2024 Crossroads of the Adriatic - Day #4 - Dubrovnik, Croatia

Day 2 Arrive Dubrovnik, Croatia

* Destination: Dubrovnik, Croatia
* Included Meals: Dinner
* Accommodations: Hotel Lero

At your hotel, you'll meet your fellow travelers, including those who took our Albania: Undiscovered Balkans pre-trip extension. Though it depends on the exact hotel where we'll be staying, many will feature an on-site bar, restaurant, wellness center, and spa. Typical rooms include a satellite TV, a mini bar, a safe, wireless Internet access, and a private bath with a hair dryer.

Later, around 4pm, our Trip Experience Leader will introduce us to the area with an approximately 30-minute orientation walk, pointing out locations you may need during your stay in Dubrovnik, such as ATMs, pharmacies, post offices, and restaurants.

Dinner: you will enjoy dinner around 6 pm either at a local restaurant (where our orientation walk will end), or at our hotel, each featuring a selection of international and Croatian fare.

Evening: After dinner around 7:45pm, we'll walk the short distance back to our hotel if we've dined at the restaurant (approximately 10 minutes), where you'll enjoy the rest of the night at leisure. Perhaps you'll enjoy a drink at the hotel bar with your fellow travelers, or stroll along one of Dubrovnik's many seaside promenades.

Freedom To Explore: Make the most of your explorations in Dubrovnik on these off-the-beaten path activities. These recommendations are designed by our team of local experts with women travelers in mind.

Discover handcrafted jewelry at Dubrovnik Treasures: Established in 2009, this boutique is owned by a brother and sister duo whose passion for design and craftsmanship turned into a small business. Each piece is a unique work of art inspired by Dubrovnik's rich cultural heritage and uses precious metals and colorful stones, including the region's distinctive Adriatic coral, freshwater pearls, and more.

• How to get there: A 10-minute taxi ride, about $18 USD one way.
• Hours: 9am-5pm, Saturday-Thursday.
• Cost:

Enjoy a drink and an unforgettable view at Mala Buza Bar: "Buza" translates to "hole-in-the-wall," but this bar isn't your typical dive. Built directly into the rugged cliffs Dubrovnik's city wall, Buza Bar is popular amongst the locals as a place to enjoy a drink while gazing out over the harbor and sea, including lush Lokrum Island off in the distance. The bar doubles as a swimming hole, and you can watch as adventurous young patrons dive off the cliff into the waters below.

• How to get there: A 10-minute taxi ride, about $18 USD one way.
• Hours: 9am-2am Saturday-Thursday, closed Friday.
• Cost: Drinks cost about $5 USD each.

Although we had a late night, I had trouble sleeping late. I finally got up about 6:30 am. Sharon slept until after 7 am. We lounged in the room.

Eventually, we got organized and caught an Uber to the Pile Gate. Wandering down The Stradun, we had a light breakfast at Cele. Sharon had the CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST [two croissants served with marmalade, butter, and honey], while I had GRANOLA [Homemade granola made of rolled oats, nuts, honey served with fresh fruits and greek yogurt].

We spent a lazy day wandering the city. Stops included: the Church of Saint Blaise; the Catholic Cathedral; the Serbian Orthodox Church; a drink at the Buza Bar II; lunch at Dubravka 1836 Restaurant and Cafe; the Francisian Montasary; shopping at Dubrovnik Treasures, and; the Love Stories Musuem.

The Church of Saint Blaise is a prominent Roman Catholic church. It is dedicated to Saint Blaise, the patron saint of the city.

The Cathedral of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary is a stunning Roman Catholic cathedral located in the heart of the city. After a devastating earthquake struck Dubrovnik in 1667 destroying much of the city, including the previous cathedral, it was rebuilt in built in a Baroque style between 1671 and 1713. It contains an interesting treasury with a number of relics, including "Jesus' diapers!" I read The Relic Master last year and found the subject fascinating. There was also a Titian painting behind the altar and some interesting stations of cross.

We stopped at the Buza Bar. It was actually closed. There were waves breaking on the rocks of the bar. We wandered down to the Buza Bar II, had a cold drink and watched the angry sea.

Within the Franciscan Monastery stone walls are a gorgeous mid-14th-century cloister, a historic pharmacy and a small museum with a collection of relics and liturgical objects, including chalices, paintings and gold jewellery, and pharmacy items such as laboratory gear and medical books.

We had lunch outside the Pile Gate at DUBRAVKA 1836 RESTAURANT & CAFÉ. I had Octopus salad (octopus, tomatoes, onion, olives, capers, olive oil), while Sharon had Seafood risotto.


Sharon stopped at Dubrovnik Treasures. She had bought a necklace there on Thursday. She bought a matching bracelet.

The Love Stories Museum is a unique and romantic museum dedicated to celebrating love and relationships. It offers visitors a glimpse into the history of love and courtship, as well as the stories of famous couples associated with the city.

We caught a cab back to the hotel about 4 pm. Holly and Van got to the hotel about the same time. Unfortunately, Van's luggage got lost along the way. Like yesterday afternoon, it started rain heavily within an hour of returnning to the hotel.

We planned to meet Holly and Van in the lobby about 6:40 pm. Unfortunately, Sharon got very physically sick. I think that she has food poisoning from something she ate at lunch.

With the tour leader meeting a group coming from a pre-tour in Albania, the schedule shifted slightly. There was no walking tour before dinner. I ended up join the group for the Welcome Dinner at 7:00 pm and sitting between Holly and Van. The dinner was a buffet dinner in the restaurant at the hotel.