Reaching There

You can use airplane, train, bus, car, cruise ship and even ferries from selected points. Depending on what suits you better, you can book any of these means for reaching Dubrovnik.

Dubrovnik, Croatia by Michaelphillipr

Knowing The Ways To Navigate In The City

Since the old town is more a maze of little streets, you can make use of signs that are placed at entrances for reaching restaurants, shops and accommodation etc on any particular street/direction. You can opt for bus if you are not in the Old Town. If not, then you can check out car rentals.

What To See

There may be many people who think that Dubrovnik was damaged a lot during 1991-95, its war for independence. However, a lot has been repaired, with some marks left on stone houses’ walls etc.

Dubrovnik at Night, Croatia by Mr Hicks46

If you are in the Old Town, then you can check out Bell Tower, Rector’s Palace, Roland’s Column, Sponza Palace, Aquarium, Big Onofrio’s Fountain, War Photo Limited, Old Port, Pile Gate, Fort Lovriienac, Placa Stradun and Visia Dubrovnik 5D. You can further enjoy the view of city walls. A visit to these is highly recommended. There are 3 entrances; Custom’s House gate, gate by Saint John’s Fort and by Pile gate on Stradun.

Within these walls, you can visit Fort Revelin, Fort Lawrence, Fort St. John’s, Fort Minceta, St. Luke’s Tower, Aquarium, Maritime Museum and Bokar Fort. You can also visit churches while at Dubrovnik. Some of them are Church of St. Blaise, Franciscan Monastery, Dominican Monastery, Serbian Orthodox Church and Church of St. Sebastian.

Rector’s Palace, Dubrovnik, Croatia by Mr Hicks46

There are a lot of beaches and museums and you can also indulge in activities like sailing, boat trips, swimming, Cliff jumping as well as watching theatre, film, concerts and night clubs etc. at Lazareti.

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By the fall of the great Roman Empire, the area where present day Opatija stands was under the control of the Byzantine Empire until the Slavs arrived in the area around the 7th century. By the 12th century, the Franks arrived and with them, the city flourished. However, it was not until the construction of the St. James monastery during the 15th century that the present day Opatija would be born.

Opatija, Istria, Croatia by Vzach

In 1844, the city of Opatija became one of the first resort towns along the Adriatic Sea when the Villa Angelina was constructed and opened its doors to guests for the first time. Soon after, the Grand Hotel Kvarner would open its doors and help mold the city into the resort town it is today.

The Villa Angelina still stands today and one can even visit it as it has since been turned into a museum. It is located in the middle of the town’s botanical gardens which are simply an awe-inspiring place to visit. The gardens cover 3.64 hectares and are home to more than 150 plant species. The Grand Hotel Kvarner still accepts guests on a regular basis and is still one of the most popular hotels in the city.

There are many medieval buildings located throughout Opatija as well as several prehistoric ruins to see while you are in town. In the nearby Učka Natural Park, artifacts dating back to the 1th century B.C. have been unearthed. There are many great locations of historical importance to visit when you are in Opatija.

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Rialto Bridge, Venice, Italy / Photo by admin

According to a recent report, though, a combination of subsidence, tilting and sea levels rising mean that this unique cultural and architectural artefact is sinking more quickly than we thought – five times quicker, in fact!

So it could be time to make the most of Venice before it becomes a semi-mythical lost city…taking in sights such as…

The Rialto Bridge

The Rialto Bridge is truly astounding. An unwieldy geometric arc, it looks as though it should sink beneath its own weight. The whole place is full of local produce such as leather goods and authentic Venetian masks.

Perhaps strangely, though, this striking and beautiful landmark, unique though it is, is primarily used by tourists as a place to look out across the rest of Venice.

I would suggest going against the crowd, and trying to get a spot a little further so you can really appreciate this architectural marvel.

