These crowded walls

Trip Start Nov 15, 2005
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Trip End Aug 15, 2008


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Tuesday, July 4, 2006

A piece of advice for those of you taking early buses into Dubrovnik on the back of very little sleep - when approached by the hoards offering private rooms at the bus station, make sure you check where the room is. Do not take the first cheap offer that comes your way, or you may end up, like me, not in Dubrovnik but about 10km and 3 towns distant. In a room with damp.

This aside, I can't complain too much about being in Dubrovnik. It is one of the most beautifully preserved old towns I have ever come across! A medieval walled citty jutting out into the Adriatic, it's an absolute pleasure to get slightly lost amidst the back streets, and the city walls have to be among the finest in the world. The wall walk (around the city walls, obviously) is fantastic even if it is really quite expensive, given that they don't really do anything beyond allow you to walk. It does allow you some astounding views across the red tiled rooftops and smooth, marbled streets, especially from the watchtowers in the corners. A magnificent couple of hours to complete the circuit.

Beautiful as it is, Dubrovnik, the "pearl of the Adriatic" according to someone or other, is incredibly crowded. I don't think I've ever come across quite such a density of restaurants and shops selling tourist crap. It's not hard to escape the crowds, though, as the edges of town require some climbing and most people are lazy enough not to bother. Also, a good 1 hour climb above town (with very little shade) takes you to the top of a hill with some incredible views down over the town and along the coast.
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