Croatian Holiday

Hello, my name is Eset, and I am a travel enthusiast and the newest contributor to Love + Leisure Blog. I journal some of my most memorable travel experiences in my little corner of the internet at dapsetgo.com. I'm here to share an amazing trip we took to Croatia and the properties we got to stay in. 

It was the summer of 2021. Temperatures were rising, the world was tentatively opening up, and we were entertaining the idea of getting away for a summer holiday. After being homebound for the last year, we were itching to get lost in a foreign city and immerse ourselves in different languages and cultures. We carved out two weeks to explore Central Europe starting at the captivating medieval Prague, making our way south to the regal and imperial Vienna. After devouring some tasty goulashes and schnitzels, we ended our trip on the southern coast of Croatia. When researching the best places to visit in Croatia, Dubrovnik kept coming up as the best mix of history, scenic beaches, and great hotels. Once we got a glimpse of the sea of red-tiled roofs, turquoise waters, and colorful alleyways we knew this was the city we wanted to visit.

Coined the Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik is a coastal town with fortifications that stood for more than five centuries. Slender ships sailing in the gleaming Adriatic Sea, and limestone forts jetting out from rock outcrops, terra-cotta rooftops canvasing the hillside; are a few of the sights that leave an indelible impression. Inside city walls lay the Baroque Old Town emanating the rich history of this former mighty republic with its prominent monasteries, well-preserved churches, and lavish mansions. The city's draw was in its romantic sun-washed limestone walls, small boats floating in the bay, stairs to mysterious heights, and lively corners with water wells. It's the magic that was captured in King's Landing from the popular Game of Thrones.

For our stay in Dubrovnik, we chose Hotel More, a 5-star boutique property carved out on a hillside. The property was about a 10-min drive to the Old Town and close enough to all the sights but far enough for the buzzing nightlife. Its tranquil seaside views were a warm welcome and a refreshing start to the last leg of our journey. Upon arrival in the late afternoon, we headed to the beach for a dip in the clear waters of the bay. We stumbled upon the remarkable cave bar on the lower level which enveloped us with cool air and twinkling ceiling lights. It was a surreal segway before stepping onto the waterfront. With its location, beautiful seaside views, fantastic restaurants, and beachfront access; this award-winning hotel checks off all the boxes for a remarkable hotel. 

Over the next two days, we explored the Old Town and its surroundings. We walked the city walls with our toddler in tow and stopped frequently to take in the magnificent views and replenish with freshly squeezed juice. We wandered through the Old Town, getting lost in the little alleyways and ducking into churches to absorb the serenity. We got to partake in one of our favorite activities, people watching while sipping wine from a corner bistro. There were several activities for the adventurous souls, from kayaking in the bright green Adriatic Sea; catching a ferry to Lokrum island to explore lush gardens and secluded swimming holes; and taking a dip in the warm waters from one of the rocky beaches.

After a glorious few days of exploring the Old Town, it was time to get away from the crowds and experience the other side of the coast. Cavtat is a beautiful seaside town that can be reached with a scenic boat ride from the bustling port in Dubrovnik. Getting off the boat we were immediately struck by the relaxed atmosphere of the town. We planned to stay at Hotel Croatia, a 5-star resort with a stunning waterfront and expansive grounds. It is ideally located right off of the marina, and main promenade with a flight of stairs leading to the hotel from the waterfront. With tiered rocky beaches, outdoor and indoor pools, and luxurious spas it was an idyllic location to spend our last two days in Croatia. The spacious resort was a beautiful maze to navigate as we sampled the different restaurants and stumbled onto different family-friendly activities. On our last night, we caught a beautiful sunset from our balcony as we soaked in the final moments of our long-awaited holiday. We vowed to come back to explore other cities along the coast like Split and Havar, and even take a boat to Montenegro.