Thinking about Dubrovnik
May 24th, 2003 | 02:38 PM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
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I went to Dubrovnik Sept. 2002. I'm going back to Croatia - Hvar specifically - this Sept. The coastline is beautiful - the Adriatic is emerald blue green. Dubrovnik is a jewel - a little rough around the edges. I went to relax mainly - swimming, visit some islands, catch some sun - it was great. There's an active night life if you want. The food is simple but good - smoked dalmation ham, fresh fish, figs, good to excellent red and white wines. Don't go expecting international cuisine. There's some wonderful historical things to see in the Old Town and surrounding islands. Call the National Croatian Tourist Board - 212.279.8672 - for some booklets - they're beautiful.
The only thing that surprsied me was that meals were not inexpensive. Remember - Dubrovnik is a major tourist stop for cruise ships. Also - the Adriatic has been over fished thus driving up the prices. I was able to have some inexpensive meals by going to a deli and getting fresh sliced dalmation ham and cheese, picking up a bottle of wine and stopping at a green market for figs.
I really excited about going back to Croatia.
The only thing that surprsied me was that meals were not inexpensive. Remember - Dubrovnik is a major tourist stop for cruise ships. Also - the Adriatic has been over fished thus driving up the prices. I was able to have some inexpensive meals by going to a deli and getting fresh sliced dalmation ham and cheese, picking up a bottle of wine and stopping at a green market for figs.
I really excited about going back to Croatia.
May 24th, 2003 | 04:00 PM
#3
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Joined: May 2003
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Thanks marktynernyc, I don't really enjoy long, expensive meals so that would not be a problem. I like the way you approached it. I appreciate the information and phone number. I had heard it was beautiful, but was wondering if Old Town was still old? I was thinking I had heard somewhere that much of it had been re-built. Sounds like you really liked it. Would you recommend Hvar over Dubrovnik or both?
May 24th, 2003 | 04:53 PM
#4
Joined: Jan 2003
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This will be my first time to Hvar. A couple in the next room at Hotel Excelsior had driven the coastline from Slovenia - they wished they had started at Dubrovnik because they felt it was the jewel of the Adriatic compared to the other town along the coast. During the 1990-91 war - parts of the Old Town were bombed. There has been restoration work done to the buildings and roof tops - you can tell by the new clay roof tiles. There was a gallery in the Old Town that had before and after photographs of the damage and restoration.
I think it's defintely an undiscovered destination for Americans. And that Adriatic sun....which would be nice considering it's grey, cloudy and 55 in NYC right now.
http://www14.brinkster.com/jnana/links.htm click on croatia
http://www.geocities.com/nkunstek/hrvatska/indexen.htm
http://www.holidayinhvar.co.uk/index.htm
http://pubwww.st.carnet.hr/hvar/
http://www.dalmacija.net/hvar.htm
http://www.croatia.hr/home.php
I think it's defintely an undiscovered destination for Americans. And that Adriatic sun....which would be nice considering it's grey, cloudy and 55 in NYC right now.
http://www14.brinkster.com/jnana/links.htm click on croatia
http://www.geocities.com/nkunstek/hrvatska/indexen.htm
http://www.holidayinhvar.co.uk/index.htm
http://pubwww.st.carnet.hr/hvar/
http://www.dalmacija.net/hvar.htm
http://www.croatia.hr/home.php
May 24th, 2003 | 06:08 PM
#5
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 834
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WanderingTexan...
Definitely go before it's as touristed as Italy! ;-) MSNBC recently had part 1 of a report on Croatia (through Frommers budget travel, I think). More and more people are catching on to the beauty of Croatia.
I've been to both Dubrovnik and Hvar (stayed in Starigrad vs. Hvar town though). Very different feels to both. Dubrovnik is a far bigger city, with many more tourists, as mark said. You won't get too many looks of curiosity there.
It's hard to tell the restoration work, except for the rooftops (the "golden city" is more the terracotta city now.) It definitely has a lovely old town feeling though.
I wasn't disappointed in Dubrovnik because it was visually very interesting. A hike to the top of the hill (where the cross is) will give you a neat view of the walled old city. Like any tourist destination, places to eat/drink in the old town will be more expensive than elsewhere.
You'll find pizza everywhere (I didn't find Croatian pizza that great though). The Frommers report mentioned that too, stating Croatians can't afford to dine out much, but pizza was a cheap and common option. Restaurants cater to tourists.
