Dubrovnik-Croatia-Montenegro Bosnia Shore Excursions

Montenegro Riviera

2009-01-11T03:59:00.000-08:00

MONTENEGRO RIVIERA

Montengro shore excursion takes you from Dubrovnik to the Montenegrin border via Konavle region, less known wine region of Dubrovnik Riviera, equally famous for its flat landscape ideal for cycling, riding and quadbiking. Once we pass the border which is some forty-five minutes away from Dubrovnik, we enter Herceg Novi Riviera. Montenegro's Herceg Novi Bay is the first one in the series of three bays. The landscape is a cacophony of modern day urban planning and the legacy of socialist era. However, once we reach the entrance to Kotor Bay, this is where your breath is taken away and more so as we approach Perast and Kotor. The latter is a legacy of bespoke merchant navy tradition and its churches and palaces have lived the day to tell the tales.
Upon leaving Kotor, we head towards the town of Budva through Tivat field. The town of Budva is bustling with visitors as it is one big cultural open stage in summer months. Its old town is ideal for spot of shopping. Apart from Kotor, the highlights of Montenegro Riviera trip is a visit to St Stefan, former fishing village, now luxury village hotel complex, famous for its red pebbles beach. This Montenegro travel so to speak is an ideal opportunity to combine culture with spot of swimming as we do so in St Stefan.

MONTENEGRO EXTENDED RIVIERA.
Montenegro Extended Riviera day trip goes a step further as it takes you to Montenegrin's cultural capital Cetinje, a residence of Petrovic Royal family. The peak of mountain Lovcen ( Jezerski vrh- 1657) is a resting place for Petar II Petrovic Njegos (1813 – 1851), founding father of Montenegro' modern day state. This imposing mausoleum is work of art of Croatia's best know sculptor Ivan Mestrovic. Please note that we cater for special requests to take you to Durmitor, Biogradska Gora, Rijeka Crnojevica and Skadar National Parks.

Dubrovnik Riviera Excursions

2009-01-09T02:11:00.000-08:00

DUBROVNIK PANORAMA EXCURSION ONE

To start with, this journey takes you to Dubrovnik Bridge, a unique opportunity to admire Lapad peninsula and a chance to get a clear picture of Dubrovnik's other residential areas. Afterwards, we go up the serpentine road to Srdj hill plateau, from where one can admire the best view of the Old Town and Elaphiti islands. This panorama shore excursion of Dubrovnik offers the best photo opportunity of the Old Town. Ideal choice as a snap Dubrovnikl port of call shore excursion.

DUBROVNIK PANORAMA EXCURSION TWO
This journey adds on to the previous one as it goes through Rijeka Dubrovacka Bay before it reaches Dubrovnik Bridge. It is special in its own way as it passes 15th century summer residences of Dubrovnik Republic noble families. It also passes by ACI Marina and River Ombla water source. Furthermore, once we visit Srdj hill plateau, we make our way to Cavtat via Zupa Dubrovacka villages. Cavtat is ancient Roman town of Epidaurus. These days it is a picturesque hamlet with a great promenade. It also boasts of the best fish restaurants in the Dubrovnik Riviera. This Dubrovnik Panorama Shore Excursion suits those seeking to venture a bit further in a quest to get to know local way of living and it also gives you an insight of Croatia's modern day history.

DUBROVNIK RIVIERA WINE TOUR
If you happen to enjoy a glass or two of red wine, then this is a tour for you. We take you to Peljesac Peninsula, Dubrovnik's wine region. Dingac and Plavac mali are two wine sorts specific for this part of Croatia and as such are autochtonous. Dingac can be only found at seven km coastal stretch on the south side of the peninsula. A visit to Captain's house, a fish restaurant in Mali Ston is a must for lovers of good food, especially those enjoying oysters. This is by far the best fish restaurant in Croatia.

KORCULA EXCURSION - DEEP INTO WATERS OF SOUTH CROATIA.