St. Mark’s Place

The lowest point in Venice, and thus also the most threatened by rising water levels, the stunning mish-mash of gaudily ornate baroque styles on show in St. Mark’s Place truly takes the breath away.

Piazza San Marco, Venice, Italy / Photo by admin

Whether looked at en masse or as individual works of art, these places would make a dream find for anyone browsing the upper end of online estate agents UK citizens have access to. Of course, in reality, they are almost beyond price.

Climbing to the top of the Campanile, one becomes dizzily aware of the pressure the building is placing on the ground below it, and of the water steadily undermining and flooding the square, simultaneously. It’s an incredible experience, and the precarious balancing of all these huge and intricate buildings is a testament (albeit temporary) to human ingenuity and skill.

Murano & Burano

The “islands” of Murano and Burano sit in the Venetian Lagoon.

More accurately, they are two series of islands linked together by bridges and wishful thinking, and both are well worth a visit.

Murano is traditionally a place of great glassworks, and glass shaped there still commands a good price. Although it boasts its fair share of colourful houses as well, it is nothing compared to Burano, which has highly regimented and detailed plans explaining exactly which houses can be which colours.

Both retain their individuality by keeping in touch with their pasts, but like Venice, these island chains are under threat from rising sea levels.

Ultimately, Venice’s charm lies in part in the fact that its expensive and awe-inspiring architecture, history and culture is only here for the short term.

Whether it’s an entire city centre built on unstable ground, the enormous Rialto Bridge, or the stunning islands of Murano and Burano, the fact that the whole area appears to be sinking makes the experience of touring the area especially touching.

My advice is to visit while you can!

Louise Blake writes blog posts for eMoov, an online estate agent service. She is most interested in architecture, great cities and historical landmarks.

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Old Town harbour at night, Dubrovnik, Croatia by hozinja

There are so many awesome places to visit and fabulous things to do in Croatia that you would never be able to pack them all into one trip. However, while you’re there, don’t miss out on these three outstanding places and activities.

Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is among the most romantic cities in the world. The southern-most point in Croatia is even more romantic than Paris. It’s surrounded by the clear, beautiful waters of the Adriatic Sea. The walls of the city were built in the medieval period. During the Croatian War of Independence, Dubrovnik was bombed heavily from 1991 to 1995. Most of the wreckage has been repaired, but you can still see residual mortar damage and bullet holes in the stone houses. While you’re in Dubrovnik, check out the Bell Tower. Bronze statues on top of the tower strike a gigantic bell on the hour. Rector’s Palace is home to a Croatian historical museum. Placa Stradum, also called Old Town, is in the center of the city. The perpendicular streets are lined with tourist shops and sidewalk cafes. Many of the buildings date back to the mid-1600s. At night, Placa Stradum is filled with people enjoying the pleasant weather and the excitement of the city.

Marina Kremik

After visiting Dubrovnik, go to Marina Kremik for a Croatia yacht charter from “The Split,” which is right in the center of the coastline. You’ll never forget leisurely sailing across the crystal clear Adriatic waters. Marina Kremik sits in a picturesque bay surrounded by vineyards that are hundreds of years old. These are the vineyards that produce the famous Babic wine. Kremik is one of the nicest ports in the entire world. It is well-lit and secure. If you love the sea, you will absolutely love Marina Kremik. The Kornati National Park and Split Airport are only about 30 km from the marina. Kremik has shopping, a seaside restaurant and all the facilities you need to sail around the Adriatic Sea.

Mljet, Croatia by Bruno

The Island of Mljet

The third must-see destination in Croatia is the Island of Mljet, which is famous for world-class SCUBA diving. Mljet has underwater caves, coral reefs and an abundance of unique, exotic sea life. It is home to the largest stony coral reef in the entire Mediterranean Sea. The elongated island is parallel to the Peninsula of Peljesac and directly across the Mljetski Channel, which is only eight km wide. Mljet is very close to Dubrovnik. Some people believe that Mljet is Homer’s fabled island of Ogygia, which was mentioned in his epic tale “The Odyssey.” It is where the goddess Calypso enchanted Odysseus and kept him as her lover for seven years when he traveled home from the Trojan War. There is a cave near Babino Polje that resembles Calypso’s lush hideaway. It is uncertain whether Mljet was Homer’s inspiration, but it is beautiful enough to be a mythical paradise.

