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One of our absolute favourite cities here in Croatia is Dubrovnik, we have visited the city numerous times, both privately as well as professionally, and every time we have had a great time in this historical pearl.

Historically Dubrovnik has always been very special, as the city was a republic it had a very interesting political system, the major / governor was elected for a period of only one month, this was done to avoid corruption and keep focus on working in the interest of the republic. – I am sure a few citizens around the world could benefit from a similar system in their country.

See more pictures from Dubrovnik here: Dubrovnik Pictures

Before the Balkan war Dubrovnik was the absolute top destination in Croatia, the war, where large parts of the old town was damaged, was of course a major set back for the city, but meanwhile the city has regained its position as one of the major tourist spots in Croatia. The old town of Dubrovnik has been completely rebuild, only visible evidence left from the Balkan war is the many new red roof tops in the old town.

When we go to Dubrovnik we normally take the coastal road from Split, which takes about 4 to 4.5 hours by car, the trips offers a magnificent view on the coast and the Dalmatian islands. If you follow the coastal road you will have to pass through Bosnia and Herzegovina about 60 km north of Dubrovnik, so please remember the following.

• Passport
• Not to bring any items, which are applicable to custom?
• It is wise not to speed in Bosnia, as you most likely will meet the police with a “laser pistol” checking your speed.

Alternative to going by car (or bus) is taking the local ferry line, which goes from Split, via Hvar and Korcula to Dubrovnik; we tried this once and can absolutely recommend it, although the trip takes around 9 hours.

Here is a fee tips which might be useful for a trip to Dubrovnik:

1. Parking

• Parking in Dubrovnik is relative expensive (1.5-2 Euro/hour) there are 3 parking spaces close to the wall, but before you decide to park on one of those you might read below where to find the no charge parking space, just 500 meters from Pile Gate.

This is how you find the no charge parking space:

• Follow the signs direction centre and later direction Hotel Hilton, when you pas Hilton on your right hand side, continue for about 150 meters, on your left hand you will see some green containers, here you have to turn left, follow the small road up hill and you are there (The best time to find a free space is early morning and late in the afternoon).

2. What to see or do while you are in Dubrovnik?

• The e wall which is the absolute highlight.
• The many churches inside the wall and the Cathedral.
• Visit the city part Gruz where you find the green market and lots of small streets with the most beautiful private gardens in Dubrovnik, (In this part of town you also find the largest supermarket – Konzum).
• Take a daytrip to National Park Mljet.
• Drive to Mline and Cavtat which is south of Dubrovnik.
• Rafting trip in Montenegro.

3. Prices and other useful stuff

• Dubrovnik is much more expensive then e.g. Split, but still 20-30% cheaper then e.g. Copenhagen
• The city beaches can be quite crowded, so get there early or go to the city part Babin Kuk instead.
• In main season June – September, you should book accommodation before you arrive, otherwise you risk ending up far away from the city centre.
• Ask your land lord for a pick up in the Airport, as it is quite expensive with a taxi.

Hope these few tips will be helpful on your trip, and I of course would be delighted of any feedback, which could be helpful for other travellers.

Here you can see a list of other interesting thinks we right about: Croatia Travel stories

And here you can see our 3000 pictures from Places we visited in Croatia: Pictures Croatia

There’s Island and two lakes extraordinary connected …name of that Island is Mljet.

Mljet is rich with forests because of that, he is known as the "Green Island". Fauna is so rich ,the sea is crystal and the sandy and gravel beaches are very attractive for tourist destination. Because extreme natural beauty 1960 he was declared like National Park.

In National Park you will see two lakes located there .It is amazing to see very exotic. Both lakes has only tour boats for turist sightseeings saling around, Private wessels are not allowed.

Walking trails leads you around the lakes. The salt lakes are a unique geological and oceanographic phenomenon of worldwide importance. They originated approximately 10,000 years ago and, until the Christian era, they were freshwater lakes.

Island is really something to sea nobody can stay impassive after only couple hours there.

MORE PHOTOS FROM MLJET !!!

Here is some option how to get on Mljet

Airports:

- Dubrovnik, Split

Ferry Jadrolinija:

- from Rijeka, Zadar, Split, Hvar, … to Sobra (Mljet) 
- everyday from Dubrovnik to Sobr
- everyday from place Prapratno (peninsula Pelješac) to Sobra (Mljet)

By Car:

- Rijeka, Zadar, Split, Dubrovnik - Sobra (ferry)
- Rijeka, Zadar, Split, Ston, Prapratno - Sobra (ferry)
- Zagreb, Plitvice (National Park), (Zadar), Split, Dubrovnik-Sobra (ferry)
- Zagreb, Plitvice, (Zadar), Split, Ston, Prapratno - Sobra (ferry)

Island Šipan is part of the "Elafiti islands" near Dubrovnik. It is largest island in that area and he has the most inhabitants. He is long stretched island with two villages; both are sheltered in deep bays.