This Dubrovnik Riviera Shore Excursion is a continuation of the wine tour with a slight twist. It envisages visits to Veliki Ston, home to the second city walls in the world and it goes beyond to the hamlet of Orebic which is a ferry port for the famous island of Korcula. From here you can take a pedestrian ferry to Korcula town, a birthplace of Marco Polo.

DUBROVNIK – SPLIT EXCURSION, THE BEST IN BETWEEN.
Many people choose to take a ferry route to get to Split. However,this is in a true sense a scenic ride as it passes by Bacinska Lakes and takes you through Makarska Riviera hamlets with its reknown pebbles beaches and mountain Biokovo in the background. This is where a contrast between mountain Biokovo range and the coast comes to prominence. Split is a homage to Roman times with its famous Dioclecianus palace. If you are a true photo enthusiast then Dubrovnik-Split excursion is a mini adventure for you, offering a good perspective

Peljesac wine tour

2009-01-09T02:06:00.000-08:00

Every time, we set off on a Peljesac wine tour, I cannot but admire from the very start of our journey, the beauty of the coast, tranquility of the sea and picturesque offering of nearby villages which we pass somewhat in stride.
Two nearby villages of Zaton Veliki and Zaton Mali are not only beauty whiffing the smells of Mediterranean pine trees but also an oasis of peace. Nowhere in Dubrovnik Riviera is so shielded of massive scale visitors, bear in mind that people coming here throughout summer time are almost locals as they have been coming for the yanks. The locals count the summer days asking each other about the arrival of certain Hans, Dieters, Thomas’s, Julies and so on.
After Zaton, our route passes by the village of Orasac. I have often felt it as a place acting as a hub for the other six villages scattered around, the likes of Gromaca and Ljubac, this last is thought to be known for its amphitheatric valleys. Orasac was the refuge of the chief magistrate of Florence back in 1512, Piero Soderini.
The next village of Trsteno is the home of the two oldest oriental plane trees, the village is a residence of famous Gucetic-Gozze family who set up the first Arboretum in 1492, to accommodate botanical specimen brought back by merchant seamen at the height of Dubrovnik Republic might. The park around the residence is a legacy of Gothic Renaissance and 19th century neoromantic period. The facts speak for themselves but words are not enough to capture that moment, precisely the one we are seeking on any given shore excursion. To be there, „to buy the T-shirt“ so to speak is the only way to get the feel of the place. You may well say, nothing new in this statement but I cannot underline it enough that this is the case.

And precisely this theory comes to life passing the village of Slano. I have often recalled the words of a „New Russian“ who was filthy loaded although he lacked in the department of personal manners. However, his hidden sincerity came to the surface when he even admitted to the fact that he wished he could by the house there, not that he did not have the money but he wondered who would be a fool enough to sell their own heritage as it is priceless. Was that the case of his own dacha, I would not be able to comment but moving on, on this literary journey I come to Ston.
People often think that you lie when you guide them through Peljesac wine tour and when you mention the fact that Ston has the second biggest walls after the Chinese ones. A few understand the legacy of Ottoman Empire, the fact that the „Turks“ as we call them. Rule this part of the world for 500 years. Often people express the signs of confusion stating that the Turkey is so far away so how come they were present here. And when we explain that the salt manufactured then in the 15th century is still manufactured now, people literary take this with a pinch of salt. At the end they are impressed what they see and they hurl towards the fortress, part of the city walls, to capture that moment on the latest digital gizmo.
To be continued...

