seeing. Youâll find a couple of impressive monasteries: the Dominican Monastery (daily: summer 9amâ6pm and winter 9amâ3pm; $1.70; Sv Domina 4), home to an orange treeâfilled Gothic cloister and museum showcasing religious paintings from the Golden Age; and the Franciscan Monastery (daily: summer 9amâ3pm; sporadic opening hours in winter; $1; Placa 2), site of the cityâs oldest pharmacy (allegedly also the oldest in all of Europe) and a curious collection of ancient medical books and laboratory equipment in its treasury.
The next point of interest not to be missed â literally! â is Dubrovnikâs grand cathedral (daily: 9amânoon & 3â7pm; $1.70; Poljana Marina Držica) with its remarkable Baroque architecture; head to the treasury to find a multi-paneled altar painting by Titian, the famed Renaissance master, and a relic skull of St. Blaise, Dubrovnikâs patron saint.
For a point of contrast, also be sure to visit the the cityâs 15th-century synagogue (weekdays 9amâ1pm; free; Žudioska 5), said to be the third oldest in all of Europe.
To round out your visit, head to Luža Square, anchored by the free-standing Orlandoâs Column, which dates from 1418.
Here youâll also find the architecturally eclectic Sponza Palace; it dates from 1522 and once served as a mint and custom house but today does duty as a summer venue for art exhibits and concerts.
Had enough history? Thereâs an aquarium inside St. Johnâs fortress (summer daily 10amâ6pm; winter MonâSat 9amâ3pm; $2.50; Damjana Jude 2) and a Museum of Modern Art (TuesâSun 10amâ5pm; $1.70; Put Frana Supila 23) that features works by contemporary Croatian artists.
HITTING THE BEACH
While you can spend days on end exploring Dubrovnikâs ancient monuments, not all is history-heavy in this sunny Adriatic city.
Dubrovnikâs coastal setting lends itself well to beach and poolside activities, too.
Several hotels have pools overlooking the old town; our favorite of these, the four-star Villa Argentina, is reviewed below. Even if you donât book yourself into a hotel with a pool, there are still plenty of beach options within easy reach.
You can catch some rays on the city beach, just east of the old town, below the 16th-century Lazareti complex that once quarantined city visitors for 40 days; the sand here gets pretty crowded in summer months. Another good spot is the recently renovated East West Beach Club on an excellent strip of sand close to the old town Ploce gate; you'll find beach chairs and food on hand.
The best bet of all, however, is across the bay from the beach club: the forested (and supposedly haunted) island of Lokrum, a mere 15-minute ferry ride away from the old town port and trimmed with a succession of pretty coves and rocky beaches; you'll also find a derelict 11th-century Benedictine monastery and a lush botanical garden to explore here when you need a break from tanning.
DAY TRIPS FROM DUBROVNIK
If you have the time, we also recommend making a couple of excursions outside Dubrovnik. The Trsteno Arboretum, a 16th-century clifftop villa estate with a spectacularly landscaped garden planted with oleander, rosemary, lavender, pomegranate and cypress trees (daily: summer 8amâ6pm & winter 8amâ4pm; $2), is just 45 minutes north along the coast.
Most buses heading north of town will stop here, so itâs easy to visit independently, but you can also join a half-day guided tour for about $35.
More useful info about Dubrovnik: http://www.dubrovnik-apartments.com/uslinks.htm