Day Trip to Mostar, Bosnia and Herzegovina

For our last day, we decided to explore the nearby country of Bosnia and Herzegovina. Once again, we were able to sign up for a day tour the evening before.  Our tour bus left from Pile Gate at 8 am.

As you can see, most of the city is still sleeping.

Pile Gate

Our first pit stop to use the restroom, get coffee, etc. Up to this point, the drive along the coast of Croatia was incredible. On your way there, make sure to sit on the left side. You'll get the best views.

After about another hour on the road, we ended up at our first destination: Kravice Waterfalls, which is located in Bosnia and Herzegovina. 

Kravice Waterfalls is a popular place to swim and picnic in the summertime. It's also a beautiful place to visit, year-round. 

After exploring Kravice Waterfalls, we made our way over to Mostar. We had about 3 hours to walk around and explore the city.  

These outdoor markets will make you feel like you've stepped right into Aladdin. Lots of good shopping and unique gifts for souveniers.

Lots of fine hand-made linens and copper. We bought a hand-painted copper bowl and a copper coffee grinder.

We only had time for one meal in Mostar, and we are so glad that we chose Tima Irma. Authentic, delicious, and fresh Bosnian food.

Cevapi (rolled veal sausages with pita bread and a red bell pepper spread)

Pileci raznjici (grilled chicken skewers with cucumbers, tomatoes, pita bread, feta cheese, and a red bell pepper spread.

The owner was really kind and brought us some cheese spread to try, which can only be found in Bosnia. Before we left, she gave us their postcard and a bottle of local beer.

 This is what Mostar is known for, the Stari Most (Old Bridge). Mostar was named after the bridge keepers (mostari) who guarded the Old Bridge in medieval times. The bridge stood for over 400 years before it was destroyed in the war. It was rebuilt and reopened in 2004.

The Bazaar in Mostar

Stari Most

Copper and colorful fabrics in the Bazaar

Another view of Stari Most from the bottom of the stairs. The locals will collect money to see if their comrade to jump off the bridge, which seems to be a common pastime.

After returning to Croatia, we stopped at Barba (seafood meets streetfood) for dinner.

They have wooden utensils for eating, but they also supply markers for decorating them and displaying them on the wall.

Fresh Octopus Salad

Octopus Burger

Tempura Prawns

Although we spent the entire day in another country (and added a few more stamps to our passports), we made it back just in time to watch one more sunset in Croatia. The more sunsets we watch, the more marvelous they become. Until next time...

"To travel is to live." -Hans Christian Anderson

Dubrovnik City Wall Walk and Cable Car

If you only have one day in Dubrovnik, I would suggest spending it on the City Wall Walk. It may be the highlight of your visit. It's a 2 km walk around the city with dramatic views of the coast and famous tiled rooftops. The wall was constructed between the 12th-17th centuries and surrounds the entire perimeter of Old Town. The walk can get crowded during the day, so try going early. We went when it opened, which was 8 am.

There are several entrances to the Wall Walk. We chose the one close to the main street (Stradun), which was closest to Pile Gate.

Once we got to the top of the stairs, we headed to the left. This will bring you to a view of Fort Lovrijenac.

The Bell Tower and Onofrio's Fountain

Another view of Fort Lovrijenac

Nature combined with the man-made beauty of historic times creates a lasting impression.

The width of the walls ranges from 13-20 feet on the landward side, but it's much more narrow on the seaward side.

A view of Lokrum Island

The walk takes you all the way around the port on the southeastern side of Old Town.

In the distance, you can see St. Ivan Fortress. It was built in the 14th century and is now home to the Maritime Museum.

The Wall gets pretty high in some places, so don't look down if you're afraid of heights.

Minceta Tower was completed in 1464, now serves as a museum.

The walkway around Minceta Tower, also a familiar scene from Game of Thrones...

Also known as the House of the Undying from GOTs. You may recognize this as the scene where Daenerys goes to get her dragons back.

Another view of Minceta Tower

The walk takes about 1-2 hours, depending on how long you linger and/or take photos. We made it back in time to stop by the outdoor market for some fresh cherries and apricots.

We took the cable car up to the top of Dubrovnik (on Hill Srd) around 6pm. It only takes 4 minutes to get from bottom to top, which is much faster than what it took when it was first constructed in 1969.

The top of Srd is 412 meters above sea level, which provides for some spectacular views.

Cable Car up to Srd Hill

We stopped by Dalmatino's for dinner, which is known for it's seafood.

Black ink seafood risotto

Truffle pasta

Lobster fettuccine 

Hidden off of one of the alleyways in Old Town is Dolce Vita, and enticing place for dessert.

Any day that ends with real gelato, probably means that it was a good day. Today was exceptionally wonderful. One more day left on this anniversary trip, and we hope to make the most of it.