A room with a view

2008-03-27T10:12:00.000-07:00

Dubrovnik is becoming 5 star hotel paradise and this has become surprisingly so in a very short period of time. Not long ago, the site of a holiday home in Lapad area owned by the communist area Bosnian company was transformed from beauty to beast. This is a setting now for hotel More, a luxurious treat for those searching that sea view to kill for. This stretch of Lapad Peninsula offers some of the most luxurious apartments and hotels. The promenade that is tick next to the sea and passes by hotel More, leads you to villa Elita, in my opinion one of the most beautiful villas in Lapad, as it airs a certain element of panache, largely thanks to its location. It has been redecorated and is now in the hands of Importanne group together with other three of their hotels part of a luxury resort that was once Hotel Neptun. Villa Elita does not come cheap and it is really suited for those with large deep pockets.
Highly on my list of hotels for mere mortals, is Libertas Rixos, now fully re-built after it has been heavily destroyed during the war. The retro theme prevails together with the element of open space and this is a perfect combination for a hotel that offers a great sea view and for me has a great sentimental value as it was my favorite beach before the war.
Speaking of beaches, there are very few natural ones in Dubrovnik town so people got used to the rocky ones and they quite like them.
Personally I am not so keen on Bellevue boutique hotel. It does have less imposing view than Rixos as it is situated more inwards and cannot compensate for the lack of sunny rays during the peak season summer period as the sun sets earlier than in the case of Rixos.
It has to be said if you fancy to have a rather grande view of the Old Town and sea then Ploce area of Dubrovnik is your best bet. This is where Villa Dubrovnik, hotel Agentina and Excelsior are situated and choosing one of them you cannot go a miss.

Squeezed between Villa Dubrovnik and hotel Argentina is Villa Scheherazade, a tribute to a beautiful belly dancer by a Czech businessman who apparently never met the beauty queen. Love does wonders and all you need is « a room with a view».

Spring has arrived!

2008-03-25T07:36:00.000-07:00

I will start writing this post in an unusual Dear John style.

Having been busy evaluating all good and bad that has happened on the business front and having heard the birds singing, I became inspired to sharpen my typing skills and start, you guessed it right: typing about paradise on earth, Dubrovnik.
There is an old adage in Croatia that one swallow does not announce the arrival of the spring and that is quite so. This Easter the weather has been wet and windy but in the next few days the spring will finally start knocking on our doors that is according to national television weathermen's forecasts. And if you read carefully what has been written so far, it is time now to shift your glance at the article below, the one where I suggested cruisers' visitors to go on on a shore excursion, visitng Srdj Hill and capturing the momentum of the Old Town's view opening in front of you. It is also easier to put Dubrovnik's history into the perspective and understand better the might of its "golden" merchant navy status in the 15th century. Equally it is the way to understand its demise under the pressure from the Napoleon's army.

And yes, if you have time and 10 hours is plenty of it, visit Cavtat, that is one of Dubrovnik Riviera's most popular extended shore excursions, after all if it had not been for its inhabitants, Dubrovnik would never see the daylight. On this occasion, if you are not fish lover as far as your gastronomic experience is concerned, then there is a restaurant called Konavoski dvori and serves traditional Konavle region food, in a spot off by a local brook and a windmill. As for the wine menu, it is a local bottle that is the order of the day. Konavle is together with Peljesac the second biggest wine region in Dubrovnik County.
To round up your visit, there is an ethno house in one of the villages where one can get to know local costumes worn in the past.

The recipe is rich so enjoy it «nice and slow».

Destination! Destination! Destination!

2007-06-20T11:23:00.000-07:00

In this day and age, the globetrotting is no trotting and the old adage: «The Word is my Oyster» gets a new dimension. Even the rich are happy to share the global travel hotspots with mere mortals ( pun intended ). Apparently Bill Gates' favorite café is situated in a hole of Dubrovnik Old Town city walls. A few tables and chairs scattered around but a view to die for. Just a reminder peeps that Dubrovnik is one of the last preserved jewels of architecture be it renaissance or baroque your soul is searching for. To stroll down its streets is a step back to history and to sip a coffee in one of the side cafés is a cadre from a movie where you feel the time has stopped for a while, the very same movie where you also feel charged up, appreciating the stillness of the moment.
Enough of me blabbing on:
Senior travel cruisers, a few tips when you hit Dubrovnik:
City Wall Tour is a must, make sure that you have plenty of water with you Alternatively, book a panoramic shore excursion that will take you to Srdj Hill. Make sure that your driver is fluent in English as anything else simply would not do. Meander the streets of the Old Town, you will get to know a real taste of Mediterranean living. As for the latter, pay a visit to a restaurant, preferably the fish one.
Last but not the least; try to take a part of Dubrovnik with you, because it is for certain that you will come back at some point.

