We knew from our initial foray into the Old City that it was a busy old place but nothing prepared us for the crowds that awaited us on our second visit. We weren't even late and yet it was obvious that thousands of people had beaten us to it when we walked through the Pile Gate. This incidentally was built in 1537 and used to have a drawbridge that was lifted every evening. It's the natural starting point for a visit and built into the wall just before you enter, is the statue of St Blaise, the city's patron saint, who you will come across several times on your journey around the ancient streets.
Back to the crowds which were incredible and which have become a problem for the authorities here. Basically, there are just too many people visiting and the city's controllers are trying to introduce measures to help visitors have a more enjoyable experience. These include a one way system in (on foot that is) and out of the city with accompanying signs although the biggest change comes in trying to moderate the number of cruise ships arriving on any one day.
We did experience this on our one and only cruise experience to Alaska when four ships docking in the same city would add up to 12,000 to the population on any one day! It's staggering but this is exactly what is happening in Dubrovnik and for me is a pending recipe for disaster. Every one of those on shore visitors will head straight to the same place.
Our intention was to walk the ancient walls of the city - we achieved this - along with a centipide like line of fellow tourists, all paying 150 Kuna for the privilege. I would love to know exactly how much money is taken in the day for this experience. It's a huge sum. It's a must do however because it provides a fantastic view both over the city and the rest of Dubrovnik which, incidentally, has a population of only 43,000 when the tourists aren't in town! We did venture briefly around the streets once more but in all honesty, a day and a half is about all the time needed for a visit here before moving on.
The moving on that we did on our final day in Dubrovnik was to get in the car and drive to Cavtat (pronounced Savtat) which proved a delightful and relaxing contrast. It's beautiful, has some great coffee shops and restaurants, delightful walks and above all else, very few tourists! In fact, it was a pure delight and although we had intended to make a brief visit to Montenegro, we enjoyed Cavtat so much that we stayed for the whole day. Recommended without hesitation and a delightful counterbalance to the manic nature of Dubrovnik.
In the morning, we leave for a relatively short drive to the island of Korcula and our home for the next three days, Brna.
Back to the crowds which were incredible and which have become a problem for the authorities here. Basically, there are just too many people visiting and the city's controllers are trying to introduce measures to help visitors have a more enjoyable experience. These include a one way system in (on foot that is) and out of the city with accompanying signs although the biggest change comes in trying to moderate the number of cruise ships arriving on any one day.
We did experience this on our one and only cruise experience to Alaska when four ships docking in the same city would add up to 12,000 to the population on any one day! It's staggering but this is exactly what is happening in Dubrovnik and for me is a pending recipe for disaster. Every one of those on shore visitors will head straight to the same place.
Our intention was to walk the ancient walls of the city - we achieved this - along with a centipide like line of fellow tourists, all paying 150 Kuna for the privilege. I would love to know exactly how much money is taken in the day for this experience. It's a huge sum. It's a must do however because it provides a fantastic view both over the city and the rest of Dubrovnik which, incidentally, has a population of only 43,000 when the tourists aren't in town! We did venture briefly around the streets once more but in all honesty, a day and a half is about all the time needed for a visit here before moving on.
The moving on that we did on our final day in Dubrovnik was to get in the car and drive to Cavtat (pronounced Savtat) which proved a delightful and relaxing contrast. It's beautiful, has some great coffee shops and restaurants, delightful walks and above all else, very few tourists! In fact, it was a pure delight and although we had intended to make a brief visit to Montenegro, we enjoyed Cavtat so much that we stayed for the whole day. Recommended without hesitation and a delightful counterbalance to the manic nature of Dubrovnik.
In the morning, we leave for a relatively short drive to the island of Korcula and our home for the next three days, Brna.
St Blaise - Patron Saint of Dubrovnik
Pile Gate - Notice One Way Sign
Part of Dubrovnik's Problem
Cunard's Queen Victoria Visiting
The Old Fort
The Rooftops of the Old City
Church of St Blaise
The Old Fountain Built in the 1400s!
Peace & Tranquility in Cavtat
Happiness Personified
Lovely Cavtat
Walking Around the Bay in Cavtat - A Lovely Day
It is like going back in time looking at the pictures! We are totally enjoying your adventures!
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