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.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Friday, January 9, 2009
Dubrovnik Riviera Excursions
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
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
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...
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...
Thursday, March 27, 2008
A room with a view
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».
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».
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Spring has arrived!
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».
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».
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Destination! Destination! Destination!
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
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
Sunday, June 10, 2007
Mares swimming in Montenegro!?
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.
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.
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