Jesse Dugan and his team of expert writers guest blog for sites all over the web in several different categories. Follow him @JesseDugan

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Island of Brac, Dalmatia, Croatia by Mark Heard

Imagine lush green forests contrasted by the white sand of the Golden Horn of Croatia which changes shape depending on the wind and sea currents.

If you are a person who gets bored of going to the same beach every day then Zlatni Rat will make you feel as if you are visiting a different beach every time you go. The 580 meter long pebble beach can barely accommodate the influx of thousands tourists that arrive all summer long. Most of them are surfers searching for the Maestral, a summer wind that makes this beach the finest windsurfing destination of the whole sea. The Golden Horn is a great vacation destination for the whole family. They offer a wide array of water sports: scuba diving, parachute rides, beach volleyball, jet-skiing and many more fun activities. But if sitting and relaxing the day away is your thing, then the pine forests offers a cool retreat from the sun’s warm rays too.

It is an island with a fascinating history under ever changing political rule. In the 4th century, the Greeks colonized many of the Adriatic islands and along the shore but none of them on Island Brac. They visited the island and traded with the tribes that were there. Brac lay on the crossroads of many trade routes between Salona (today Solin) to Issa (today Vis) and the Po River. The Romans conquered Dalmatia in 9 AD. Salona was made the capital but was overrun by Avar and Slavic tribes.

After this, Brac became a refuge for many citizens of the shore. From AD 1268 to AD 1357, the island was under the supreme rule of the Republic of Venice and after that, under the Kingdom of Hungary, and then in the summer of 1390 they were under the rule of the Bosnian Kin Tvrtko Kotromanic who died soon thereafter. Throughout this whole period, the island was able to keep their basic autonomy and old structures. The island was never considered rich or interesting enough to justify any deliberate intervention so they basically remained untouched. The population of the island decreased in the 20th century due largely in part to heavy emigration, mostly to Latin America, Chile, and Argentina but people also left to go to New Zealand and Australia.

So as you can see, the Island Brac has a rich history coupled with an absolutely breathtaking landscape. It’s not hard to imagine yourself scaling Mount St. Vid to photograph The Golden Horn or relaxing on the white sands and in the crystal blue water.

So what are you waiting for? This is a guest post from – www.travel-croatia.de/en/holiday-apartments

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Venice is absolutely the most important tourist destination from all places located on the northern coast of the Adriatic Sea. With its romantic location and a unique charm attracts thousands of tourists from around the world every year. Its historical, artistic and cultural heritage makes it the world’s cultural center. There are several museums and galleries of all mankind. During the year it is also home to many large celebrations and festivals.

Venice, the capital of Veneto, have over 360,000 inhabitants, of which, however, only about 100,000 live in historic city of Venice or on the islands in the lagoon. The rest live on the coast of Venice-Mestre (Venezia – Mestre). This part consists of industrial and transportation center, it’s a new part of Venice. Historic centre of Venice is situated on total of 117 islands and islets, which are connected by 409 bridges. There are no roads or cars, but instead of those you can see here 177 canals with romantic boats and gondolas.

History

City, which we now know as Venice, was founded in distress, when residents, at the end of the Roman Empire, scuttled away into uninhabited and empty regions, where they found safe against barbaric tribes. So gradually people settled the islands and in the year 810 they established a town here. Shortly after that, in the year 827, there was founded the bishopric. Venice was first a Byzantine colony, but gradually it made independent and its power and wealth grew up.

In 1204 the Venetians participated in the conquest of Constantinople (Istanbul) and Venice reached the top of its golden age.

