Holydays? Somewhere by the sea? Holydays for the whole family? This year choose Dubrovnik. George Bernard Shaw called it »paradise on earth«.

Dubrovnik is one of the most famous tourist destinations in the Croatian Mediterranean that rightly bears the name the pearl of the Adriatic. It is a Croatian costal town with a long and varied history. Without the famous city wall there is no Dubrovnik. The city is located in the extreme south of the Croatian coast. With its breath-taking natural beauty, mild climate, rich historical heritage and tourist attractions for everyone, for every family, it is one of the most popular, often visited, internationally known destinations. It is difficult to describe the city, you simply have to visit it and enjoy its charms. You can climb the city wall, gaze at the sea into the distance, take a walk through the labyrinth of alleys, stop at the historical sights, take a walk along Stradun, and simply enjoy the beat of the city. Why not spend this year’s family vacation by exploring the beauty of this city?
The history of Dubrovnik dates back to ancient times, it is full of interesting adventures, legends, exchanges of periods of prosperity, independence, new leaders, foreign hegemony. Always changing historical circumstances helped to shape the mentality, culture as well as the care for the preservation of the city’s architecture.

The city is named after the widespread tree of that area – oak (dubrava means oak forest). The Slavs that settled in this area called it that way and built a settlement at the foot of the Srđ hill. In the old city center, which is protected as Unesco world cultural heritage, gothic, renaissance and baroque architecture is interwoven which has repeatedly been endangered throughout history. In 1667, the city was severely damaged by an earthquake, and a thorough reconstruction was needed after the military attack of the YPA and the Montenegrin paramilitary units in 1991 during the independence war. More than half of the buildings were destroyed and there were also fatalities. At the entrances of the city you are reminded of that by large boards that in detail explain all the damage that the city suffered at that time.

The old town of Dubrovnik is surrounded by an almost 2 km long, 4 to 6 meters wide and 25 meters high wall. The north side of the wall is protected by the tower Minceta, the entrance to the port by the fortress St John, on the east side is the fortress Revelin, and the west entrance of the city is protected by the Pil gate. The view from the wall on the city, the nearby islands and the blue of the sea is fantastic.

The main street and promenade is Stradun, famous for its white stones. Numerous events take place here, artists present themselves, and craftsman display life as it used to be. In the vicinity you can see the large Onofrio’s fountain that tourists in the greatest heat prefer the most because it offers refreshment. Here you can also find the Orlando tower (the figure of a soldier in armor), the symbol of independence and freedom, and the Sponza palace with the archive, in front of it begin the Dubrovnik summer games every year. Be sure to visit the Duke’s palace – a cultural and historical museum that used to be the seat of the government of the republic of Dubrovnik and the home of the prince, it is also an appropriate ambience for arranging of concerts. There are also fortresses Bokar and Lovrijenac, which served to defend the city.

Coming up let’s take a look at the Dubrovnik cathedral with the treasury, the church of St Blaise (St Vlaho), who is the patron of the city (the feast of St Blaise is in February), Franciscan monastery with the oldest pharmacy in Europe, synagogue, ethnographic museum, marine museum and aquarium. Finally, the view stops at the city bell tower and the so called »greens«, bronze twins with a green colored patina who hit the bell.
After visiting the sights you can enjoy refreshments in the crystal clear blue sea at one of the many beautiful beaches in the area. You can choose between sandy, rocky and pebbly beaches with many possibilities for rest and recreation for the whole family. Try diving and get to know the underwater world, numerous diving centers offer their services and equipment; you can also enjoy water sports. Kayaking trips to the nearby island Lokrum, to the cave, are interesting and you can see Dubrovnik from the sea side. Climb the hill Srđ by foot or with a funicular, the view of the city and the islands is fantastic. In the park Prevlaka you can learn free climbing, in Konavle you can go on a safari adventure with a four-wheeler, try riding, and there is no need to lose words over cycling.

The city became even more famous and visited because the filming of the television series Game of Thrones.
Of course Dubrovnik does not disappoint you even at night. Numerous concerts, night clubs, cocktail bars, dance venues are taking turns with many restaurants with offers for everyone. It is great to try some of Dubrovnik’s specialties and excellent local wine.
We recommend you to visit one of the beautiful Elafiti islands that stretch along the coast, fishing villages, natural wonders of the island Mljet, visit Cavtat, Mline, Zaton, Molunat, in short, enjoy this part of the beautiful Croatian coast.

