We’ve acquired the lowdown on the highest ten issues you need to know earlier than visiting Dubrovnik, written by Katherine Frangos of Kate’s Explorations.
Like most overseas cities, vacationers are by no means totally ready for the bizarre nuances or cultural particulars that guidebooks by no means point out or overlook.
Except vacationers expertise trial and error or keep for an prolonged interval within the metropolis, they may typically miss the depth a metropolis has to supply. Listed here are ten important observations and issues I’ve found whereas exploring Dubrovnik.
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1. Dubrovnik Is Fiercely Impartial And Has A Resilient Previous
Most lately, the town has achieved a big restoration because the battle and fall of Ex-Yugoslavia. Though there have been horrifying atrocities and devastation, Dubrovnik’s scars are therapeutic.
In the event you take a climb up her 14th-century fortified metropolis wall, you possibly can gaze upon the brand new red-tiled rooftops, which have been reconstructed within the mid- 90s. It exhibits that they’ve made nice efforts to protect and rebuild their metropolis.
Going additional into the previous, Dubrovnik went by a collection of overseas invasions and completely different rulers, beginning with the Greeks, Romans, Slavs, Ottomans, Venetians, Hungarians, French, and many others.
However her impervious glory sums as much as one badass motto, “Non bene professional toto libertas venditur auro” (Latin for “Liberty just isn’t effectively offered for all of the gold”). In different phrases, irrespective of how a lot gold you attempt to bribe or impose, the folks of Dubrovnik gained’t have it! Freedom above all, even gold. The Dubrovnik persons are pleased with their independence, liberty, and distinctive tradition.
Their dialect, meals, and wine are just some of the various distinctive attributes they’ve contributed to the world.
2. Two Important Phrases You Should Know
Though it might not appear price it to study Croatian in just some days, realizing these two highly effective phrases, “Hvala,” that means thanks, and “doviđenja,” that means goodbye, could make a giant distinction. Typically we stunned cashiers and repair employees with these easy but significant phrases.
In any language, being well mannered goes a great distance.
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3. Cowl It Up
Croatia is an overwhelmingly Catholic nation. Though lots of bikini-bottomed beachgoers flock to the streets, one ought to cowl up earlier than coming into a retailer.
Even when it’s a small comfort store or grocery store, modesty counts, so cowl up after a seaside swim. I do know, having skilled a little bit of an ungainly scenario once I walked into our native comfort market with a towel wrapped round my hips and my bikini high uncovered.
So, throw on a sundress or T-shirt whereas stopping in a market or retailer. We have been coming from the seaside into the PEMO marketplace for a fast snack. Heading over to the stacks of recent yogurt, a younger worker stopped by, asking me to cowl up my chest.
4. By no means Underestimate A Sailor
We took a ship tour of the Elaphite (Elafitski) Islands, and our crew was heat and hospitable. A few of the most attention-grabbing characters I’ve met whereas touring have been sailors. I don’t know why sailors get such a nasty rap for being obscene, impolite, or inappropriate.
A few of the greatest highlights of our journey have been shared with a bunch of Italians and Englishmen as we piled up on the entrance of the boat. Perhaps it wasn’t the most secure to sit down up entrance, however we felt like particular VIPs with our captain hooking us up with white wine, cookies, and a recent fish lunch throughout a stop-over to Lopud Island.
Our captain talked it up, sharing a few of his travels worldwide, and even opened up over the painful recollections throughout the battle. As a token of enjoyable, he joined us for a jump-off of his boat and swim within the majestic waters of Koločep.
Slurp Down An Oyster
Not everyone seems to be into them, however if you wish to be like an area, do as an area. The Dubrovnik persons are pleased with their recent catch, and nothing can come between them and their slippery, salty little mates, the recent pearls of the ocean. Squeeze a little bit lemon on one and slurp up the goodness. They style like the ocean, solely higher.
