Hi to all Fodorites,
I am from Dubrovnik and just would like to say few words about what to look for and what too watch ot for when in our city.
First of all let me tell you all I am so proud I was born there. The famous English author George Bernard Shaw once said: If you are looking for a paradise on Earth, look for Dubrovnik. And it really is a paradise (well maybe not just in the first 3 weeks of march when we have our strong northern wind-bura blowing during most of the time) It is a perfect spot just to relax and enjoy the sun, sea, silence of the Old City Walls, chit-chatting of merchants in the town-market, the never ending cricket songs and the whispering of the ancient pine trees. Well back to reality, I just want to say you should be careful where you are staying because when finding a place over internet you may be easily fooled. The people advertise their apartments being 200 meters or 5 minutes from the Old City and it is basically correct but they do not tell you how many stairs you have to climb to come back, and believe me, Dubrovnik is all aboout the STAIRS, about UPS and DOWNS. So dont be suprised when these 200 meters comes up to be 350 stairs. When talking about the stairs do go and visit St. Jakov Beach (again from the main road you have to climb down on 200 stairs but when you get down you will be rewarder with one of the best beaches in Croatia, secluded from mass turism and overlooking straight the Old City. Also be careful about the resturants so you do not get overcharged and if in possibility do go visit Mali Ston (50 km from Dubrovnik) for the best sea food you will ever taste in your life) Please contact me with any questions, especially about the accomodation or the plannings of your trip - i would be more than glad to help ([email protected]) Good luck and see you all in Dubrovnik!

dubrovnik, what a sweet post. You are proud of your city and rightly so. We spent eight nights there in November and are planning to return. We fell in love with Croatia and especially Dubrovnik.

Thank you for your kind offer to answer questions. I'm sure you will get a lot of them!

Dubrovnik,
Thank you for your kind post. I'm looking forward to visiting your beautiful city in September this year (hopefully) and I'm sure that I'll be contacting you nearer the time for more specific details. Thanks again and best wishes.

dubrovnik, when we arrived, taking our car off the ferry and driving towards the old town, we missed our turn to the right to go to our hotel, the Bellevue. We blindly followed a bus going to the walls of the old city. We were amazed how friendly everyone was. People were standing on the sidewalks or stopping to wave to us. We happily waved back. When we got to the end of the street we finally figured out we were going the wrong way on a one way street -- only busses are allowed -- which is why we felt safe following one. Duh. But even afterwards, we found the people there so friendly (even though they stopped waving at us). We both got haircuts while there and could have spent the whole day chatting with the very young barbers and the local customers -- actually just locals there for the social hour.
You are indeed in a charming place.

Hi Dubrovnik! I am going to Dubrovnik in June and am so excited! Thank you for the information and words of caution.

It was one of my favorite stops, that's for sure. And you aren't kidding about the steps. I started losing weight in Dubrovnik!

Message: Hello, dubrovnik, and thanks for offering information on your city. We will be there 5 days in Sept/Oct. One of those days we want to take a bus tour to Medjugore. Which company do you recommend and do they have a website so we can book ahead? Also we need a recommendation for a special restaurant, one with a fantastic night view and serving good seafood. We would want to book ahead because we will want to go there the day we arrive (my birthday). Thanks for any help you can give.
crckwc

I would recommend Atlas for your tour. They are wonderful.

Crazymina - I lost weight too - I think they invented the original stairmaster in Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik - I visited Croatia, specifically Dubrovnik, for the first time in 2002 and am returning to Croatia for my third time this September. And I've only scratched the surface - so many islands and villages to explore.

Re: <i>I started losing weight in Dubrovnik!</i>

From what I've seen, Dubrovnik looks so beautiful that, if I went there, I'm afraid I'd start losing my mind.

I'm not <i>entirely</i> joking. For those who have never heard of it, see an explanation of &quot;Stendhal's syndrome&quot; at...

http://www.wordspy.com/words/Stendhalssyndrome.asp

Mark, it's not the stairmaster, they're stairkiller! And imagine doing those stairs with bags of groceries...argh!

I had the additional misfortune (and I use that word lightly, since I don't mind that I lost weight) of traveling with someone who just wanted to climb things. Between Slovenia, Croatia, and Italy (Sorrento, Positano), I probably climbed 3000 steps and hiked up to see several crosses (including Dubrovnik's). In that one month, I think I lost nearly 10 pounds without my knowledge.

The &quot;Dubrovnik Diet&quot;. I swear by it.

Capo, it is beautiful...and when I went, it was so unbelievably uncrowded. Wonderful........

I would like to rent a sailboat with one crew person to sail from Dubrovink or Split around the islands. What time of the year would be the best for weather and enough wind to be able sail? Also if you know of a source for renting a sail boat with 2-3 cabins. I would also be appreciative. [email protected]