Dubrovnik!!

Let me just begin by saying that Croatia is a hidden gem.  It is basically unknown as a vacation destination, I think, by Americans, but people, get to know this country!  It is BEAUTIFUL!  We spent time in the northern part (Split) 2 summers ago and fell in love.  Well, Dubrovnik is even more spectacular than Split, so what is stronger than love?  I don't know, but that's how we feel about Croatia!

Aidan's holding the map of the town, with the city wall in the background

Dubrovnik's Old Town, is all walled in, but you can walk on the walls, which we did later in the day. Here we are walking on the Stradun, main street of Old Town.  The streets are made from some kind of smooth stone, and it is SO clean, you can practically eat off it. There are all sorts of alley ways and little streets branching off invitingly for you to explore and just get lost.

At the end of Stradun, is the the Bell Tower and Orlando's Column where most of the "action" took place back in the day.  You can see this Bell Tower from everywhere when you are on the wall as it's the tallest thing in town.

Dubrovnik is cut into the side of a mountain at the Adriatic Sea's edge.  The water is just a cliff's drop away outside of the city wall.  Here we are at the old port.  There is quite the mix of sailboats, fishing boats, and yachts at dock here.

We wanted to find a restaurant/bar known to locals as "the hole in the wall" which Chris and Missy had told us about.  Unfortunately, being that it isn't peak season it's not open yet.  Not that there is really anything to open, as it's just a flat piece of cliff jutting out over the sea with holes in the ground for umbrellas!  We wandered the cliffs for a bit and enjoyed the view, and were actually happy the restaurant wasn't open, as we'd have most likely never left!

Entering the hole in the wall

We spent an hour or so on the city wall.  I think we took 50 or more pics up here, as the views just kept getting better!  It was so cool to see the Old Town from above and kind of understand the damage the war in 1991 did.  All the bright orange tiles are those replaced after the war, the darker brownish ones are originals.  Plus, you just can't beat the views of the sea and islands off the coast.

My attempt at an artistic shot

Looking down on Stradun

Of all the ports we visited on this trip, Dubrovnik is one we all want to return to and spend a lot of time at.  Aidan loved the Old Town, although he can't put into words why.  We bought a lovely painting of the plaza in front of the bell tower.  We'd love to someday sail around the islands too, as that is one of the major tôurist itineraries.  And, the best thing about Croatia, is that since it is Eastern Europe, prices are still pretty low here!