Discovering the many delights of Dubrovnik

Often referred to as the pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik in Croatia regularly comes out on top as one of the most enchanting places to visit. Not even earthquakes and armed conflict have damaged its beautiful churches, monasteries, fountains and palaces from many periods in history, including Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque.

UNESCO have helped to provide a restoration programme that befits such a picture perfect postcard red-roofed town. This magnificent walled city overlooking the calm waters of the Adriatic Sea grew out of a golden age of merchant shipping that made it affluent. This affluence made it a centre of culture and art, great architecture and wealthy aristocratic Palazzi.

Dubrovnik has everything you could need for a memorable holiday; great beaches, top class food (especially from the sea) as well as days out exploring, just within the city walls. Visitor numbers continue to rise in Dubrovnik as its reputation spreads, although out of high season you will not feel like it is an overcrowded city.

Some of the best months to discover Dubrovnik are May to June or September to October. During these periods you will experience plenty of sun, warm seas just right for swimming, and enough restaurants, bars and attractions to delight any tourist. During the peak season, July to August, you get the Dubrovnik Summer Festival and a busy nightlife, but there will be a lot more people, and prices will be higher.

The majority of interesting attractions can be found in the pedestrian old town area, inside the medieval walls. Two tremendous arched gates, announce the entrances of the old town, and they are linked by an impressive thoroughfare, which on each side you are presented by a complex grid of characterful narrow alleyways, including stone steps, some of which are fairly steep. This is the area to find plenty of cafés, shops, restaurants, bars and nightlife.