Link

Mares swimming in Montenegro!?

2007-06-10T11:15:00.000-07:00

There is something romantic in hearing a legend. Although they appear to be rather silly in one way, in the other, they acted as a tool for encouraging masses, especially at times of conflicts.

At the entrance to Montenegro's Herceg Novi Bay there is a spot called «Mare».
The story goes that during Turkish or shall I say Ottoman rule, a beautiful woman was snatched at the bazaars. Her fiancé put up the struggle but was executed mercilessly. The girl came back to her village some nine months after the event, heavily pregnant. The villagers blamed her for the loss of her fiancé and like an evolving Greek tragedy, she died at the birth of a baby boy. He, for his part, hated the Turks and was often seen looting with his gang the entourages of women belonging to Turkish rulers. He would often transport looted goods from one end of the bay entrance to the other. He taught his mares to swim and to come to a designated spot when hearing him whistling. Eventually, he was caught and hang and the villagers were saying that mares kept coming to that spot but to no avail.

When In Rome...

2007-06-08T04:11:00.000-07:00

I have to express a slight dosage of disappointment, having recently read a comment, posted by a tourist whose exploration of Dubrovnik was exhausted after a mere day. Apparently, he «got fed up» with a cascade of various shadows of «red» that is including crimson and terracotta, which are donning the roofs of the Old Town's houses.

Dubrovnik is a destination for a culture-vulture meets nature type of a person. Moreover, a lot of modern day values are continuation of the past events' lessons that some of us have even learnt in recent times. My point, well Dubrovnik was the first town in Europe which had a pharmacy and during the reign of Dubrovnik Republic, it was amongst the first world stage states to have recognized the American Independence.

It is that adage «Forget your own private matters and turn to the State affairs» which the Town's ruling class was reminded each time they were entering the so called «boardroom» of power sharing.

By now, you are probably asking, what is this chap on about? Well, I do support the idea that sport on holiday is a good thing as long as you are organized in advance ( the chap you was not impressed by shades of red on the Old Town's was saved by waterspouts ) but I would stress that old chestnut of «When you are in Rome, behave like Romans do».
It helps a lot....

Srdj Hill

2007-05-05T01:14:00.000-07:00

There is something about Srdj Hill, which is overlooking Dubrovnik, somewhat it is nature's answer to a sacred hand of St Blaise, a saint protector of Dubrovnik. The panoramic view ahead acts as an antidote to an eye which is filled with the overwhelming view of the Old Town and the sea horizon. A large number of tourists go here to enjoy Panorama of Dubrovnik and I believe some are acquainted with the fact that this is a shrine in itself as a large number of freedom fighters in Croatia Independence War, gave their lives so that one day visitors can feel that air of freedom.
Once upon the time and long ago, Srdj Hill was dense with oak trees so it does not come as a surprise that this sacred wood was a target of numerous attacks by Venetians, who were seeking any opportunity to expand their own merchant navy fleet by cutting down oak trees, looting them and shipping them back to Venice.
However, very few people know about another peak, Velji Do, which offers even more imposing view, this time of Elaphiti Islands. This is a gem photo opportunity to capture this archipelago which was named after a Greek word ELAPHOS. Apparently, viewed from the bird's eye perspective they resemble a deer, hence a Greek world.
You learn something new every day, so they say!

Lapad Peninsula - Dubrovnik

2007-05-04T10:56:00.000-07:00

I have been visiting Thorn Tree chat forum for a while now and I try to take part as much as possible as I value Lonely Planet's country guides. Dubrovnik is one of the most sought after destinations in Croatia and people always ask about accommodation. I have a personal viewpoint on the matter as I believe that in order to enjoy Dubrovnik experience; one has to think carefully about where they decide to stay. It goes without saying that I am a great believer of value for money bargains but to start with I stop short of renting a bed in a private house. The reason is simple, I refuse to be touted at port or bus terminal with a possibility of a wobbly bed in the Old Town, where I might be at health hazard. There are so many villas and apartments to choose from that it simply does not make sense to risk it.
Lapad Peninsula is an oasis of peace and quiet and the bus no: 6 takes you to Pile Gate. It has a shopping centre, lots of restaurants, local food produce stalls and it is not far away from nearby Copacabana beach, not to be confused with Brazilian one.
All in all, cozy little part of Dubrovnik, worth staying in.

