Day 3 Explore Dubrovnik
* Destination: Dubrovnik
* Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
* Accommodations: Hotel Lero
Breakfast: Served at our hotel starting around 7am, featuring European options.
Morning: Around 9am, we'll gather for a Welcome Briefing with our Trip Experience Leader in the hotel. During this 45-minute briefing, we will introduce ourselves and review our itinerary in more detail (including any changes that may need to occur). Our Trip Experience Leader will also discuss logistics, safety and emergency procedures, and answer questions we may have — this is your chance to get them answered firsthand, whether you have questions about a particular optional tour, how much free time you'll have during your first stay in Dubrovnik, specific activities or places you are hoping to see, and beyond.
Then around 10am, we'll board a city bus and ride by public transportation to the gates of Dubrovnik's Old Town, Croatia's crowning jewel, arriving around 15 minutes later. Situated on a rocky spur at the country's southernmost tip, Dubrovnik is renowned for its medieval walls and historic monuments. Today, Dubrovnik's character reflects its storied past as an independent city-state that rivaled Venice. Also known by its Latin name, Ragusa, this was a fortress city that served as the base for a fleet of ships that carried trade between much of Europe and the Middle East. The city-state's period of autonomy extended from 1358 to 1808 and endowed it with a wealth of historic architecture.
In spite of heavy damage sustained during the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, the city has regained its former splendor with the help of UNESCO. O.A.T. contributed to the restoration of Dubrovnik's main promenade, the Placa, through a donation from Grand Circle Foundation. Around 10:45am, we'll meet our local guide and embark on a 45-minute walking tour which includes visits to the fortified town center. We'll also stop by the local market, where we'll have the opportunity to get to know a few of the vendors and shoppers, and try a few local specialties like arancini (sweet candied orange peels).
Our tour ends at a 11:30am, and we'll then have an hour before lunch to either explore independently, or join our Trip Experience Leader to discover more of Dubrovnik.
Lunch: Gather at a local restaurant at around 12:30pm for a Welcome Lunch.
Afternoon: Following lunch around 1:30pm, your afternoon is free to explore Dubrovnik. You may wish to remain in Old Town and spend more time along the Placa (also called Stradun), visit the 15th-century Rector's Palace, or walk atop the city's ancient ramparts (a little over a mile in length), where you can enjoy views of the rooftops of Old Town and out into the blue Adriatic. Or, you can return to your hotel and use your all-day bus pass to explore another part of the city.
Dinner: On your own during your free afternoon in Dubrovnik. Perhaps you'll sample one of the many restaurants in Old Town, which often specialize in seafood. You may return to the hotel by city bus whenever you like.
Evening: The rest of the evening is yours to rest, write in your travel journal, or reflect on your day in Dubrovnik.
* Destination: Dubrovnik
* Included Meals: Breakfast, Lunch
* Accommodations: Hotel Lero
Breakfast: Served at our hotel starting around 7am, featuring European options.
Morning: Around 9am, we'll gather for a Welcome Briefing with our Trip Experience Leader in the hotel. During this 45-minute briefing, we will introduce ourselves and review our itinerary in more detail (including any changes that may need to occur). Our Trip Experience Leader will also discuss logistics, safety and emergency procedures, and answer questions we may have — this is your chance to get them answered firsthand, whether you have questions about a particular optional tour, how much free time you'll have during your first stay in Dubrovnik, specific activities or places you are hoping to see, and beyond.
Then around 10am, we'll board a city bus and ride by public transportation to the gates of Dubrovnik's Old Town, Croatia's crowning jewel, arriving around 15 minutes later. Situated on a rocky spur at the country's southernmost tip, Dubrovnik is renowned for its medieval walls and historic monuments. Today, Dubrovnik's character reflects its storied past as an independent city-state that rivaled Venice. Also known by its Latin name, Ragusa, this was a fortress city that served as the base for a fleet of ships that carried trade between much of Europe and the Middle East. The city-state's period of autonomy extended from 1358 to 1808 and endowed it with a wealth of historic architecture.