Not everyone seems to be into them, however if you wish to be like an area, do as an area. The Dubrovnik persons are pleased with their recent catch, and nothing can come between them and their slippery, salty little mates, the recent pearls of the ocean. Squeeze a little bit lemon on one and slurp up the goodness. They style like the ocean, solely higher.
Instead, please don’t shrink back from their mussels both. They arrive swimming within the sauce of the gods, I inform you! Ready like historical Romans and Greeks, these are greatest served in a breadcrumb broth, simmered in recent garlic, tomato, white wine, and sea salt. Yum! Easy is all the time higher.
6. Relaxed Vibes And Pedestrian’s Proper Of Manner
First, the outdated metropolis of Dubrovnik (throughout the fortress partitions) is a UNESCO web site, so that you just gained’t see any vehicles. Secondly, perhaps it’s simply me, however I seen the suburban Dubrovnik drivers have uncommon persistence I’ve by no means seen in a Mediterranean nation.
Sometimes in Italy or Greece, I’ve encountered hot-heads to the max. No one stops so that you can cross. Typically vehicles are parked on sidewalks, and they’re going to run you over when you’re not trying. Even the cutest outdated women don’t stand an opportunity in a crosswalk intersection! Guidelines? What guidelines?
It was unusual at first, however fairly refreshing to not worry for my life crossing! Quite the opposite, I don’t know what it’s like in Dubrovnik, however perhaps it’s the summer season warmth or the truth that we’re vacationers; they all the time cease and permit you the correct of away. Likewise, the bus drivers all the time drove in a really secure manner. Jaw-dropping views and cliffs overlook the ocean, so that you undoubtedly need a secure and wise bus driver!
7. Alternate Charges Do Range
There could also be a gorgeous alternate price between the European euro (EUR) and the American greenback (USD) proper now, however that may change.
In the event you cross by the town market tents, don’t be intimidated to perform a little bargaining. As a vacationer, don’t be fooled; play truthful. There’s loads of competitors and strain amongst distributors, so that they know the man subsequent door would possibly promote to you as an alternative. This goes the identical with taxis. Just about in all places on this planet, you possibly can simply get ripped.
Ask to see the meter first and guarantee they’re not ripping you off on an absurd scale. On our first day, we additionally made a mistake by not asking our driver to begin the meter on the right amount. However what different alternative did we now have after we have been misplaced discovering our condominium? Typically you must chunk the bullet.
Pebbly Seashores (A Few Sandy Ones)
Okay, seaside lovers, let’s see how a lot you like the ocean. Does Dubrovnik have stunning water? Sure. A vivid emerald inexperienced, in reality, test. Distant coves and caves to dive and discover?
Sure! Test. A great deal of sunshine? Yep. Test. Stunning harbors and crusing? Test. Sand? Mmm..not all the time. Price it? YES! In the event you’re like me, chances are you’ll discover the stones and pebbles a bit abrasive to the toes, so pack some flip-flops or swimming sneakers, which ought to do the trick.
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9. Airport Pickup/Drop Off Is Completely different
Bear in mind, the drop-off and pick-up spots from and to the airport are in several places. The drop-off (arrival) is at Ploče gate Gate, the primary gate of the town.
If you wish to return to the airport, you could depart from the bus station subsequent to the cable automobile. Don’t mess up and miss your flight. Put together upfront.
10. Talking Of The Cable Automotive, GO
It’s the proper method to wind down after an extended day of onerous work lounging on the seaside and consuming scrumptious seafood. Powerful life, isn’t it? Effectively, the images do justice. I’m a panoramic freak and may’t conclude a visit with out a wonderful birds-eye view of the town. Are these pictures convincing sufficient?
VISITING DUBROVNIK
What To Do In Dubrovnik
Are you undecided what to do in Dubrovnik? Your vacation in Dubrovnik has so many selections; there are such a lot of Dubrovnik sights, not even we’ve skilled all that Dubrovnik has on provide. Key highlights embrace:
Picture credit Lena @Lea.pie on Instagram