Not all is fair in ...

2007-05-04T06:52:00.000-07:00

I have recently come across a rather negative practice. I spoke to a very good friend of mine who lives abroad and he told me a story about a friend of his who happened to be on a visit to Dubrovnik. The gentleman was a banker for a well known City of London corporation. His hectic style of living meant that his secretary forgot to book a cab for Dubrovnik trip. The banker was going to Dubrovnik having previously arrived to London from a long haul business trip. Once he landed at Dubrovnik Airport he jumped into a cab and rounded his fare to hotel Excelsior to HRK 200. He is accustomed to different currencies as he works on the money exchange. He told a friend of mine that he fell in love with the Old Town. As he is an eager «culture-vulture» beaver, he spent a day in Mostar as he has been told that the town has architectural remains from the Ottoman period.
He was leaving Dubrovnik full of impressions until he ordered a cab from a reception desk to take him back to the airport. Everything was running smooth until he was asked to pay HRK 300. He paid for his fare without batting an eyelid, cool and composed. However, he complained to a friend of mine saying that this malpractice ruins the beauty of Dubrovnik and it is not a way forward to European integration!

Dubrovnik Vignette

2007-04-21T23:34:00.000-07:00

There are times when one feels privileged to have been born and bred Dubrovnik «folk». Although I have used this Americanism carefully and for the all right reasons. Back in the golden age of Dubrovnik Republic, during the renaissance boom of merchant navy prosperity, the town was ruled by influential families who for there part have been passing the echelons of power from generation to generation.
Their legacy is the opium for our eyes as such is the beauty of Dubrovnik Old Town. But their ability to preserve their hereditary status, by the odds of the nature, remained all but in the name. Yet, I bet there are very few who spot their summer residence palaces in the small villages of Cajkovici and Sustjepan, us forgetting that at the time and place, Dubrovnik Old Town was protected by city walls and wooden moats were guarding Pile and Ploce gates. Everything outside this domain was considered as countryside. I spotted two virtually abandoned summer palaces, one in the grave need of restoration and with the latest property and tourism boom I sincerely hope that some rich soul would recognize their historical significance and continue in the footsteps of the noble tradition.

www.dreampropertycroatia.com

Travel 74 - Dubrovnik - Croatia: Peljesac Region Wines:

2007-04-15T09:40:00.000-07:00

Travel 74 - Dubrovnik - Croatia: Peljesac Region Wines:

Peljesac Region Wines:

2007-04-15T09:00:00.000-07:00

I must confess I am not a wine buff, not even one in making but my last visit to Croatia's Peljesac peninsula has made a surprising impact on my well being. To begin with, I was taken back by the beauty of nature and I could not believe sights of thick pine woods we encountered by the road, nor could I stop admiring Ston, a hamlet with a European prototype of a Chinese wall. This historical monument was enacted to ward off the attempts of numerous Turkish invasions during 15th and 16th century to get hold of Ston's sea salt processing plant.
Wine growing was the only way out from poverty trap for Peljesac farmers because nothing more was profitable to cultivate apart from oysters and mussles in the Bay of Ston. Economic migration within peninsula was out question as each village was guarding its habitants for the sake of security and even preservation of its own identity.
Our visit to Matusko winery was a pleasant event. Decorated in local stone, it was giving a slightly modern ambience but on close inspection, dust gathered on bottles was for real.
I learnt that «plavac» - grape sort, was a «father» to Zinfandel and Grgic family, who emigrated to the US between the WW1 and WW2, introduced this sort to the Nappa Valley region.
As far as I could make it Postup, Posip and Dingac are all from the «plavac family».Their esquisity and richness in tannins is a result of the constant exposure to sun and the ground whose mixture is a balance of rich and poor soil.
Wine tour is an event worth visiting if for nothing but the landscape which has blessed the fishermen and made farmers work harder to achieve the richness of local wine.

