Day 1
Take a walking tour with a local guide
My favorite way to explore a city is to go for a walk with a local. If you are not lucky enough to have a friend from Dubrovnik, I suggest that you book a walk with the locals. I decided to take an early morning walk with local tour guide Mia as I wanted to take photos of the walls and picturesque streets before the cruise ship crowd went down.
I was impressed with how Mia knew the context of her city, and it’s not a short and simple story either. Life in Dubrovnik dates back to a 7th-century settlement, perhaps older, although its golden Years were from 1358 to 1806 AD, when it was a profitable trading city that functioned as an independent republic. Dubrovnik after became part of the French and Austrian Empires, merged into Yugoslavia and is now a vibrant city in modern Croatia. Mia shared a handful of stories from each era highlighting different architectural styles to reflect historical events.
I was impressed with how Mia knew the context of her city, and it’s not a short and simple story either. Life in Dubrovnik dates back to a 7th-century settlement, perhaps older, although its golden Years were from 1358 to 1806 AD, when it was a profitable trading city that functioned as an independent republic. Dubrovnik after became part of the French and Austrian Empires, merged into Yugoslavia and is now a vibrant city in modern Croatia. Mia shared a handful of stories from each era highlighting different architectural styles to reflect historical events.
Day 2
Volunteer at Zarkovica Animal Shelter
Unlike most cities in Europe, you will not notice stray dogs walking around Dubrovnik, as they are all safely kept in the Zarkovica shelter. Zarkovica is a large but simple complex with only 3 employees and negligible state funding, so they rely on volunteers to run the place. Volunteers usually help dogs to train in the morning and clean the cages in the afternoon, but there are several other ways to help, such as. Repair fences and kennels and take dogs to the vet. I helped by photographing friendly puppies to help them find their forever home.
Day 3
Take the ferry to the island of Lokrum
Day 3 is away from the Old town and relax in the sun on the island of Lokrum. The island is a National Reserve, so no cars are allowed and the only things you can do are to explore, sunbathe, swim and eat (aka “relaxing happiness”). Ferries to Lokrum depart every half hour from the port of the Old Town of Dubrovnik and cost 150kN round trip (no need to set the return time – just jump on a ferry).
I arrived in Lokrum around 10:15 am and spent about an hour walking through the Botanical Gardens and the monastery complex that served as the filming location for qarth in Game of Thrones. Keep an eye open for resident rabbits and peacocks (with babies!), then make yourself comfortable on a nearby rocky beach for ultimate relaxation and swimming. If hunger calls you, go to the Lacroma restaurant for lunch.
