Croatia – Zagreb and Dubrovnik –
I had around 8 hours in Zagreb before catching the night bus to Dubrovnik. First things first I checked out the main church- St Marks church which was built in the 13th century and looks more like a farmhouse with a mosaic roof and steeple rather than the grand gothic churches I had seen before.
Afterwards I wandered around the alleys and spent a long time at an open air farmers market eating grapes and talking to the farmers. In the evening I spent time walking around the Christmas market, the air thick with the smell of mulled wine.
10 hours on the night bus I arrived to Dubrovnik and it was love at first sight. The ocean sparkling in the early morning light, the stone of the old city which is you take out the red roofs and ocean looked similar to Jerusalem and the alleyways with houses going up the side of a high.
I spent the day sitting on a pier overlooking the oceans with medieval stone towers to my left and right and a good book in my hands. It was absolutely wonderful.
Day 2 was spent walking the old city walls which go completely around the old city and offer unparalleled views of the ocean, site and surrounding landscape. I thought I was interesting that the walls back into private homes so on the tourist attraction you can look into people’s gardens and see their laundry and home they live. Afterwards I again sat by the ocean, reading my book and watching the sun sink behind the stone walls.
In the evening I walked through the Christmas market surrounded by songs and families.
I liked that I went in winter as there were not too many tourists and it felt very natural – like kids playing soccer in the old town square, dogs being walked, stray cats (which were everywhere) following the people around who brought them food or just sleeping on statues or in flower pots. My favorite was when I was reading an old man was fishing and giving the small fish to two stray cats who obediently waited – it seemed so quaint!
Tips:
– Go to Dubrovnik – gorgeous, relaxing and picture perfect!
– Be prepared to relax!
– Flying out of Zagreb may be cheaper so the night bus is a good option!
Follow