Their names are Šipan luka and Suđurađ. Inside of Island there is couple of smaller villages like Fraiga,Vojnovo Selo,Odak,Sutulija.

I went several times to the island and I was always surprised with the beauty, the pure aromatic nature and the architectural heritage you can find here, on the island there is 42 old cottages and 34 churches. Especially in Šipan Luka you can visit couple cottages and Duke’s palace from XV century and castle of Vice Stjepovic Skocibuha, ship-owner and merchant from VI century.

Within the Castle there is a cafe bar, tavern, traditional restaurant, there is also possibility in divided part of cottage to organise group meetings till 40 persons and there is also possibility to go on organised sightseeing or excursion all around island.

Tavern-restaurant Tauris is also very nice place to recommend, It is family type place, where all members of family make sure the guests will remember for a long time the delicious meals from grandma’s kitchen. You can easily find them in the centre of the town, left to the beautiful castle of Vice Stjepovic.

EVENTS :ŠIPAN’S SUMMER SCHOOL OF FILM

The Island is covered by Mediterranean vegetation. In the past, when about 7000 inhabitants live here, there was over 350 000 olive trees. Today besides of olive trees, there are many grape vine, oranges, tangerine, fig, dog-rose and carob. The Island is connected with Dubrovnik by local boat line, it takes about an hour with the boat to Dubrovnik alternative is fast boat to coast place called Slano, which gives you everyday possibilities for a tour to historical and culture monuments of Dubrovnik and surrounding area.

Swim in a bay of your own, without neighbours, without witnesses. Just you and those you choose to be with. It won’t cost you a fortune and, for one brief moment of your life, you will have something nobody else has. For more photos or information’s about this island just look HERE

All this can be yours when you make the right choice and come to Croatia.

Croatia waiting to be explored.

Today we went to see the cave in Vranjaca, which impressed us a lot.The cave is situated only 24 km from Split, although we have lived here for 4 years we actually never hear about it; witch’s is a shame as it is a very special nature experience.

When we arrived to the cave around noon, we were welcome by Mr. Punda, who is the grandson of Stipe Punda, who discovered the cave in 1903. As we were the only guest, Mr. Punda was so kind to give us a guided tour in the caves.

The cave is 65 meter deep, and separated in more champers, in the upper part, evidence has been found that people where living here several thousand years ago. The cave is about 65-70 million years old, and it was created by an underground river. Today parts of the river Jadro are running about 10 meters below the lower parts of the cave.

If you bring a little fantasy, you will especially in the lower part of the cave be able to see stalactite and stalagmites formations, looking like people, animals or building. The dripstones contain different kind of minerals like aluminium, cobber and crystal.

The cave is open every day the whole year from 9 am to 20 pm. In the summer you will have the opportunity every Wednesday and Thursday to see mystics of bright starry night with authentic folklore and sounds of folk traditional songs in the cave. After the show you will be able to enjoy some of the traditional domestic cuisine of this beautiful area, like cheese and smoked ham (prsut).

As we were very fond of the place/cave, we arranged with Mr. Punda to sell tickets to those evenings in our internet café in split – so do not miss out on this nature phenomenon.

Here you find all our favorit links from Croatian - Links about Croatia

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One of our absolute favourite cities here in Croatia is Dubrovnik; we have visited the city numerous times, both privately as well as professionally, and every time we have great time in this historical pearl.

Historically Dubrovnik has always been very special; in the times where the city was a republic it had a very interesting, political system where the major / Senator was elected for a period of one month, this was done to avoid corruption and keep focus on working in the interest of the republic.

Meanwhile Dubrovnik has regained its position as one of the major tourist spots in Croatia, the old town of Dubrovnik has been completely rebuild after the heavy bombing during the Balkan war, where only visible evidence left is the many new red roofs tops in the old town.

One thinks which you can not miss out on visiting Dubrovnik is a walk on the up 6 meter wide walls surrounding the old town, from the wall you have amazing view on the old town. The walk on the wall takes 2-3 hours.

Normally we are driving by car to Dubrovnik from Split, which takes around 4 hours, but last year we tried once to take the local ferry line, which is a 9 hour trip with stops on the Island Hvar and Korcula, the trip is extremely beautiful, so we can only recommend that.

Here you find more of our pictures from Dubrovnik

Here you find all our favorit links from Croatian - Links about Croatia

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