The first half of 2016 was very busy for us. We did a lot of work on our house in Florida so we could put it on the market, we sold another piece of commercial property. Bill’s mom passed away and he was responsible for all of the estate work. And we had a big wedding to plan and execute. So after the wedding I called my sister in law and asked if she wanted to take a trip to Croatia and Slovenia with Gate 1 travel. So we booked their 12 night trip called 14 Day Dalmatian Isles, Croatia & Slovenia.
It is a 12 night trip that starts in Dubrovnik and ends in Venice. I’ve never been to Croatia or Slovenia and the small group tour appealed to me as well as the itinerary. There were some other trips that spent less time on the coastal sites and more inland but I wanted to see the islands and experience the Adriatic if only from the land. I flew to Athens to spend a relaxing sunny week in Crete first with family and then met Bonnie in Dubrovnik.
Dubrovnik is everything you hear about this breathtaking ancient city. The Old Town is surrounded by thick protective walls and is perched on the edge of the Adriatic Sea. The town is mostly pedestrian except for service vehicles. 500 years ago Dubrovnik was a major maritime power. The city is very proud of its many years of freedom – it was the Republic of Dubrovnik for many centuries and somehow evaded being conquered by Venetians, Ottomans, Hungarians, Byzantine empires. Until 1808 when Napolean abolished the Republic.
Harbour from Dubrovnik Walls
Dubrovnik Symphony playing in the square. We had contemplated going to a paid concert at a church after dinner but this was an excellent alternative.
