Archive for the ‘Dubrovnik’ Category

Want to island-hop in Croatia this summer? Or are you just waiting for the ferry schedules to plan your holiday in Croatia? All the Split to Dubrovnik local ferry schedules from June 1 to September 30 are now available. The last hold-out was Jadrolinija, Croatia’s national ferry company which has not yet officially published their coastal car ferry schedule. They sent it to me this week though, along with the prices. I’ve also been able to obtain the not-yet-published versions of a few other schedules including the Orebic-Korcula and the Split-Trogir passenger ferry. All these schedules plus prices and booking information are now available for download in my popular Dalmatia Ferry Guide. Over the next week, I’ll be updating all the schedules on Croatia Traveller as well.

Prices

Speaking of prices. . .I’ve noticed substantial increases in the prices for some lines, especially passenger boats run by private companies. Jadrolinija has done a good job holding the line on price increases. In effect, the prices are the same as last year. Some of the smaller companies are making trips to the Croatian islands much more expensive, probably because of this year’s increase in fuel prices. Jadrolinija is state-subsidized which takes some of the pressure off.  Whenever possible, I recommend looking for a Jadrolinija ferry to take you to your destination. See more budget tips for your Croatian holiday.

Island-Hopping

Even with the price increases, island-hopping in Croatia is an incomparable experience. Curiously, it’s easier to day-trip to an island or to island-hop as a foot passenger than it is with a car. Car ferry links between islands are few and far between except for the coastal car ferry which only runs twice a week anyway. The easiest island to visit on a day trip from Split is Brac island with a daily boat that leaves in the morning from Split to Milna and returns in the afternoon. Vis island is a longer trip and can also be reached on a day trip from Split but only in July and August. For island-hopping you can go from Split to Bol on Brac and then to Jelsa on Hvar island (not on the same day) or Split to Hvar and then Korcula island (also not on the same day). There is a Korcula-Dubrovnik connection but only four days a week and only in July and August. And in Dubrovnik, you can do a day trip to Mljet island to visit the National Park (only in summer) or out to the unspoiled Elaphiti Islands.

You can work out all these trips and more in my handy ferry guide!

 

Dubrovnik in February? But of course. In the beginning of February Dubrovnik denizens turn out in force to celebrate their beloved city. The occasion is the Festival of St Blaise (Sv Vlaho), the patron saint of Dubrovnik. Statues of St Blaise dot the walled city and of course there is the splendid Church of St Blaise at the beginning of Stradun. It was to St Blaise that fearful residents prayed during the bombing of Dubrovnik in 1991.

Before the official opening of the festival on February 2 there are several weeks of special concerts, plays and exhibitions centered on the theme of St Blaise. February 3 is the feast day of St Blaise and for the two following days religious and secular events mark the special connection of Dubrovnik with Saint Blaise.

Here is the schedule of events for this year’s festival:
Thursday, February 2, 2012

When former tourism minister, Pave Zupan Ruskovic, commented that Dubrovnik could do without “drunk and crazy” Kiwis and Aussies, she was pilloried and then sacked from her job as destination manager in Dubrovnik. Tourism authorities hastened to reassure visitors from Down Under that they were more than welcome. But was she right? Could it be that these young revelers are a menace to themselves and others?

According to an Australian newspaper, there were no less than five Aussie backpackers in a year who plunged from southern Croatian cliffs into the waters below, some narrowly escaping with their lives. From slipping down ravines to misjudging cliff dives, the toll in injuries has been fierce. Is it unreasonable to assume that alcohol has played a role in these accidents? I think not.

Despite the speed with which Ms. Ruskovic lost her job, it appears that Aussies themselves agree with her. Sydney-based The Age conducted an online poll and found that 91% of respondents agreed that “the truth hurts–Australians behave appallingly”. Ouch.

Any visitor to Dubrovnik needs to be aware that binge-drinking is not–yet– a part of Croatian youth culture. Most Croatians have a Mediterranean attitude towards drinking: they appreciate wine with meals and homemade schnapps but getting blackout drunk is usually not their scene. And another thing to remember: the waters under Dubrovnik cliffs cover sharp rocks!

 

Walking Dubrovnik’s walls is easily one of the world’s most memorable experiences. In addition to admiring the Adriatic sea and the ripple of stone that encircles Dubrovnik, you will soon be able to visit a new museumin a recently excavated tower.

While working on a nearby playground in 2003, workers discovered “something strange” in Gornji ugao (Upper Tower). Excavations revealed remains of a 16th-century cannon foundry buried beneath the rubble. In the 16th century, Dubrovnik was at the height of her power but there were enemies! As a wealthy Adriatic city-state, it was essential to protect the riches secreted behind the walls with cannon fire if necessary.

After 8 years of excavation and renovation, visitors can follow the process of forging the cannons deep within the walls of this tower, built to protect the city from the potentially explosive process.

Currently the tower museum is open from 10am to 1pm for Dubrovnik residents to visit. In four weeks it will be closed for further renovations and reopened 1 May 2012 for all visitors. See more Dubrovnik Sights.

According to an article in today’s Croatian Times, Dubrovnik tourism authorities are working hard to convince the world that Dubrovnik is not just a summer destination, but also a great place to visit all year. Unlike many destinations along the Croatian coast, Dubrovnik does have regular (although less frequent) flights in the winter. British Airways flies from Gatwick and there are flights from Rome, Frankfurt and Paris as well. Next year, Croatia Airlines will also have regular winter flights to Dubrovnik. Blessed with a mild climate, Dubrovnik can be chilly but not bitter cold in the winter. OK, winter is not the season to explore Dubrovnik beaches, but it’s perfect weather for appreciating the outdoors without worrying about sunstroke!

I’ll go even further and say that it’s even better to visit Dubrovnik in winter than in summer. Here’s why:

1. Fewer tourists. This is a big one. As great as Dubrovnik is, the Old Town is small. Very small. You have a main street (Stradun), a few parallel streets and a few dozen side streets. That’s it. Now imagine a morning when cruise ships disgorge 5000 passengers, augmented by a thousand or so regular tourists. The streets are elbow-to-elbow, walking Dubrovnik’s  walls is a jostling match and there are lines for everything. This is no way to visit a World Heritage Site.

2. Cheaper. Except for the Christmas-New Year’s period when Croatians head to their Adriatic pearl, Dubrovnik hotel rates are up to 50% cheaper  in winter. Private accommodation is also cheaper plus you won’t get hit with minimum-stay requirements.

3. More authentic. Without the crush of tourists, you can appreciate Dubrovnik as a living, breathing town, not a museum. Many locals find it profitable to rent out their apartments and move out of town for the summer. In winter, they return to re-kindle old friendships. The cafes, bars restaurants are suddenly filled with locals.

4. Local Festivals. Participating in Christmas and New Year’s Eve in Dubrovnik can be a wonderfully festive way to experience local culture but even better are the local festivals that liven up the winter months. Festa 2012 is a big theatrical event at the end of January; St Blaise day in February is when all Dubrovnik turns out to honor their patron saint; Dubrovnik Carnival is a blowout that culminates in a Masked Ball; and the Oyster Festival in March ushers in the milder weather and the beginning of the new tourist season.

5. Cultural Life. Dubrovnik prides itself on a lively artistic and musical tradition. There are enough classical music lovers to support an orchestra, the Dubrovnik Symphony Orchestra which has a full season of concerts and recitals during the winter months. Art lovers will find plenty of openings and special exhibits to titillate their eyeballs while the mercury drops.

See more on visiting Dubrovnik.