roadwarrier

Happy Birthday Sir!!
At least during these trying times you managed to squeeze in what looks like an amazing trip to celebrate, FRA excluded of course.

But, this, had me in stitches:

The photos of him are classic.

SFO777

Sadly, international travel is really difficult these days even for experienced travelers. Lots of prep work necessary to understand restrictions for where you are going, even where you are connecting if that's involved. Then the possible change in risk classification you mentioned. If the cost of the possibility of a quarantine on return if an issue, you are wise to forgo travel now.

Thank you zip10001. I'd imagine it was a lot more crowded for your visit.

Thanks cmd320. We'd really loved Dubrovnik, more so than Split. Glad we spend more time there and in islands.

Absolutely. A lot of it was rebuilt and/or repaired. But there are plenty of scar marks, mortar fire and bullet holes. Up on the hill overlooking Dubrovnik, from where Serbian forces shelled the city, some of the ruins look untouched.

Thanks you very much sonomawine. I appreciate it. It was great to travel long-haul and internationally again.

Thank you worldtraveller73. I'd definitely recommend traveling now if one feels comfortable. While we are totally comfortable about getting on a plane to anywhere, our biggest concern is not COVID but the risk of countries changing rules while we are there. Fortunately, Croatia seems to take a more pragmatic approach. If you don't have COVID, we'll let you in and let you spend your money. What a concept!

Thanks very much theshaun. You know what a special place Dubrovnik is. Unfortunately we did not make it to the Buza bar.

Thank for very much roadwarrier for your kind wishes. The Hello Kitty Hazmat guy was one for the ages.

krazykanuck

Well you laugh to stop from crying. That picture is rather funny though! Like, here have a bunch of plastic cups and a couple drinks!

Great TR. I will never understand how Germany, a fixture of precision, had FRA and MUC which are probably 2 of the worst designed airports I’ve ever had to go through.

csb001

Really interested in this report
We took two trips to Croatia ourselves this summer: 5 days to Dubrovnik in July and 6 days to Split and Hvar in August.
Curious where you will be going, but for now (already a bit Ahead by Reading on your own site) you are almost copying our Dubrovnik trip, from the food on the plane, to the restaurants and wineries you visited.
absolutely loved 360 restaurant

YYCCL3

I've gone ahead and booked it! Your trip report inspired me

Ain't that the truth!!

13901

Thanks for the trip, SFO777. I did pass through Dubrovnik twice on as many road trips, although on the first instance the Italian numberplate we had caused the car to be vandalised more than once.

Not wanting to steal SFO777's thunder but, thankfully, the conflict was pretty 'light' over on the Dalmatian coast. The scars of war are a lot more visible in the countryside and in Bosnia, both in terms of bullet-ridden holes and cemeteries filled with 1994/1995 tombs. Sarajevo in particular.

our_kid

Happy Belated Birthday SFO777 and great that we are treated to another TR. Fabulous photos and commentary as ever

greg5

As always, great trip report! I'm a big fan of that London blue gin. I've pretty much given up on traveling much for the foreseeable future, so thanks for sharing!

SFO777

Thanks krazykanuck. Ain't that the truth about FRA and MUC. How FRA could possibly have evolved to its current state of inefficiency and misery is hard to understand.

Thanks so much csb001. Interesting that we did many of the same things. Agree on 360 Restaurant. Croatia is a special place.

Wow, great to hear. Enjoy your LH First flights!

Thanks 13901. Interesting about the problems you had with an Italian plate. Other than on the mountain overlooking Dubrovnik and a few scars on some of the buildings inside the walled city, there really wasn't any obvious remaining damage to see,

Thank you very much our_kid. I appreciate your kind comments.

Thanks greg5. That was the first time I'd tried the London Blue Gin. It was really good.

SFO777

We had a chance to view those videos. Really interesting and moving. johnashw, thanks again for suggesting those links.

SFO777

Picturesque Cavtat


Another gorgeous morning in Dubrovnik.



With a simple yacht anchored in the bay. LOL.



We headed out with our guide Julia down the coast to Cavtat.













Cavtat is a charming, seaside city about 30 minutes south of Dubrovnik.





With a lovely walking path around the coast.





























Lots of shops, restaurants and bars. Eerily empty with few yachts, boats or tourists.







From Cavtat, we headed inland to Ljuta, where we visited a series of mills, which have been here for nearly 500 years.











A few minutes walk thru the woods and we were at lovely Restaurant Konavoski Dvori.





Lovely riverside setting.



And delicious seafood.





Then back to Dubrovnik.



And later that day, back to Kings Landing for dinner at Nautika.



A stunning location.





Lovely salad for madam.



While I had the Tagliatelle with creamy sauce and black istrian truffle flakes.



Oh yeah.





For our mains, we both enjoyed the veal with Dubrovnik malvasija sauce, potato gratin with truffle essence, pea mousse with mint and glazed carrots.







What a wonderful experience and another must for foodies visiting Dubrovnik.

SFO777

One last morning breakfast with a view at the Excelsior.





Another beautiful morning as we head north to the Peljesac Peninsula, wine region and Orebic.

























Our first stop is iconic Crotia winery, Milos.













Very nice.









Next stop is Grgic...





... smaller sister vineyard to Napa's Grgich Hills, founded years ago by Croat Milijenko "Mike" Grgich.













And back on the road north to Orebic, to one of the most amazing hotels we have ever visited.

theshaun

I must say the food looks amazing. I had been telling most people that the food from my trip was dreadful but made up for by the beautiful region. Regarding the wine, we had some nice regional reds, but my stand out memory about wine was a comment from our proud Croatian driver, "Croatia will be regarded as producing the world's best wines within 5 years."

7 years later....

spideysense

Thank you for your trip report and beautiful pictures. They honestly brought tears to my eyes. Having had to be locked down for 6 months is very difficult for our family as we love to travel the world.

Hope to travel to Dubrovnik in the near future!

SFO777

Thanks theshaun. The Dalmatian region of Croatia is stunning. But as for wines, while we tried many lovely Croatian wines, I think the "world's best wines" was a little optimistic.

Thank you so much spideysense for your kind comments. We were so happy to travel again, especially to such a beautiful place. Hope you'll be able to do the same soon.