Cruising...Everyone on board!

2007-04-14T07:47:00.000-07:00

We, at Travel 74, have been thinking a great deal about cruiseliners visiting Dubrovnik en route to Greece, as part of the Eastern Mediterranean leg of their journey. We wondered why the vast majority of these people opt for a bus shore excursions which all have the same format; bused them in the Old Town, bused them out of it.
Take them en masse to a typical regional village and treat them to a performance of a local, traditional dance.
No objections whatsoever, but instead of curiosity, it looks to me sometimes, that individuality has killed the cat.
There is so much to encounter, both in terms of local culture and history, and doing it, at your own pace, must be a bonus.
However, we compared our own travel experiences abroad and came to the conclusion that element of unknown always prevailed when making a decision to take a local tour.
Here are some instructions to shore excursions that will leave a lasting impression.
When in Dubrovnik and wanting to explore local spots with a good panorama view, always insist on your driver's English fluency.
Private tours in the Port of Dubrovnik are value for money be it you pay EUROS 50 per hour and per car and yes, please pay attention to PER CAR bit. After all, you are in charge of your itinerary and your holiday.
In any case, enjoy the most beautiful town in the world and the old chestnut of a saying: There is only one Dubrovnik.

Montenegro

2007-04-07T02:23:00.000-07:00

Our trip to northern Montenegro was a true adventure for it was snowy at times and we were excited as we do not get snow in Dubrovnik. The scenery on the way to Niksic was breathtaking and one really ought to check it in person as any attempt to describe it words would be pointless. The town of Niksic was depressing and we were glad to have zoomed through it, continuing our journey to Ostrog monastery. The drive that led up to it was the most exciting and at times daunting but it was well worth it. This jewel of a monastery, chiselled in the rocks is a sight that makes you pause and think about human persistence to defend life as the monastery was the legacy of St Vasilije Ostroski, a monk who resisted Turkish rule some 600 years ago. His tomb is visited by many denominations, Christians and Muslims alike who search solace of a prayer for their beloved ones.
Leaving Ostrog we headed for Rijeka Crnojevica. The motorway route, if you can call it one, was ridden with tomb stone fashion reminders of people who died in car accidents. Driving in Montenegro is not for the light hearted, Montenegrins are reckless drivers.
Once we have found the country lane route towards Rijeka Crnojevica we were relieved. Meandering lane was leading us through rocky countryside accompanied by ravines. In one word, truly amazing. As for Skadar Lake and lake estuaries, any attempt to put it in words is futile.
As they say: Seeing is believing!

www.visit-montenegro.com

A pilgrimage to Medjugorje.

2007-03-26T08:50:00.001-07:00

One of our friends told us that he spent a week end in Kravice. Apparently, a beauty spot not many people have heard of. Indeed, he was right as we were told about it by the word of the mouth. We wanted to go to Kravice just to see what it looked like in early spring and while we were heading in that direction we decided to visit Medjugorje. Our ride was a pleasant one, the roads were almost empty, I guess the people stayed in the town and it had something to do with the fact that it was Sunday, a rather holly day in Croatia. Those who planned to go in the countryside have done so on Friday and Saturday.

We visited Medjugorje first, and it was buzzing with people who have come from all over the world to pay homage to the Virgin Mary., as far as Brazil and Philippines. I have to say that all members of our team felt the spiritual harmony despite the fact that some of them are atheists.

We decided to have a picnic lunch, spreading our blankets on one Kravice's meadows. As always we were touched by unprecedented beauty of the place which has all resemblance of Plitvice park but on the smaller scale.

Happy and spiritually enlightened we were of our way to our beloved Dubrovnik.
Medjugorje and Kravice were indeed shore excursions to remember!

From Mostar with Love...

