Romantic Getaway in Dreamy Dubrovnik, Croatia
HOW WE GOT THERE
We planned this trip sort of last minute so with it being July and peak season in Croatia, we opted to purchase two round-trip tickets to make things a little cheaper. Our first flight was from Chicago to Dublin (AerLingus) and the other a few hours later from Dublin to Dubrovnik (RyanAir). No joke, we picked Dubrovnik because it was the cheapest flight that RyanAir offered the day we booked.
Flying in and out of Dublin is usually very enticing for us since a) you clear US customs in Dublin allowing you to arrive back in the US as a domestic flight just speeding up things in general and b) we usually spend about a week or so visiting family across Ireland!
We flew to Dubrovnik on RyanAir, which for those of you that don't know is a zero-frills, Irish airline that entices you with crazy cheap prices all over Europe. Flying RyanAir feels like that one meme where the flight attendant walks up and down the aisle selling you a tray table. You get what you pay for with RyanAir so you can't be too mad with delays and whatnot but we had minimal issues.
TIP: You'll typically find cheaper flights from the US into Dublin versus London, Paris, etc.!
WHERE WE STAYED
We usually never splurge on our accommodation but I'm so glad we did this trip. We wanted a hotel we could lounge around by the pool and ocean during the day with close proximity to town for evening dinners and nights out on the town.
The Hotel Dubrovnik Palace is a five-star hotel on the Lapad peninsula. It has modern amenities including two outdoor pools, an indoor pool, and a peaceful beach with swim ladders along the coastline for easy access to the sea. There were several restaurants onsite, a swim-up pool bar, and even a PADI diving center which meant it was the perfect place to camp out during the day. Since we visited in July, it was incredibly busy but we never had any trouble getting sun beds.
Our room was on the smaller side but still included a king bed and a large balcony overlooking the Adriatic Sea. Waking up and having our morning tea overlooking the Grebeni Lighthouse never got old and we were so sad to leave!
WHAT WE DID
This was my favorite excursion we did throughout our time in Dubrovnik. There are no words to describe the various shades of blue, crystal clear water, and stunning scenery, and give it the justice it deserves!
We booked about a month in advance and Lukša, the owner, communicated very effectively in coordinating our pick-up times. We paid €410 for a half day (4 hours) for the two of us which included a bottle of champagne. It was worth every single penny!
Peter, our captain, gave us some history of the area as he drove us along the coast, brought us to popular spots like the Blue Grotto, and whisked us away to local beaches where we were the only ones basking in the sun. I couldn't recommend booking with Rewind Dubrovnik any more!
Alex told a little fib and said his boss had recommended we check out this fortress before dinner. Now I know it was just his plot to get us o the top so he could pop the question but I'm so glad we were able to visit this structure that dates back to 1038 and sits 37 meters above sea level. It had spectacular views of the Old Town.
There were a lot of steps to get to the top so take your time and stop to take in the scenery. There was a ticket counter partway up where we could purchase a ticket for entrance. It was 50 Croatian Kuna last summer which is less than €2. If you purchase a ticket for a guided city walls tour, entrance to the fortress is included.
I want to give a little plug to our photographer, Nino Knezevic, who captured our engagement on top of the Fort Lovrijenac so perfectly! Alex used a company called XXX that connected him with local photographers in the area. If you know anyone who's planning an engagement, we'd highly recommend using this service.
The Old Town of Dubrovnik is completely pedestrianized and so much fun to explore! There are lots of shops, bars, restaurants, and steep, narrow streets to explore.
WHERE WE ATE
Truthfully, we were a little underwhelmed with the food in Croatia. We had read that there was a heavy influence from its Italian neighbor and had high expectations. That being said, we had one of the best meals of our lives at Nautika!
We were on cloud nine after having just gotten engaged on the top of Fort Lovrijenac but every single dish was out of this world. We dined outdoors on the upper terrace overlooking the fort at sunset and our waiter was so attentive and helpful with making suggestions.
Our hotel's concierge set up a reservation for us here. It was right by the water and a small harbor but we couldn't see anything because it was late haha. The food was truthfully just okay. Very truffle heavy but we had a lovely table outside and great service.
Restaurant Marco Polo was recommended to us by a hotel guest! Again another meal that was just okay. Its situated inside the Old Town walls on a private alley which was very quaint.
Everyone raved about Buza Bar but sadly it was closed when we were visiting Dubrovnik. It's a little adventure getting there, walking up narrow winding stairs throughout Old Town but the view is so worth it. You can jump off the cliffs and watch people kayak around the water below.
We weren't able to get a reservation here but it was highly recommended to us by an old college friend who runs Wanderluxe, a travel blog. I've linked her Dubrovnik guide below.
DAY TRIPS
We didn't take any day trips during this visit to Croatia but when I visited Split in 2017, I went to Krka National Park to see the famous waterfalls and to the little town of Mostar in Bosnia and Herzegovina. I highly recommend both of these places!
Krka National Park is located right off the Krka River and has many waterfalls, hikes, and scenery to enjoy. You used to be able to swim but it has since been banned to lower pollution and preserve the national park.
My goal in life is to visit every single country on Earth so when I heard that a day trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina was only 2 hours away, I leaped at the opportunity to check another country off. I had no expectations for Mostar and was blown away by the beauty of this country despite the tragedies it went through with its civil war from 1992 to 1995.
The biggest attraction in Mostar is the Stari Most or the Mostar Bridge that connects two parts of the city. It rained the entire time we were there so our activities were limited but we also visited the Peace Bell Tower and climbed to the very top! There were lots of little shops and markets to walk through that were selling all sorts of souvenirs.
Most memorable though is the various souvenirs crafted from old bullet casings from the civil war. A lot of the locals said they don't want to sell these as it reminds them of their war-stricken childhood but unfortunately, they sell well and provide a living for a lot of people.
OVERVIEW
Language(s): The official language is Croatian but English is commonly spoken.
Currency: Euro (€/EUR). As of January 1, 2023, Croatia switched from the Croatian Kuna to the Euro. Major credit cards are accepted but it's best to keep cash on you as a lot of places are cash only. 10% tips are customary for restaurants.
Climate: The climate is Mediterranean with hot, dry summers and cool, rainy winters. Temperatures usually are around 79°F to 86°F (26°C to 30°C) in the summer.
Best Time to Visit: May through October. July and August are the peaks of summer with lots of tourists and very hot temperatures. Although, we went at the end of July and it was great.
Public Transportation: There was a bus that went from Lapad to the Old Town. Taxis were also very easy to get but just make sure you're watching the meter as a couple of drivers tried to upcharge us.
Travel Tips: Croatia is getting increasingly more popular! My only travel tip is to book in advance and make reservations so you can see and do everything you want to!
Packing Tips: You'll want to pack lots of lightweight cloth options if you're traveling in the summer. The beaches are very rocky so consider packing some sort of water shoe.
If you have any other questions about visiting Dubrovnik or Croatia, please feel free to reach out! I love working with individuals directly to plan a custom itinerary that matches their expectations for their trip.
Just reach out to me directly (:
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