In spite of heavy damage sustained during the breakup of Yugoslavia in the early 1990s, the city has regained its former splendor with the help of UNESCO. O.A.T. contributed to the restoration of Dubrovnik's main promenade, the Placa, through a donation from Grand Circle Foundation. Around 10:45am, we'll meet our local guide and embark on a 45-minute walking tour which includes visits to the fortified town center. We'll also stop by the local market, where we'll have the opportunity to get to know a few of the vendors and shoppers, and try a few local specialties like arancini (sweet candied orange peels).
Our tour ends at a 11:30am, and we'll then have an hour before lunch to either explore independently, or join our Trip Experience Leader to discover more of Dubrovnik.
Lunch: Gather at a local restaurant at around 12:30pm for a Welcome Lunch.
Afternoon: Following lunch around 1:30pm, your afternoon is free to explore Dubrovnik. You may wish to remain in Old Town and spend more time along the Placa (also called Stradun), visit the 15th-century Rector's Palace, or walk atop the city's ancient ramparts (a little over a mile in length), where you can enjoy views of the rooftops of Old Town and out into the blue Adriatic. Or, you can return to your hotel and use your all-day bus pass to explore another part of the city.
Dinner: On your own during your free afternoon in Dubrovnik. Perhaps you'll sample one of the many restaurants in Old Town, which often specialize in seafood. You may return to the hotel by city bus whenever you like.
Evening: The rest of the evening is yours to rest, write in your travel journal, or reflect on your day in Dubrovnik.
Sharon had a rough night and ended up spending the day in the room.
After a buffet breakfast in the hotel, I went to the orientation meeting at 8:20 am. Our guide walked through the itinerary for trip as well as the ground rules. We did a round robin to introduce ourselves. The group includes five couples and six women.
The group got together at 9:45 am and walked to the bus stop. We took a bus to the Pile Gate. From there, we met a local guide and did a walking tour of the old city. The guide did a nice job outlining the history of the city and talking about the war in the 1990s. She lived through the wars as seven year old. Although I am not sure what limitations the guide have, I thought that the walking tour could have covered a little more of the city.
After the walking tour, the group had lunch at Lucin Kantun. I had seafood rissoto.
After lunch, Holly and Van took off to walk the walls. Striking off on my own, I visited the church next to the Francisian Montesary, the Ethographical Museum and the Rector's Palace.
The Ethnographical Museum showcases the rich cultural heritage of the region. Located in the old grain elevator, the museum offers visitors a glimpse into the traditional way of life of the people of Dubrovnik and its surrounding areas. Highlights include: Traditional Costumes; Household Items, and; Folk Art.
holding the city in his hands
The palace is a blend of Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles, with features such as ornate stonework and arched windows. It has a beautiful courtyard, surrounded by arcades and featuring a central fountain.
At this point, I stopped at the Buz Bar for a cold drink. Afterwards, I walked back to the hotel.
Feeling a little better, Sharon got cleaned up and dressed for dinner. Holly, Van, Sharon and I took an Uber to the Police Gate. We finished the day with dinner at the Michelin star Restaurant 360 overlooking the old port harbor. Sharon had TORTELINI [Taleggio cheese / Veal shank / Demi-glace / Sage] and PIGEON [Onion cream / Kohlrabi & pear / Walnut / Caper sauce]. I had the five course tasting menu with the wine pairing. It included:
- MALO MORE [Oysters / XO sauce / Fennel cream / Beurre blanc / Crispy caviar]
- PESKAFONDO [Fried and stuffed calamari / Citrus gel / Smoked sauce]
- POPARA 2.0 [Sea bass / Fish soup / Potatoes au vin / Stuffed mussels]
- KOMARDA [Lamb confit / Fava beans / Sheep yoghurt / Lamb jus]
- MANTALA [Carob biscuit / Bitter orange mousse / Mantala ice cream]
After dinner, we got an Uber from the Polce Gate back to the Hotel Lero. Sharon and I crashed hard just before 10 pm.
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