Top Photography Location in Dubrovnik, Croatia

One of the best ways to get this iconic shot of Old Town Dubrovnik is to pack a drone in your suitcase. However, if you do not happen to have one, fear not! Follow along to see where you can get comparable (if not better) shots of this magnificent view of Dubrovnik.

Venture outside of Old Town through Pile Gate and head to the left. It won't be long before you spot the majestic Fort Lovrijenac.

It's not a surprise that this impressive spot made it into Game of Thrones. On a quiet day, one can imagine Sansa Stark and Shae watching the ships go by.

Take a journey past the hobbit-like dwellings, up the grand staircase, and you'll find yourself looking at one of the most historic and breath-taking views you will experience...

Take in a breath of fresh air as you marvel at the sights from the entrance of Fort Lovrijenac (which stands 121 feet above sea level).

Fort Lovrijenac dates back to the 11th century. High ceilings and spectacular views, what more could a soldier ask for?

Another popular filming location for Game of Thrones. Do you remember what battle scenes were fought here?

The perfect place to sit and ponder about the talented architects of the Middle Ages. Incredible artists. 

Inside the walls of Fort Lovrijenac.

Fort Lovrijenac

Fort Lovrijenac

More views from inside the walls of Fort Lovrijenac. Plan enough time to explore, there's a lot to see!

Don't forget to explore the trails on the other side of Fort Lovrijenac. You'll come across this quiet little lagoon.

Although it seems miles away, Fort Lovrijenac is just a short walk from the city walls.  So, you can make it back in time for dinner on the patio.

Unlike Texas, the prime seats are the ones outside. So, expect longer waits for patio seating (if you didn't already make reservations).

Since we're talking about beautiful views, this is the entrance to a unique, cliff-side bar called Cafe Buza (or the "hole-in-the-wall").

Cafe Buza gets crowded in the evenings; t's a great place to watch the sunset.

Sunset from Cafe Buza

A late dinner at Pizzeria Oliva, which is located behind St. Blaise Church

Calzone with peppers, sausage, ricotta, and mozzarella

Neopolitan-style pizza

Onofrio's Fountain at night

People watching is way more interesting in another country. You can observe the different languages, gestures, behaviors, and cultures. One thing that remains the same, though, is love. Can you spot the lovers who stopped to embrace in the street?

When the moonlight hits the limestone, Old Town takes on a whole new glow. One thing about Croatia is that it doesn't matter where you are. The views will likely take your breath away. And you better be ready to stop and savor the moment.

Top 10 things to see on Lokrum Island

If you're looking for a quick day trip from Dubrovnik, I would highly recommend visiting Lokrum Island. It's a quick 15-20 min boat ride from Dubrovnik and costs 120 Kunas, which includes a round trip and entrance into the nature reserve (i.e. the entire island!) Lots of unexpected sites and hidden treasures.

Leaving the harbour of Old Town Dubrovnik, on our way to Lokrum

The view from the ferry

We left on the first ferry out (9am), so we had our choice on where to sit

Entrance to Lokrum. There are several maps along the way, but it helps if you take a picture of one to follow along the way.

1.) The views from Lokrum are spectacular, some of the best on the Adriatic. Some of the hiking trails are rocky, but don't be afraid to explore them until you reach a dead end. Or, better yet, a view like this!

2.) A secret garden in itself, Lokrum has it's own Botanical Garden with 800 exotic plants from various parts of the world.

Similar to a scene from Dr. Seuss, the Botanical Garden also boasts a variety of exotic bugs and insects.

3.) The free-roaming peacocks and rabbits! Hidden beneath the whimsical trees, this made the island more magical than it already was. Originally brought over from the Canary Islands by Maximilian, they are now the only residing inhabitants of Lokrum Island.

4.) "The Path of Paradise" is the tree-lined path that was created during the time of Maximilian. It'll take you up to Fort Royal, which is the next stop on our list...

5.) Fort Royal is the highest point on Lokrum. It was originally built by the French army in 1806 and eventually completed around 1835. 

Feel free to explore the inside of Fort Royal, entrance is free.

The view from Fort Royal is well worth the hike to get up here. You can see Dubrovnik in the distance.

A bird's eye view of Fort Royal (centered on Lokrum Island) and Dubrovnik.

Can you spot the Fort?

Old Town Dubrovnik, a picturesque European town

Going back to my #1 thing to see on Lokrum...the views! Take some time to sit, unplug, and enjoy the scenery around you.

Old Town Dubrovnik

Each trail leads to something new and unexpected, don't be afraid to take them all

6.) Find the Cross of Triton. It was constructed in honor of the perished sailors from the Austrian war ship “Triton.”

7.) Kayak around the Island. Since Lokrum is so close to Dubrovnik, kayaking makes for another easy way of transporting yourself to/from the Island. Plus, with crystal clear waters, you're bound to encounter some interesting sea creatures.

8.) Float in The Dead Sea (Mrtvo More). This salt-filled sea is rocky, so bring your swim shoes!

