Dubrovnik: The Best of Times

A clay model of this old, walled city.

Dubrovnik is the third of four UNESCO World Heritage cite on our itinerary (Tower of London, Split, and then upcoming Venice), and the one I was most looking forward to. The 13th century walls were built to walk easily upon, and it was another carless city of medieval wonders and alleyway charm.

And upon arrival, this is what our kids thought of it.

Luckily, after a little stop at 

….it got better.

We did a self-guided tour, and got to show our kids inside of some of the amazing churches with their gold and silver alters, icons, and relics. We have not hid our skepticism from the kids and we may have all guffawed a bit at the gorgeous canister holding Jesus's diaper.  St. Blaise's has the Incorruptible body of St. Silvan, I promise, right under the wax figure of him that shows him looking Incorruptible.  (Spend a little time researching "incorruptible saints" and in no time, you'll rabbit trail to stigmata and other mysteries that are fun to google along with "skeptic".)

Did we enjoy the architecture?  Well, look for this on Wesley's bedroom door in the near future...

 ...and something like this in our backyard.  You can start placing your bets on whether can Dwayne have the trifecta: columns, arches, and wife.

Yep, just a little bit of that fortress wall.  Dwayne and I have a deal: if he gets balustrades, I get a turret.

 

And it abuts right up to the bluest part of Adriatic Sea.  Location, location, location--it's what kept Dubrovnik unconquered for 7 centuries or so.

We didn't do much for souvenirs, but we bought each of the kids a bracelet on their choice on the Stradun (main walking street in Old Town).  

From top to bottom, Piper, Wes, and Kyla

We eventually left the city in the gate opposite we came in to head to the most crowded beach yet. But, as I like to say, you can pee for free in the sea.  So totally worth it.  We lost no kids, cooled down, and then were ready to see a little more of Dubrovnik before bringing the kids back to the hotel. 

The kids chose to have cheeseburgers at the place just down from the hotel and Dwayne and I got ready for an evening out while the kids chillaxed in their room.  We let the hotel know they had permission to go down to the restaurant for hot cocoa later that evening and to charge it to our rooms.  I like that our kids thrive on being "independent together".  Ahem, I just wished I had reminded them to wear clothes when they went down.  Sheesh.

And then Dwayne and I began our favorite evening of all.  

I was looking forward to promenading on the wall in the cooler temperature and without the extra cost of children.  But when we arrived at the gates at 7:20, we found they closed at 7.  I was Disappointed, but recovered to suggest finding the gondola that goes from the east city wall up to the top of the hill.  Turns out, it was perfect timing.

We hit the sunset over the islands beautifully as the city began to light up.

My only dinner requirement was for a rooftop terrace. I got it,and all my heart's desires, at the Panorama Restaurant at the top of the gondola. Not only did it allow us to avoid standing in the long line to head back down, but we had the most pleasant dinner--three times as good as anything else at only twice the cost, so a bargain!  This is what the terrace lookes like in daylight--a total grab-pic from Bing images.

And the view only got lovelier.  Dubrovnik, I'm not done with you yet!  I can't wait to return some day.