Driving Coastal Route From Split To Dubrovnik
Jan 6th, 2015, 05:49 AM
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Driving Coastal Route From Split To Dubrovnik
After gathering some helpful driving information and wind warnings at checkout from the Royal Suites, we are “on the road again” this time headed for Dubrovnik. Not too far from the Royal Suites we fill up a local gas station for about US$5 a gallon, fortunately our little VW probably gets about 40 mpg.
Although it is still bitterly cold and still very windy, it is a beautiful day for driving along this spectacular coastline. In some areas the terrain rises sharply from sea level to jagged mountains several thousand meters above us.
This contrast in the landscape is gorgeous although I am sure this afternoon it is contributing significantly to the conditions that at sometimes has our VW about ready to fly.
Around one curve and the scenery is even more magnificent as in front of us is a green covered hillside, a rough and barren mountain and in the distant another mountain capped with bright white snow. As if wedged between the dark blue ocean and almost cloudless blue skies, this is a picturesque moment.
At one point the wind is so fierce above the sea it produces what looks like strings of sea level clouds that rides the air towards us. We are in awe of this but not for long as the freezing temperatures drive us back to the warmth of the VW.
Detouring for a moment at the Makarska Riviera we experience two things we have never really seen before. From the main road we have to drive down to the sea front and we are amazed to see trees that have grown along a slant in unison with the hillside terrain.
A sandy beach with crashing white waves, a colorful coastal community, a green covered hillside along with scraggy gray mountains in the distance that are mostly covered in white snow and we stand in awe inside the most beautiful seaside postcard we have ever seen.
Back to reality and we are on the road again. Our next stop is at the Croatian holy shrine, Vepric (1908). Here we make a short relaxing hike along the path of the “Stations Of The Cross” then visit the chapel and confessionals built within a natural cave.
The sun sets long before we arrive in Dubrovnik but soon enough we are navigating our way through the Stari Grad in plenty of time to be ready to ring in 2015.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=losW..._OzLrx0EcInIKQ
Although it is still bitterly cold and still very windy, it is a beautiful day for driving along this spectacular coastline. In some areas the terrain rises sharply from sea level to jagged mountains several thousand meters above us.
This contrast in the landscape is gorgeous although I am sure this afternoon it is contributing significantly to the conditions that at sometimes has our VW about ready to fly.
Around one curve and the scenery is even more magnificent as in front of us is a green covered hillside, a rough and barren mountain and in the distant another mountain capped with bright white snow. As if wedged between the dark blue ocean and almost cloudless blue skies, this is a picturesque moment.
At one point the wind is so fierce above the sea it produces what looks like strings of sea level clouds that rides the air towards us. We are in awe of this but not for long as the freezing temperatures drive us back to the warmth of the VW.
Detouring for a moment at the Makarska Riviera we experience two things we have never really seen before. From the main road we have to drive down to the sea front and we are amazed to see trees that have grown along a slant in unison with the hillside terrain.
A sandy beach with crashing white waves, a colorful coastal community, a green covered hillside along with scraggy gray mountains in the distance that are mostly covered in white snow and we stand in awe inside the most beautiful seaside postcard we have ever seen.
Back to reality and we are on the road again. Our next stop is at the Croatian holy shrine, Vepric (1908). Here we make a short relaxing hike along the path of the “Stations Of The Cross” then visit the chapel and confessionals built within a natural cave.
The sun sets long before we arrive in Dubrovnik but soon enough we are navigating our way through the Stari Grad in plenty of time to be ready to ring in 2015.
Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=losW..._OzLrx0EcInIKQ
Jan 8th, 2015, 04:06 AM
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Welcome 2015
We arrive in the “Old City” around 8pm and the area is already becoming busy as crowds are beginning to filter in for the night's festivities. The “Old City” is a pedestrian only area and parking nearby comes at premium prices.
Just up the street from the Hilton we find a “Zone 1” parking space for 20 krunas per hour. This becomes only a temporary spot as we set out on foot to find our accommodation for the next two nights which is located within the “Old City” walls.
