We Heart Dubrovnik
We docked in Dubrovnik on the most GORGEOUS day. The group was keeping an eagle eye on the weather prior to arrival. On the weather app, Dubrovnik always seemed to have a 40-50% chance of rain during the dates we were visiting. It never did rain, and it never looked like it was going to rain at all - HOT and sunny the whole time. So, when we docked, we were so stoked to enjoy the 85 degree temp whilst floating in our private pool!
At the port, we disembarked pretty quickly, only to wait in the passport line for about 45 minutes. Upon exiting the terminal, there was a Mercedes van just waiting there for someone to grab. We all jumped in for the short 15 minute ride.
Our divine Dubrovnik lair.
Photo credit: homeowner Robert
Our airbnb was spectacular! Deb inquired beforehand; the homeowner Robert was kind enough to let us check-in immediately. We were greeted by our hostess Jalena. She is Robert’s mom. She and her husband Michael live on the third floor of the villa; they manage the property. The home we rented was actually two residences. On the lower level, there was a one-bed, one-bath apartment with kitchen and large deck; Deb and Steve stayed there. The level above had a 2-bed/bath apartment, also with a large deck, we got comfy there with the Knights. On the very lowest level of the property, the pool, jacuzzi and cabana sat pristinely on the Adriatic. Pinch me! Thanks to Robert’s kindness, we were settled in by 10am!
Everything was nearly perfect - unfortunately, Steve felt like crap. He caught my cold AND his tooth was ACHING. Wouldn’t you know Jalena knew a nearby dentist within walking distance. Michael walked Steve and Deb over. The dentist determined Steve had an infected cavity. She prescribed antibiotics and painkillers. Deb went out to fill the scripts; Steve crashed and the rest of us suited up for the pool.
Jalena had left welcome baskets for us in our apartment with wine, bread, fruit and sweets. That sustained us for the afternoon as we moved from terrace to terrace at our leisure, dunked in the pool, sunned and enjoyed not having an agenda. Dave was so happy to be doing nothing - except skimming the pool. He likes that.
Early in the evening, we decided to walk next door to the Rixos Libertas Dubrovnik Hotel for cocktails before exploring the old city.
The Rixos is fancy-shmancy and ginormous. After wandering around the massive upstairs lobby, the six of us went out to the loungy pool bar for a chill time with some cold cocktails. We were easing in nicely to Dubrovnik. The pool bar had plenty of comfortable couch seating - it was white and bright. House music was thumpin’, which was not vibing at all with the laid back atmosphere. Oh well, “cheers!” Cocktails cost considerably less than Positano even at The Rixos.
After one round, the old walled city was calling. Getting an uber is uber easy. The app syncs with your location. There is no need to use a European version. We arrived just before 8pm. The plaza surrounding the entrance was quite busy, but not overwhelming. We entered the walled city via a short bridge and walked down a couple flights of stone stairs that led through a grand archway emerging back in time.
It was indeed a city with many structures inside its massive walls. I was struck by the shiny stone street. Over the centuries, the stone had been polished to a smooth sheen that reflected what was left of the day’s light.
One of the many meandering walkways that often led to a plaza.
As we walked the main thoroughfare, there were narrow walkways to either side leading to shops, restaurants, small hotels and residences. I assumed everything within the walls originated at ground level - nope! Walkways to our left had several flights of stairs. Of course, we made a left and headed upstairs! There were so many restaurants with seating indoors or out. After looking at menus and trying to find a place that felt right, we chose outdoor seating at Wanda.
Restaurants, one after the other, line the walled city's narrow passages. Photo credit Wanda
The best part of restaurant Wanda was our server Izabela. She has this, “I could give zero f#&%s” type of demeanor, but she really did care and she was a great help with menu choices. We loved talking with her. Izabela had lived in LA for a while so there was some common ground besides digging her prickly personality. She was a hoot! And it wasn’t the last time we saw Izabela...
An example of a narrow walkway at ground level with stairs leading to - who knows?!
The food… I really enjoyed my black risotto with cuttlefish down to the last bite - cleaning my plate as I always do. Everyone else from what I recall, liked their food too. Dave was having a moment. He felt a little nauseated and overheated. I went inside, grabbed some ice, placed it in a damp napkin and wrapped it around the back of his neck. The cool compress did the trick; he felt better and soldiered on!
On the way out of old town, we stopped for some pastries to have in the morning. Then off we ubered for a nightcap at our phat apartment on the Adriatic.