When the Turks conquered Constantinople in 1453, began a time of slow decline, which continued by moving the trade routes from the Mediterranean to the Atlantic Ocean. There were also large European countries standing against Venice. In the 18th century, Venice dominated only its surroundings, and in 1797 felt itself under the Habsburg yoke. In the years 1805 – 1815 belonged to Napoleonic satellite state and then again to the Habsburgs until 1866, when finally joined the Italian kingdom, later Republic.

Venice’s Islands and channels

Venice lies, as already mentioned, at 117 islands, connected by over 400 bridges. In addition to channels there are also lanes for pedestrians in the streets, so you can get anywhere in the old Venice on foot.

The city is divided into traditional administrative districts (called Sestiere): Cannaregio, Castello, San Marco, Dorsoduro, San Polo and Santa Croce. The most attractive tourist district is San Marco, where is the Doge’s Palace, St. Mark’s Cathedral, Piazza di San Marco and the Piazzetta with two columns, symbols of Venice.

The most important is Canal Grande over which you can get through 4 bridges or by numerous ferries.

On one side of the Canal Grande is the railway station (Stazione Venezia S. Lucia) and even nearby is a bus station Piazzale Roma. Those are the two entrances to the city. At the other end of the channel is St. Mark’s Square with the great church of St. Mark and the Doge’s Palace.

Orientation is relatively easy because you can use the vaporetto water bus along the Canal Grande or around Venice, or go on foot. There are lots of directional signs to the most important objects (S. Marco, Rialto, Rerrovia). They can navigate you anywhere even without using a map of the city.

Accommodation in Venice

When booking a room, make sure that your hotel lie in the main part of Venice, because then you can easily get everywhere on foot. Mainly cheaper hotels and hostels lie on the surrounding islands or mainland, from which you are then transported by a ferry to Venice centre. An advantage of staying out of the city centre can be, in addition to lower prices, that those hotels mainly have a parking spot available for you when arriving by car. And in addition to the city centre you will see also its surroundings which is interesting and nice as well. I could recommend staying in some of the camping sites located at Punta Sabbioni, where you can get easily by car and transport to Venice’s centre by regular ferry.

Culture and heritage

For careful examination you would need several months, for further explore reserve at least three days, preferably more. However, even within a single day you can see many beautiful and very interesting sights.

Architecture and walks

In each local area (Sestiere) you will find dozens of churches, palaces and houses of exhibition that are worth seeing, also all kinds of shops worth exploring. Venice, it is a pure joy of discovering something new.

Venice, however, is not attractive only because of its art and history. Venice’s romance lies also in the sunset over the lagoon. Even if you come just for a single day, be sure to do the walk through small streets, narrow bridges, around the channels. Also experience, when you get lost in the old streets, is one of the finest travel experiences, make sure you do not miss this opportunity. It’s really worth it!

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Piazza del Popolo, Ravenna, Italy by freshcreator

The most popular attraction in the city is the Mausoleo di Galla Placidia which is the resting place of Emperor Theodosius I’s daughter, Aelia Galla Placidia. The mosaics found within the mausoleum date back to the 5th century and today are considered some of the most well-preserved in the world.

Back when the city was first being developed, by Bishop Ursus was built a mammoth basilica in Ravenna. Most of the basilica was destroyed back in 1734 and the only part that remains today is the Battistero degli Ortodossi. You will also find nearby, the Battistero degli Ariani which has an amazing mosaic of the baptism of Christ.

There are many other popular structures in Ravenna that have been built over the centuries. While not dating back to the 5th century, many of these sites have none the less been well preserved over the years. There is the ancient Palatine church of Basilica di Sant’Apollinare Nuovo which features mosaics that depicts both Christian and Arian beliefs. The Basilica di San Vitale was built back in the 6th century which is also another very popular attraction in Ravenna.

