Leaving Dubrovnik, feeling sad.

[ColinOfficeTrolley]

AIBU? Anyone ever been on holiday that feels a bit more special than any other holiday? I know it's why holidays are holidays. If we could come all the time it wouldn't be special, but me, DH and 16 yo (just finished her GCSE's) DD booked this because of Game of Thrones, to sightsee etc. But honestly, this place is so breathtaking. We only came for a week and it's been the most I've packed into a week. Normally I'm a lazy bastard. Lounge by the pool/out in the evening type of person, but that's just not an option here.

There are so, so, so many fucking steps, and we're in an air BnB near the top, but the views,. THE VIEWS!!!!!!!

I am going to miss it SO much.

I mean, I'm not screaming in the Sistene Chapel or anything like that, just feeling a bit deflated, watching the sunrise from the balcony and feeling a pang of melancholy.

We stayed in Lapad, I agree, it was lovely.

I can highly recommend Kotor in Montenegro, it’s a very beautiful old town. Sarajevo in Bosnia is a fantastic city too, as is Mostar in the Herzegovina region. Very east meets west with Ottoman architecture and the bazaars. Try Ćevapi when there, the Bosnians do it the best imo (I say this as a Serb).

We went in lockdown in the summer between lockdown 2 and 3 I think it was. Bargain on Hotel More and no cruise ships. Shame steps were empty. It was bliss. Then went onto Split. Lovely place.

Aww Dubrovnik was mine and DH’s first holiday together, and it was amazing. A local told me the people of Dubrovnik have strong hearts and weak knees 😂 the apartment stayed in was a dump but apart from that I’d love to go back.

We stayed in an air BnB. I know that's frowned upon on MN, but our apartment was honestly amazing.

I can send the link privately if anyone is interested.

It was less than £1k and flights were too so less than £2k for the week.

Apartment had air con and was a home from home. The hosts had thought of everything.

2 bedroom but only for 3 people.

I would say that we kind of missed a pool when we just wanted a chill, but out views were out of this world and spent many an hour watching the harbour.

It was a trek tho but Ubers are cheap enough.

Tip! Uber or bolt only. Local taxis charge an absolute fortune

We're home now and I'm missing the place, but was happy to get home to our doggo. She's been spoiled but we did miss her.

Ladies, I apologise for my spelling, as English is not my first language.
Mostar (B&H) and Kotor (Montenegro, which used to be part of the Dubrovnik Republic) are lovely places to visit; however, I do not recommend going there in the peak of the season (July and August). It's not part of the EU and you could wait for hours at the border. There is no motorway, and so many people (Albanians living in Europe, especially Italy) are driving through on the way to Albania. It's hot and you will wait for hours at the border. Please visit those places out of the peak season.
I highly recommend going to the island of Lokrum and you can easily stay the whole day.
Get 3-day passes, visit the City Walls (please do it in the early morning), the museum, and the galleries, and it gives you a free pass on the local buses.
The Elafhity island whole day tour is definitely worth it. My brother does this tour but I'm not going to advertise it unless you ask.
Paronama restaurant in the sunset is lovely, the cable car is 30 euros per person return and it takes 2 min. Please use Uber or tuk tuk, much cheaper.
Karaka sunset cruise ....
Konoba Dubrava serves local food, definitely worth it as we local go there all the year around.
Konavle, Konavoski Dvori, my husband and I love Konoba Vinica.
Lapad is a lovely area to stay but if you want the local vibe please consider Rozat, Prije or by the river ( our house is there). Bus 1a and 1 b run every 10 min and it takes you straight to Old Town, so easy.
If you are staying in Old Town please do not hire a car as the parking is a nightmare.
Sorry for the essay.
Dubrovnik is truly a beautiful, small town. It is incredibly safe.

@Dubrovnikgirl amazing post. Agree with all you have said ❤️❤️

Is it really expensive? We're going half board so won't need to buy food. I'd usually take £200 spending money for a week but people on the FB page are saying you need £15]0 per day for a couple!

Dubrovnik is expensive. Local people feel it too and our wages are not as high as the rest of Europe.. Food in England is much cheaper.
When tourists say it's expensive, we want to cry, as that's our daily life.
Let me give you a tip, you can pay for your meal in the restaurant by credit card and in Croatia, there is no option to add 5% or 10 % on the machine, like in England, so you leave the tip on the table, but you don't need to. Croatia is not like America.
If your bill comes to 95 euros, just round it to 100.
If you are going half board, take some money to pay for drinks and ice cream when in town.
If you don't leave a tip, people are ok with it, so don't feel pressured.
If you are in Old Town in the evening, I strongly recommend going to Banje Beach for a drink or Porporela, where you can bring your own drink and relax. Porporela is my favourite place from my childhood.