As for Hvar, I loved the island. It's hugely touristed in the summer months. I was told by the people I rented from that from one end to the other, it's hard to get a room. However, during non tourist season, many things are shut tight (it was hard to find a restaurant open in Hvar town). Hvar town is the most touristed on the Island, because it's very pretty and has an attractive little square. We ended up in Starigrad because a nice man picked us up as we were walking towards down, unsure of where to go. We ended up in his house, upstairs apartment (which was absolutely lovely) for $8 per person a night. Starigrad had a more lived in feel than Hvar town, and during our time there, we were the only tourists in town. Ante (the nice man who picked us up) is the port master, so he definitely knew the goings on of the island.
There are lovely little towns all over the island of Hvar. Food is a bit more expensive than on the mainland, but I found it cheaper than old town Dubrovnik. Try to get a place with cooking facilities, as options in some places can be limited.
Hvar Island is so known for its sunshine, that in one guidebook a lodging establishment offered a discount for cloudy days and free lodging if it rained. It definitely DOES rain (as it did when we were there) but when it's sunny, you feel like you have discovered a wonderful corner of the world all to yourself (provided you aren't here in the summer!)
I love Croatia...could talk about it forever (as you can see). One of my favorite countries. If you have any questions, please let me know!
P.S. About the nice photographer comment on my pictures thread...I don't think my digital point and shoot could do such an important event justice! ;-)
Definitely go before it's as touristed as Italy! ;-) MSNBC recently had part 1 of a report on Croatia (through Frommers budget travel, I think). More and more people are catching on to the beauty of Croatia.
I've been to both Dubrovnik and Hvar (stayed in Starigrad vs. Hvar town though). Very different feels to both. Dubrovnik is a far bigger city, with many more tourists, as mark said. You won't get too many looks of curiosity there.
It's hard to tell the restoration work, except for the rooftops (the "golden city" is more the terracotta city now.) It definitely has a lovely old town feeling though.
I wasn't disappointed in Dubrovnik because it was visually very interesting. A hike to the top of the hill (where the cross is) will give you a neat view of the walled old city. Like any tourist destination, places to eat/drink in the old town will be more expensive than elsewhere.
You'll find pizza everywhere (I didn't find Croatian pizza that great though). The Frommers report mentioned that too, stating Croatians can't afford to dine out much, but pizza was a cheap and common option. Restaurants cater to tourists.
As for Hvar, I loved the island. It's hugely touristed in the summer months. I was told by the people I rented from that from one end to the other, it's hard to get a room. However, during non tourist season, many things are shut tight (it was hard to find a restaurant open in Hvar town). Hvar town is the most touristed on the Island, because it's very pretty and has an attractive little square. We ended up in Starigrad because a nice man picked us up as we were walking towards down, unsure of where to go. We ended up in his house, upstairs apartment (which was absolutely lovely) for $8 per person a night. Starigrad had a more lived in feel than Hvar town, and during our time there, we were the only tourists in town. Ante (the nice man who picked us up) is the port master, so he definitely knew the goings on of the island.
There are lovely little towns all over the island of Hvar. Food is a bit more expensive than on the mainland, but I found it cheaper than old town Dubrovnik. Try to get a place with cooking facilities, as options in some places can be limited.
Hvar Island is so known for its sunshine, that in one guidebook a lodging establishment offered a discount for cloudy days and free lodging if it rained. It definitely DOES rain (as it did when we were there) but when it's sunny, you feel like you have discovered a wonderful corner of the world all to yourself (provided you aren't here in the summer!)
I love Croatia...could talk about it forever (as you can see). One of my favorite countries. If you have any questions, please let me know!
P.S. About the nice photographer comment on my pictures thread...I don't think my digital point and shoot could do such an important event justice! ;-)
May 24th, 2003 | 07:17 PM
#6
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 457
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Crazymia - I love that photograph from way above the Old Town you took - really great.
I was in Dubrovnik early Sept. - crowds were defintely winding down but things were still pretty busy at night - and cool enough to wear a light suede jacket - there were some smartly dressed people.
I so much want to explore futher south - Montenegro and Albania - the coast line looks great.
I was in Dubrovnik early Sept. - crowds were defintely winding down but things were still pretty busy at night - and cool enough to wear a light suede jacket - there were some smartly dressed people.
I so much want to explore futher south - Montenegro and Albania - the coast line looks great.
May 25th, 2003 | 03:18 PM
#7
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 722
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THANK YOU Crazymina & marktynernyc for the detailed information. I am definitely going next year! I always travel in "shoulder" season, but my daugher wants to honeymoon in Greece when the water's warm, so the wedding is in Ravello in June. I am going to come back via Croatia and Venice. I know it will be hot and crowded, but I plan to enjoy every moment! I really appreciate the information. Mina, You are very talented! I will go back and view those photos again and again.