A few missteps and we are eventually on the right side of the Dubrovnik Cathedral not far from where we know our apartment/hotel is located. The area is dimly lit and it requires a few snaps of flash pictures to read the street signs since our flashlight refuses to work in the freezing temperature.
Eventually we are in the warmth comfort of nice upstairs room at 4 Stu Lina. Although the city is a buzz with activities ahead of the midnight hour we thaw out as long as we can before layering up again.
The air is joyous as we venture out again into it's bitter coldness. Along the streets small crowds are gathered around food vendors as live music echos through the air. Beautiful city buildings are softly lit and holiday decorations add a charm that make it all seem magical and so wonderful.
We make our way to the main staging area of tonight's activities where a local band is entertaining a crowd that stretches the length of the main street. The songs are foreign to us but the beat and energy of the jumping crowd is unmistakeably fun and festive. In tune with the beat we join in the celebration.
Before long we are buried in the crowd and given protection from the cold and the wind. On a large screen behind the band a series of large numbers appear and the countdown begins. 20, 19, 18 …..
Bright red torches glows from the crowd behind us then moments later the skies explodes above us in amazing colors as in Stari Grad, Dubrovnik, we welcome 2015.
Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8Q6..._OzLrx0EcInIKQ
We arrive in the “Old City” around 8pm and the area is already becoming busy as crowds are beginning to filter in for the night's festivities. The “Old City” is a pedestrian only area and parking nearby comes at premium prices.
Just up the street from the Hilton we find a “Zone 1” parking space for 20 krunas per hour. This becomes only a temporary spot as we set out on foot to find our accommodation for the next two nights which is located within the “Old City” walls.
A few missteps and we are eventually on the right side of the Dubrovnik Cathedral not far from where we know our apartment/hotel is located. The area is dimly lit and it requires a few snaps of flash pictures to read the street signs since our flashlight refuses to work in the freezing temperature.
Eventually we are in the warmth comfort of nice upstairs room at 4 Stu Lina. Although the city is a buzz with activities ahead of the midnight hour we thaw out as long as we can before layering up again.
The air is joyous as we venture out again into it's bitter coldness. Along the streets small crowds are gathered around food vendors as live music echos through the air. Beautiful city buildings are softly lit and holiday decorations add a charm that make it all seem magical and so wonderful.
We make our way to the main staging area of tonight's activities where a local band is entertaining a crowd that stretches the length of the main street. The songs are foreign to us but the beat and energy of the jumping crowd is unmistakeably fun and festive. In tune with the beat we join in the celebration.
Before long we are buried in the crowd and given protection from the cold and the wind. On a large screen behind the band a series of large numbers appear and the countdown begins. 20, 19, 18 …..
Bright red torches glows from the crowd behind us then moments later the skies explodes above us in amazing colors as in Stari Grad, Dubrovnik, we welcome 2015.
Video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z8Q6..._OzLrx0EcInIKQ
Jan 8th, 2015, 04:10 AM
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Marianna,
Yes, would definitely recommend Royal Suites. Maybe a bit difficult to find at first and parking maybe a challenge, although I think they offer free parking not too far away. We were lucky to park on the street right next to it.
The staff there is amazing (5 Star IMO)...
I think you are going to really enjoy Croatia.. especially if it is a bit warmer than when we visited.
Yes, would definitely recommend Royal Suites. Maybe a bit difficult to find at first and parking maybe a challenge, although I think they offer free parking not too far away. We were lucky to park on the street right next to it.
The staff there is amazing (5 Star IMO)...
I think you are going to really enjoy Croatia.. especially if it is a bit warmer than when we visited.
Jan 8th, 2015, 05:05 AM
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Just saw the New Year's video! That was great!
Hopefully we will reserve the hotel in Split by tomorrow. We are waiting to hear from our son and his wife as they would need to take an extra day off from work. We will be staying in the Dubrovnik area for 9 nights.
Hopefully we will reserve the hotel in Split by tomorrow. We are waiting to hear from our son and his wife as they would need to take an extra day off from work. We will be staying in the Dubrovnik area for 9 nights.
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