The Pearl of the Adriatic

Day 16
Dubrovnik, Croatia

My third flight this morning brought me to my third country on my trip around the world. Wheels were up from Barcelona on Iberia flight 1312 at 12:26 p.m. and we touched down in Dubrovnik about 2 hours later. Dubrovnik is a town of about 50,000 on the southern Dalmatian Coast that has a history dating back to the 7th century.

My short transfer from the airport brought me to the wonderfully located apartment that I’ll be staying at for the next three nights. The owner, Ivan Kalas, showed me around the orange groves and gardens of his home before explaining that the roof top patio of my apartment was completely demolished by a mortar during the shelling of this city in 1991. It has since been entirely rebuilt and, today, might offer one of the best views of the walled Old Town.

A quick walk through the port and narrow streets gave me a sense of Dubrovnik’s amazing topography and helped to explain why Lord Byron called this city the “Pearl of the Adriatic.”

But, even in a place as special as this, it’s assuring to know you’re never more than a couple of steps from your favorite designer’s boutique — here, Lacoste on the main marble-paved drag called the Strada.

The beaches of Dubrovnik have made it the summer destination for Europe’s jet-setters. Somewhat pebbly, they’re typical of the Mediterranean, although the views make them all the more spectacular.

It’s been a long day of traveling. Burt arrives here tomorrow and then we’ll spend the afternoon exploring all that Dubrovnik has to offer.