Old city of Dubrovnik was our last stop on our UNESCO's World Heritage tour of Croatia. Many call it the 'Pearl of the Adriatic', a name I heard only recently, but understood the reasons for it immediately upon arriving to the old city. In past, I visited Dubrovnik and its historical attractions several times, but it was this visit that really made me see with my eyes wide open the grand beauty of the old city. 

We arrived to our hotel at Lapad peninsula in the late Sunday afternoon. It was a day of traveling, resting and preparing for tomorrow's adventure in the old city. We explored Lapad by foot and even took a few brave steps through some darker alleys that followed the coast line and paid off as we were rewarded with an amazing view of the Lapad bay at night. 

View of the old city from the city walls.

Today we had an early start. However small Dubrovnik's old city may seem from the air, it is quite big for a one day of touristic sightseeing. Our first steps were towards the city walls which run almost 2 km/1.2 mi around the city itself. It may seem strange why it was so tiring to walk those almost 2 km, but the heat took its toll along with thirst, mass of tourists and all the ups and downs we had to take to explore all the turrets and towers that had a protective role in city’s past. It was breathtaking to climb to the highest point of the walls and experience the view of the entire old city beneath our feet. It was then that I could imagine it being alive and standing independent with no other settlements in sight, as it was in the past. It was also very intriguing to witness the skillful manner in which today’s citizens adjusted to the city’s layout and size - the old city has at least two playgrounds I was lucky to notice.  

The rest of the day was spent exploring museums, farmer’s market, historic attractions and other hidden treasures. Some even took a boat ride and a ride with cableway. Unfortunately they did not take any photographs, but at least they soaked in the entire experience without distractions. We arrived at the hotel in the late afternoon and relaxed our swollen joints in the sea. We had to prepare for watching the soccer game somehow. I believe I would have chosen that method anytime.

We said our goodbyes with the ‘Chicago group’ tonight as they will stay in Dubrovnik a day longer and we unfortunately have to leave early in the morning. Michael, Alice and Brittany from UCF are joining us for the trip back. Our next brief stop before home is Zadar.

This trip was short and tiring, but that did not make it any less exciting or fulfilling. It was a thrill traveling to astounding places with open-hearted, kind and curious fellow explorers, students and professors, with great sense of humor. This was a perspective changing journey which I am very grateful to be a part of and will reminisce often in my lifetime. My big gratitude goes to all the wonderful people who shaped this experience and made it unforgettable, to all organizing parties and faculty members who made it possible and took great care of us and to the universities and faculty involved in supporting the project the enabling it to happen.

This certainly is one of many more adventures to come, but is one with big significance and influence on my life.