“Greetings from beautiful Dubrovnik! It is a cool, sunny day, much better weather than our previous visit during last August’s sweltering heat and overwhelming crowds. While still busy today, it was not nearly as packed as during summer’s prime travel season.
We skipped the repeat walk on the famous walls this time and instead wandered through the narrow, picturesque streets of the old town. These are a photographer’s delight, perfect for vertical shots of the steep alleyways that climb past cafes and curio shops toward the great walls and patches of blue sky.
Dubrovnik, once a powerful maritime republic, is a city steeped in history. Its strategic coastal location made it an important trading hub. The charming broad harbor, where our ship’s tenders transported us to and from the ship, offers stunning views of the city’s iconic stone fortifications that rise from the sea. It’s easy to imagine how it once bustled with merchants and sailors from across the Mediterranean.
Its popularity continues, especially among Game of Thrones fans who flock to see the many filming locations. This fame has also brought the same challenges as other popular European destinations – how to manage swelling tourism while preserving the charm and history that draws them. As today proved, visiting outside the peak season definitely makes for a more pleasant experience for tourists and city residents.