The Dead Sea on Lokrum

9.) Climb the Rock formations. Lokrum is composed of limestone and dolomite rocks, which were deposited around 85 million years ago.

Who knew rocks could be so beautiful?

Layers upon layers of history in the making.

The peacocks love the attention and will put on a show for you, just wait and see

10.) Find the city of Qarth and the Iron Throne! Ok, this is also known as the Monastery Complex, which includes the remnants of the basilica (12th and 13th centuries) and a monastery with a cloister garden (15th and 16th centuries).

If you venture around the Monastery, you'll find...

The Iron Throne from Game of Thrones! No lines and no fees to take a picture, what more could you ask for?

Lokrum has so much to offer and even more, including a nudist beach, water reservoirs, a quarantine hospital, gardens, and groves. You would never guess it, but the island is said to be cursed. So, be sure to catch the last ferry out by dusk. The peacocks may even bid you farewell.

Game of Thrones or Real Life?

We took a 3.5 hour ferry ride from Hvar to Dubrovnik (aka King's Landing). It was the one day out of our entire trip where it was rainy and cold for the majority of the day. Not a good day for traveling, but we made the most of it. From the ferry, we took the bus to Pile Gate, which is a drawbridge from the 1500s and the main entrance to Old Town Dubrovnik. It was our first glimpse into scenes filmed from Game of Thrones in Dubrovnik.

Pile Gate is the arched entryway that is pictured here. This was used for many background scenes in Game of Thrones, including the Lannister procession.

The main street of Old Town Dubrovnik is lined with many shops and restaurants. Be careful when it rains, the marble-lined floors are very slippery!

Be forewarned...Old Town Dubrovnik has many steep steps (equivalent to about 8-10 flights of stairs). Thank goodness for our luggage backpacks! Highly recommended, as it would have been impossible for my wife to carry her luggage up those steep steps by herself.

Like many European towns, the rooms are very small, but cozy. Apartments Bottega was in a very convenient location inside of Old Town Dubrovnik. The stone walls added a nice touch to the ancient architecture of the building.

With Bosnia being a close neighbor to Croatia, Bosnian food is easy to find. Taj Mahal was one of such places and highly recommended. A small restaurant, so wait times may be long at peak hours.

Pljeskavica Stuffed With Cheese (think hamburger stuffed with cheese, aka juicy lucy); so tasty packed with flavor

One of the Taj Mahal specialties...rolled veal and turkey in dough filled with mushrooms and cheese

Another background scene used to film Game of Thrones; used for most of the market scenes in King's Landing.

Church of the Holy Annunciation, as Serbian Orthodox church built in 1877

Saint Ignatius Church in Old Town Dubrovnik

Inside of Saint Ignatius Church in Old Town Dubrovnik

One of the most iconic steps in Game of Thrones, the Jesuit Stairs. You all know what was filmed here, the "Walk of Shame."

Cersei's view before she descended on her Walk of Shame.

The Dubrovnik Cathedral is a Roman Catholic cathedral that has been rebuilt several times due to war and natural disasters.

Inside of the Dubrovnik Cathedral

Rector's Palace was closed for renovations while we were there, but it was used by elected rectors to govern Dubrovnik from the 14th century to 1808. It was also used for the scene where Daenerys asks the Spice King of Qarth for ships to take her army across the Narrow sea.

Church of Saint Blaise, a Baroque church that was built in 1715

Outdoor cafes in Dubrovnik are plentiful. The weather was cool in the evenings (late May) and the air was always filled with the sound of live music.

Exploring outside the city walls of Old Town Dubrovnik

The entrance to the oldest pharmacy in Europe, The Old Pharmacy in Franciscan Monastery that was built in 1317.

Franciscan Church and Monastery in Old Town Dubrovnik 

The Cloister in the Franciscan Monastery

Onofrio's Fountains, which was a complex aqueduct system from the 1400s. Croatia has some of the cleanest drinking water in the world (we drank from the tap and didn't get sick) 

St Dominic Street, used in many of the market scenes in Game of Thrones

Malvasija, a quaint little wine bar located on the street leading up to our apartment

Grk is a white wine that is made on the island of Korcula, which is another town that we visited earlier on our trip. Similar to a Pinot Grigio, Grk is a dry wine.

Charcuterie board made up of local meats and cheeses

Malvasija Wine Bar in Old Town Dubrovnik

Cities tend to take on a whole new personality at night. These are some of the same places that were visited earlier in the day. 

The main street of Old Town Dubrovnik at night

Wandering the alleys of Old Town Dubrovnik

Jesuit Stairs at night

Church of Saint Blaise

The port of Old Town Dubrovnik

With a night like this, it's easy to allow one's imagination to wander. To a time of kingdoms, castles, and dragons.

Far from a night that is "dark and full of terrors."

Although night has fallen, the water is so clear and calm that you can see every rock and creature on the bottom of the sea. The bright lights reflect a rainbow of colors, and the misty clouds add to the dream-like trance of this historic land.