If half board , you don't need 150 per day as a couple unless you want to do tours.
Where are you staying?

Completely understand! Got married in Dubrovnik in 2017, before it became too popular. Absolutely beautiful 😊

We got married I September 2009 in Dubrovnik , my husbands family and friends come over from Surrey. As my family has a hotel, they were given a free accommodation.
Its a shame that massive tourism has now taken over but it's still an unspoiled place and nothing like a Spain.
I don't want to sound horrible and my apologies for saying this but you go to the Dubrovnik for the culture and the feel of the unspoiled town, it's not like a Spain where you get a Pint of 1 euro and full English breakfast, we don't even have a McDonald's.

@Dubrovnikgirl we're staying at The Grand Hotel Park. I think it was called Park Gardens last time we were there.

Hotel is good, not amazing but the location is great. You have a beach near by, Uvala Lapad, it's pebbly but sandy once you get in the water.

Its a nice walk around to Babin Kuk alongside the sea. Please do this walk, it's worth it.have a drink at Hotel More, there is a cave where you can walk in as it has been recently discovered during of renovations of the hotel.
Bus number 6 will take you to Old Town which is a last stop.
Water from the fountain is drinkable so take a bottle which you can fill up.
Go to Porporela, my favourite place. Sit on the bench , and Lokrum Island is at the front.
Close your eyes and listen to the sound of the water. Life is good.

If you want to go outside of Dubrovnik I would recommend Cavtat or Srebreno which is much closer.
Its definitely worth paying for a day tour of Elaphiti islands, kalamota, Lopud, beach Sunj and take a tuc tuc to take you to the other side of the island which takes 10 min.
Going to Dubrovnik is not all about staying in the old town, it's about seeing other places. It's about experiencing how people of Dubrovnik live.
Dubrovnik is the safest and friendliest place you can experience.
I'm going there 27th July for 3 weeks so if you want to meet up please let me know.

ooh, great ask. It obviously depends what you like, I have been to Prague 3 times, and it is a fab city. Lots to see and do, and everyone loves the statues on Charles Bridge, but they are not the originals. The originals are at Vysehrad, north of the City, easily accessible by public transport. They are underground and if you go on the tour you get to through the casemates (underground city walls for moving troops) to get to them, in itself a great experience, and get to know about the protection of Prague. The statues are in a large impressive underground room. I think we went in because it was on a Prague city sightseeing card, but we were very glad we did, I don't think it is expensive even if you do not have the card. The only thing I would say is the entrance is not that easy to find, and you have to pick your time to get the English tour. It is probably my favourite experience in Prague. Enjoy x

@Dubrovnikgirl i wonder if i could ask your opinion please? I am looking stay at Sun Gardens Dubrovnik hotel, do you have an opinion on that? Location etc? we plan on staying there a week and will do a few day trips and a few hotel days. 2 adults and 2 children age 8 and 10. thanks a lot!

This is very true. In July and August it gets very busy if traveling by road, especially at the main border between Croatia and Montenegro. If you intend to do it, then avoid the main border and instead use the Nijvice-Konfin crossing as it’s less busy.

Ooh ooh ! Thinking of this for next year . Are DC 7 and 8 too young? Can anyone recommend specific hotels for kids there ? Thank you and sorry to piggy back.

Sun Gardens is a lovely hotel; however, it's 15 km from Dubrovnik, and buses run every few hours. It's in Orasac, so please check Google Maps. If doing the Elaphiti islands boat tour, they can collect you from the hotel. Trsteno is not far and worth visiting, and Game of Thrones was filmed there.
Kids will have lots of fun in the hotel, it's really a great hotel with an outside swimming pool and the beach at the front. Don't forget beach shoes.

Check Valamar hotels in Babin Kuk, Sheraton in Srebreno or any accommodation in Srebreno or Mlini. Cavtat as well.
Your children are not too young, they will love it.
Pack beach shoes and sun protection as it gets really hot.
Last week mum told me it was 30c at midnight for a few days so make sure the accommodation has got air-conditioning.

If you are looking at Airbnb, please consider places like Rozat, Prijevor or N Mokosici, there are lovely places by the river Ombla and much cheaper then Dubrovnik. Local buses run every 10 min and take you straight to Old Town.

Personally I think October is an amazing time to go

I loved Rixos hotel

Just got home after a lovely week in Dubrovnik but it was too hot for us so curtailed what we did a little - no long walks etc

We did a lovely trip into the countryside to see local food and wine products and took the boat across to Cavtat.