2007-03-26T08:09:00.000-07:00

We set off on expedition read business trip to meet up with some of our partners.The whole journey happened to be more challenging that the conquest of Mont Everest. All in all it was well worthed. Our first stop was a village of Trsteno. Many have heard of his Arboretum and its status as a summer residence of counts which had been ruling Dubrovnik Republic in the golden age of renaissance. However, what really made an impression on us was the actual village pier and the whole descend to it. This is really a typical example of the fact that Croatia is the last quiet corner of the Mediterranean where local tradition together with beauty spots remain untarnished.

Inspired , and re-fuelled in spiritual sense we continued our journey towards Hutovo Blato, an oasis of nature, a home to various birds, to attend a meeting with the park's management. Little did we know that the route which we took was a rather adventurous, having realized in the middle of our drive that this is the longer way to our destination. Never mind, was our way of consoling ourselves. The more we drove, the more we realized that this would be a right little adventure for those who want to escape the urban jungle of New York and London., as the scenery of rocky hills was simply stunning.

Hutovo Blato rose to its expectation and proved to be a hidden paradise for nature and bird lovers. Our host Zeljka welcomed us in a true spirit of local hospitality. The tour we did was slightly short but captivating. We felt like Robinson Crusoes. Saying «good bye» to Zeljka but for a long, we continued in a direction of Pocitelj.

Every time I come to Pocitelj, I feel that excitement airing of the oriental which sets you back in the Turkish rule times and one ponders what was it like to live in that period.
We decided to continue in the direction of Mostar and to have a coffee and rahatluk in the old quarter .It would be crime to visit Mostar without paying homage to the Old Bridge. Despite the fact that it is new as it has been destroyed in the recent war, our lips automatically refer to it as the Old Bridge. A moment of sentiment and nostalgia I would suggest or else what?
The locals are in their element, sipping Turkish coffee and basking in the sun. As for us we were gathering our impressions through the lenses of our latest digital cameras and slightly tired on our way to Dubrovnik.

All in all, a rather good day!

From St Patrick to St Stefan

2007-03-20T07:34:00.000-07:00

We, here at Travel 74, have decided to start writing an e-blog. Nothing revolutionary, one would comment, yet an air of excitement was filling our office space and the starting date of our writing adventure was March, 17 – St Patrick's Day. We were invited to a party which was held, yes you are guessing rightly, in an Irish pub. Our friend and client Kieran could not hide his disappointment when we informed him that we had previously scheduled meeting in Montenegro which we could not cancel. We invited Kieran with us but he could not be lured away from a pint of Guinness and the fellow members of Irish community in Dubrovnik.

Journey through Montenegro is always an adventure.Driving a car requires a heavy dose of alertness, the road alongside Riviera is hardly a motorway, more of a country lane. Entering Boka Bay one truly becomes taken by the stunning scenery of Boka Bay. The view of the surrounding mountains makes you feel powerful and it never ceases to amaze you how tall they really are, acting like guardian angels to the quiet waters of the bay.

We stopped at Morinj to have a lunch and what a treat it was. We ate «njeguski steak», and the atmosphere of the al fresco dining was one to remember as this hidden restaurant is an oasis of ducks, peacocks and goes without saying, traditional Montenegrin cuisine is tasty and a real value for money.

The first meeting we had was in Kotor and our business partners always tease us that Kotor is Dubrovnik in small with more character as the streets are indeed more narrow than in Dubrovnik hence cosier to an eye.After finishing our first meeting, we had to leave for Sv. Stefan and the more we go there the more we appreciate this gem of a luxury resort.
Spurred by our adventurous spirits we could not resist to pay an homage to Cetinje.We forgot that we never visited Cetinje in March and boy did we have fun coming down the meandering,narrow road. The fog was setting in and the whole descend to the coast resembled a scene from a horror movie. However, we all agreed that such experience is a one to remember and unique, miles away from the concrete jungle of European cities.

Full of impressions, tired we made our way to Dubrovnik and the moment we saw the Old Town from the distance, our hearts started beating faster.The most beautiful town in the world!!!