You will also find the Dante Museum in Ravenna which is dedicated to the world renowned author, Dante Alighieri. Known for having been banished from Florence because of authoring the Divine Comedy, Dante spent the remainder of his life in Ravenna where he died in 1789.

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Trieste City Hall, Italy by Twice25 & Rinina25

Today, Trieste is a popular tourist destination. There are a number of monuments in the city which attracts thousands of visitors every single year. The most notable of these is the Roman amphitheater that can be found in Trieste. There are many other Roman Era monuments spread out throughout the city. There are also a number of churches, temples and synagogues in the city.

On a nearby hill you will find the San Giusto Castle. Today part of the castle is open to the public who wishes to see its collections. The castle today is a museum which houses a number of historical weapons. The area immediately surrounding the castle is the main fair grounds for Trieste and most of the fairs and festivals in the city occur around the San Giusto Castle.

There is also another castle in Trieste known as Miramare which was built in the early 19th century by Archduke Maximilian. Miramare Castle features many parks and gardens which were actually designed by the Archduke. You will find that there is a museum inside the castle which is a very popular destination. Not too far from the Miramare Castle you will find the International Center for Theoretical Physics. The area is known locally as Castle Park and is home to many of the city’s institutions for higher learning.

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Due to Italian history the people have the right for Piran bilingualism. Therefore, in the streets you can often hear Italian language. If you want to enjoy a truly memorable experience, do not forget to climb the steep streets to the city walls, climb to one of the fortified towers and walk through the walls. The magnificent view, that you can see of the historic center of Piran and Adriatic Sea, will keep in your memory for a long time.

Also the most demanding visitors will be satisfied in Piran as they can enjoy enormous array of delicious restaurants, cafes and tavernas with excellent Slovenian and Italian food with the offer of great local wines. Piran immediately adjacent to the town of Portoroz, a popular fast-growing and probably the most famous Slovenian tourist destination, full of fun and enjoyment for probably every tourist.

Piran’s first settlement dates back to the 7th century. As was common in this area, also Piran was ruled by Venice, which dates from the 1283. The main source of income has been mining salt in the salt fields Sečovlje, Strunjan and Lucija.

A major attraction is the water park Laguna Bernadine, where you can try a variety of water activities and attractions, swimming pools with hot and cold water pools for children, jacuzzi, Finnish and Turkish saunas and a range of massages. Water park is open all year round.

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Slovenia covers an area of 20,273km2 and has a population of 2.06 million. Around 40% of Slovenia’s land mass is elevated land – mostly in the form of mountains and plateaus – which is located in the interior regions of the country. The highest point of Slovenia is the 2,864m high Mount Triglav, the lowest point is the Adriatic Sea at sea level. The Slovenian coast is 47 km long and is very charming.

The majority of the population speaks Slovene which is also the country’s official language. Other local official languages are Hungarian and Italian.

As the vacation centers are mainly used Isola and Portoroz. On the way to the sea, we recommend a small break in Lipica, where they still kept the pride of Slovenia, known for white Lipizzaners. In Slovenia there is one of the largest cave systems in the world – Postojna Jama, a 20-kilometer system of tunnels, and the nearby medieval castle Predjamski. At the north east of the country you can visit beautiful Triglav National Park and Lake Bled, like cut from a fairy tale. In the middle of Lake Bled there is Bled island with the ancient castle on it.

Slovenia may be, more than any other country, marked as a “thermal paradise“. An incredible amount of thermal springs are mainly located in the northeast of the country where you can find lots of of spas.

Slovenia is a beautiful country with lots of undiscovered beauty, suitable for all romantic souls, and especially those who want to enjoy well deserved vacation.

Slovenia is a country of high mountains, is full of forests and lakes, impressive cave systems, medicinal springs and crystal clear sea. It has great culinary traditions, within which you can taste fine wines or traditional fruit brandy, combined with excellent food coming from the sea, rivers, forests and green meadows. It is a country where on a relatively small area there is everything one needs to spend an active holiday.

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