Dubrovnik is a beautiful, majestic city.  They call it the ‘pearl of the Adriatic’ (although I’m not sure who ‘they’ are.  Maybe the same ‘they’ who refer to nearby Split as ‘Mediterranean flower’)

The walled city itself is quite small, and you can walk through it in no time, but it can be a bit confusing; many of the streets look the same and it takes a while to get your bearings.  Also there are a lot of steps and it can be quite a challenge in the heat.  Good for burning off calories and making space for the delicious ice cream though.  (My recommended flavour: strawberry cheesecake).

My favourite thing on my first day in Dubrovnik (apart from the strawberry ice cream) was just wandering around without any plan and discovering little hidden corners.  However I also enjoyed a walk on the city wall (cost 100HRK).

Not exactly the Great Wall of China, but getting a bit crowded up here all the same

I’ve noticed an increasing trend amongst ‘backpackers’ now to not actually bring a backpack and instead have a little suitcase on wheels.  I’m a traditionalist and I stick with the backpack, although even I have been tempted to change (particularly when it’s hot and I have a month’s worth of clothes and shampoos on my back and the straps are cutting into the sunburn on my shoulders).

Do you fancy trying to lug a suitcase up here?

I was certainly grateful I had opted for a backpack when I got here though; the walled city, with its narrow cobbled streets and  countless steps, is not the place for the wheelie bag, .  Remember that you are going to have to walk from the city gate to your apartment, and it may well be up a narrow street with a lot of steps, so make sure you pack accordingly.