This year’s travels takes me to a part of Europe that I have not visited before but I have heard so many good things about….to Dubrovnik. I’m stunned by the number of people, including my traveler friends who have asked, “Dubrovnik??? Why would you want to go there?” I think to myself, why not!

Situated on Croatia’s Dalmatian coast and known as the “Pearl of the Adriatic”, Dubrovnik not only has stunning coastlines, but it also has amazing food, outstanding wines, a rich and fascinating history, a beautifully preserved medieval walled city, a Benedictine Abbey on Lokrum island just across, and very friendly and welcoming people. Dubrovnik also offers excursions to Hvar, Cavtat, Split, the bordering countries of Bosnia and Montenegro, and many beautiful islands of the Adriatic Sea, which all can be done as day trips by boat or by bus. Oh, and for any Games of Thrones fans out there, this is also where “King’s Landing” was filmed!

Here are some quick facts:

-As of 2013 Croatia officially became part of the European Union

-Language spoken: Croatian (a Slavic language) although many words similar to Italian

-Currency: Croatian Kuna

-Religion: Roman Catholic

-Government: democratic government, parliament

Dubrovnik was at one point in history an independent country called the Republic of Ragusa or Republic of Dubrovnik and dates as far back as the Roman Empire. With having its own sea port combined with its production of salt, which at the time was a form of currency as valuable as gold, the republic became a Mediterranean Sea power. Like many other rich countries, however, Dubrovnik was prone to many attacks, including having been conquered by Napoleon’s French empire in the early 1800’s. Hence the reason for the walled city for protection from so many invaders.

Throughout the years Dubrovnik was under the occupation of several forces including France, Hungary, Austria, Italy (at this time Italian became the official language and Croatian was spoken among the commoners and lower class), Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes, Germany, and after World War II, the former Yugoslavia (under Croatia).

On July 1, 2013 Croatia became the 28th member of the European Union, with Dubrovnik being Croatia’s number one tourist destination. Today Dubrovnik is a peaceful and safe city, with a relaxed and welcoming feel. Here you’ll find inviting cafes, lively open air markets, numerous well-organized attractions, food and wine tours, beautiful strolls along the promenades, cliffside bars and restaurants offering stunning views of the sunsets and plenty of English speaking locals!

Lapad….

The neighborhood I chose as my place of stay was Lapad, about a 10 minute bus ride from the Stari Grad or Old Town. It has a beautiful balance of residential and tourist features. I found this particular apartment on VRBO or Vacation Rentals by Owner.

My Airbnb

Mr. And Mrs. Mojas, owners of the apartment where I’m staying, invited me over for dinner one evening. This was definitely one of the most memorable events of this trip. The fish was caught fresh by the brother in-law, who has his own boat and goes fishing regularly off the coast of a nearby island in the Adriatic Sea. The vegetables and fruit are all home grown. The salt is locally made. The olive oil is from the olive trees that Mr. Mojas harvested and pressed himself. Even the grill used to prepare the fish and table where we sat for dinner were also hand made by the Mojas family! The Mojas spoke of life during occupation of the former Yugoslavia and during the war. This very home was hit with bombs from way across the mountains. Neighbors from the upstairs apartments would come downstairs to the Mojas residence on the ground level for safety. Mr. and Mrs. Mojas talked about how their families’ homes in a nearby village were also destroyed during the war and only recently were rebuilt. What a fascinating dinner conversation with this host family!