You can come to Dubrovnik with regular air connections, a car and bus or with a boat. It has two ports where even the biggest cruisers can land.
With a high quality hotel offer, a wide range of private apartments, rooms and houses you can also choose excellent camping sites. In the old city center you can also choose between hostels and modernly decorated antique palaces. Contemporarily equipped hotels with private beaches will surely impress you.
It is not important how you will get there, where you will stay, we are sure that you and your family will be impressed by this Croatian tourist pearl.

Splendid Beach

There are many beautiful, popular and highly visited beaches in Lapad bay and Splendid beach is one of them. It is located directly in front of the Splendid hotel so you will have no problems with parking, there is enough space for more than 100 vehicles. A beautiful white pebble beach also has a rocky part; in-between are concrete parts that allow you to easily spread a deckchair. There is some natural shade and for payment you can get deckchairs and parasols. Of course, the beautiful blue is inviting you to swim, snorkel, to do various water sports, and the pier allows you to test your jumping capabilities, and you can also try to catch some fish. Toilets, showers and changing cabins are part of the equipment on this beautiful beach where you will enjoy your family vacation. The beach is 5 km away from the old city center which can be easily accessed because every 15 minutes a bus leaves from the hotel and so you don’t have to worry about parking.

Dubrovnik airport is 25 kilometers away. When you need a refreshment, head to the nearby beach bar or hotel, where you can experience traditional Dalmatian cuisine in a restaurant and maybe a cocktail for you? Hotel Splendid is located in a beautiful park so you can take a walk, perhaps with the youngest family members. Lapad is actually a forest peninsula and a suburb of Dubrovnik. Here you have many hotels, villas, holiday houses, apartment houses, accommodation for every taste. There are many beautiful beaches, sports fields and other tourist infrastructures nearby.

On the other side of the bay is a quiet and pleasant promenade along the sea, embraced by nature that offers a great view and is excellent for romance. Or you can just go for a walk to the shops, restaurants and cafés along the promenade of the Lapad bay. Those who want more can take a walk thorough a natural park, the forest Velika nad Mala Petka. This is the last and only reserve of the Dubrovnik area, a green oasis of a pine forest with some rare flowers and other Mediterranean vegetation. Splendid beach is a great choice for travelers, the whole family, and everybody who enjoys beaches and sea shores.

Check out more informations here: http://www.beachrex.com/en/croatia/dalmatia/dubrovnik-beaches/beach-splendid

Saint Jacob beach

This is one of the most attractive beaches in the Dubrovnik area and is only a kilometer away from the city center. It is located in a small bay just below the church of St Jacob, after which it got its name. Parking is sufficient for about 50 cars, you can also access it by foot, bike, but the access is not suitable for elderly or disabled persons, as it takes 70 steps to get to the beach. During the season there is also an organized boat trip from the city. The beach is sandy, pebbly, with a few bigger cliffs with a spectacular view of the old city center and the island Lokum.

The beach is suitable for those who want an active vacation: rent a kayak, discover the coast, treat yourself with other water sports, and join beach volleyball players. Even water scooter lovers can enjoy here, as the water quickly deepens some ten meters from the coast and there are not as many bathers in the water. If you just want to relax, there are deckchairs, parasols and wonderful views. You can find refreshment in a nearby café bar with a rich selection of food and beverages. This beach is only a 20 minute walk away from the city life and is also popular with the locals, as it is something special because of its ambience. Of course, there are also toilets and showers on the beach. The water is extremely clean and clear, so you can enjoy swimming, snorkeling, jumping into the water, maybe you can try to catch your dinner. You can find accommodation in the nearby hotel Belvedere, in many villas, apartment houses, the choice is great. Of course, it is even bigger in the city that is a kilometer away, where there are also hostels. Otherwise, there is always something happening on this beach, if nothing else, the water here is deep so every day a cruiser anchors here. The look at this is really something special.

Check out more informations here: http://www.beachrex.com/en/croatia/dalmatia/dubrovnik-beaches/beach-sveti-jakov

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