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Top Things to do in Dubrovnik

September 8, 2017
Exploring Dubrovnik

To help with your planning we’ve highlighted our top things to do in Dubrovnik

Why visit: Crystal clear water, uninhabited virgin islands, fresh seafood and Mediterranean weather.

Where to stay: We stayed at Neptun Hotel in Babin Kuk, which is just 15 minutes away from the Old Port. This upscale hotel has a spa, four swimming pools and three in-house restaurants serving delicious local cuisines. The seafront room we stayed in was literally ten feet from the Adriatic and it doesn’t get better than that.

What to Do:

1) City Walls: All the guidebooks tell you that the City Walls is a must-do – and it’s true. If you hike up the serpentine staircases of these historic walls, you’ll be rewarded with a breathtaking view of the sea, changing in hue from azure to emerald by the shadows cast by the clouds above. There’s nothing quite like the joy that accompanies the sight of the endless horizon.

2) Hidden Coves: If you want to escape the heaving crowds, then this is the perfect thing to do. We found several secluded coves around the city, but the one next to the Nautika Restaurant is breathtaking, to say the least. A beautiful idyll that feels like a world away from the hustle and bustle of the Old Town. There’s a dizzying flight of stairs with a metal railing that leads you all the way up to the vantage point. We spent the day swimming in the crystal-clear waters and basking in the beauty of this hidden gem.

3) Island Hopping: Dubrovnik offers plenty to explore, a day trip to the neighbouring islands is an experience unlike any other. Roughly 15 minutes from the city, Lokrum is ideal for snorkelling or hiking up the vertiginously sloping paths. This uninhabited island is home to pines and cypress trees, which fills the air with a lilting scent. There’s an idyllic salt-rich lake that’s perfect for those of us who are not brave enough to swim in the sea.

4) Cable Car: While the cable car ride is all too brief, the view is nothing short of sublime. We booked a table at the Panorama Restaurant and watched the sky turn hues of gold and amber as the sun went down. The food, the ambience and the pavonine sky made it a surreal affair. It was a magical experience. Anything I say would be too little, so I’m going to let the pictures do the talking.

5) Boat/Ferry/Yacht Ride: You can opt for a private yacht tour or hop onto a boat cruise to go island-hopping. We visited Elaphite Islands, which is a small archipelago consisting of several islands. We made quick pit stops at Šipan, Koločep and Lopud – although they aren’t very different from each other, they are beautiful nonetheless. The highlight of the cruise was the freshly cooked meal we had aboard while basking in the sun.

6) Cliff Bar: Nestled in the tiny bylanes of the old walled city, Buza Bar provides sweeping views of the Adriatic sea. Buzzy music, local beer and friendly staff make this place an absolute must-visit. This hole-in-the-wall dive bar is perpetually crowded, so get there early if you want a table with a view. Or can grab a drink and sit on the cliff to watch the waves roll in against the sunset.

7) Game of Thrones tour: This walking tour takes you to many filming locations of the HBO series Game of Thrones. Some of the guides appeared as extras in the show and they bring the whole thing to life with first-hand experiences and juicy anecdotes.

What to pack: Hiking shoes, summery dresses and a chic pair of sunglasses. You can read about what I packed here.

Where To Take A Great Instagram: There are plenty gram-worthy spots, but my top two recommendations are the charming stone alleys of Old Dubrovnik and the rock staircase carved through the cliff near Brsalje.

 

 

 

 

 

Top Things to do in Dubrovnik


Things to do in Dubrovnik

 

 

 

 

General Travel

French Riviera Travel Guide and Tips

June 15, 2016
French Riveria

Day 1

Nice, the capital of the French Riviera was love at first sight for us. The undulating Promenade des Anglais, lanes dotted with quaint chapels and boulangeries teeming with people are all an inordinately beautiful sight. On our first day, we sauntered through the entire stretch of the promenade while relishing a gelato and thinking c’est la vie! One of the best places to enjoy the view is to climb up the winding stairs of Le château de Nice (Castle hill) There are various entrances, or you can even take the free lift. This medieval castle is a maze of greenery that offers stunning views of the old town and the port. We spent the entire day wandering around and exploring this place. We even chanced upon a waterfall that was built during the 18th century. As the evening light started to set in, we walked over to the beach to bask in the warm glow.

French RivieraDay 2

Eze Village

The next morning, we took a bus to Eze Village – make sure you sit on the right side of the bus to enjoy the plentiful vistas. Following a quick breakfast of buttery croissants and black coffee, we headed to explore the fortified village. Perched on a rocky peak, this village offers an outstanding view of the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula. Dotted with quaint boutiques and bougainvillaea-covered villas, this place has maze-like streets that lead to beautiful courtyards and hidden alleys. Next, we climbed up to the Jardin Exotique, where an abundance of succulent plants surrounds the castle ruins. Perfect place to enjoy a quiet moment.

Monaco

After spending three hours in Eze, we took another bus to Monaco. On reaching, we headed to a restaurant overlooking the harbour to devour dried cod cooked in tomato sauce and pasta with Mediterranean vegetables. The wide variety of museums and sites reflects the importance of art, history and culture in Monaco. We walked around the harbour for a while enjoying the sight of docked yachts dancing around in the water. Post that, we walked to the Oceanographic Museum from the old port. Although it’s quite a walk, the view is breathtaking! We highly suggest you do this instead of taking a bus or a cab. The Oceanographic Museum is a neoclassical building that houses over 6000 species in a spectacular underwater environment. The shark lagoon is a must-visit, it will surely blow your mind. In the same vicinity, you’ll also find the magnificent Prince’s Palace, the white stone Cathedral and the Chapel of Mercy. Instead of walking all the way back to the old port, there’s an exit next to the palace that’ll take you back into the city.

French Riviera

French RivieraFrench RivieraDay 3

Cannes

Pronounced as ‘can’, this place is all about glitz and glamour. From taking pictures on the red carpet to dining at upscale restaurants, you can do it all. While there’s nothing much to see apart from the razzle-dazzle, there are a few places that are worth a visit. Head over to Forville Market to taste the local delight – Socca (chickpea crepes), walk through the charming neighbourhood of Le Suquet or shop for vintage knick-knacks at Rue Meynadier. If you have time we would surely recommend taking a ferry to Ile Sainte-Marguerite – a beautiful island with a fort and maritime museum.

While Eze still remains the best part about our trip, the French Riviera certainly did steal our hearts forever.


ile sainte marguerite french rivieraSoccaHandy Tips

1. We booked an Uber from the airport to Nice using the wifi available at the airport and it cost us 19€, an alternative is to use the express bus which costs 6€ per person. Note that when you pull up your list of available wifi networks at the airport, you will probably see ‘FreeWifi’: this is NOT free, ‘Free’ is a network provider and it’s only free… if you pay!

2. We chose Nice as our base and travelled to Eze, Monaco and Cannes

3. Buy these handy Foldable water bottles as you will need it while exploring the city plus you can easily clip it to your bag.

4. When you get on the train to Cannes, the stop you need to get off is Cannes Voyagers, not Cannes la Bocca.

5. Nice has 3 stops Riquier, St Augustine and Nice Ville figure out which station your Hotel is the  closest to

6. Validate your ticket in the little yellow machines before getting on to the train, if you’re on a tram you can do this once you get in.