We're Going to Croatia/Slovenia and More!

[artnbarb]

This year has been challenging. Art has had some health issues, and we both caught Covid when we were in Ireland at the end of April. Now, after Ireland in April, Prague and the Danube River cruise in June, we're heading to Croatia in mid September. We're taking a 2 week, small group tour beginning in Dubrovnik. This has long been on our list and in the end, this is the only way we'll get to see it, so I'm okay with the fact that it's a tour. (Small group is the key). We've been to Slovenia before, but I don't mind returning to such a beautiful country for a second visit. The tour ends in Venice, where we'll take the train to Umbria for 6 weeks. In early November we'll return via a TA cruise, which will bring us back to Tampa. I love all the ports during the first week, and I'm hoping to have plenty to ready for that 2nd long week at sea!

We're about 4 weeks out, and I'm starting to think about what we'll do during our extra days in Dubrovnik - I know we'll find plenty to see and do before our tour begins, and hopefully recover from jetlag. Keeping fingers crossed for everything - plane schedules, transportation strikes, and unexpected natural disasters!

 

[Pauline]

Sounds like a great trip! I was hoping you were doing your usual Umbria trip this year. Art must be doing better if you’re doing this big trip!

 

[artnbarb]

I'm not sure how much better he is, but he repeatedly refused to cancel any portion of the trip. He's been exercising every day, but with his neuropathy and back issues, we really don't know how far he'll progress. He'll do as much as he can, and in some situations he might be able to choose a less strenuous route, or an alternative. This might be our last fall in Umbria, so I'm trying to be hopeful (which is not my natural state).

 

[Kathy]

Hi Barb, re extra days in Dubrovnik... you may want to get out of Dubrovnik as it can be very crowded when cruise ships are there. We stayed a week in Dubrovnik several years ago. Our apartment was up above the old city and we did have a car for some day trips. But one day we took a bus tour (a big bus) to Montenegro, and it was very interesting. We would not have done a driving day trip to Montenegro on our own. And another day we did a similar bus day tour to Bosnia (Mostar). The Montenegro trip was better with several very interesting stops. Something you might consider....

Hope you enjoy your small group tour!

Kathy

 

[artnbarb]

Hi Barb, re extra days in Dubrovnik... you may want to get out of Dubrovnik as it can be very crowded when cruise ships are there. We stayed a week in Dubrovnik several years ago. Our apartment was up above the old city and we did have a car for some day trips. But one day we took a bus tour (a big bus) to Montenegro, and it was very interesting. We would not have done a driving day trip to Montenegro on our own. And another day we did a similar bus day tour to Bosnia (Mostar). The Montenegro trip was better with several very interesting stops. Something you might consider....

Hope you enjoy your small group tour!

Kathy

We'll spend a full day in Montenegro with our group, so that's covered - thanks for letting me know you enjoyed it!

 

[Shannon]

Bummer, I’ll be in Croatia next month but Dubrovnik is the final stop, at the end of the month. There is plenty to do in Dubrovnik, but maybe your tour is already covering it. You can take a boat to out to some islands, that is a nice day out of the Old Town. Get a Dubrovnik pass for the museums, they aren’t crowded.. you could do a wine tasting at D’Vino (if Anita is there, tell her you know me. or Sasha the Australian owner if he happens to be there.) and D’Vino also does day tours to the Pelješac peninsula, but they are long days with quite a few wineries.

Visit the memorial in the Sponza palace for sure.

Memorial Room of Dubrovnik Defenders

tzdubrovnik.hr

And walk the walls, though your tour probably has that covered. They are strenuous in parts, but you don’t have to do the whole thing. I go two hours before closing. And there is the famous Buza bar, but be sure to go to the one with no sign. It’s just a door in the walls. It has become pretty expensive, locals bring their own beer and sit on the rocks.

 

[artnbarb]

Thanks @Shannon . So sorry we'll miss you!