Croatia Online - Where To Go

Where NOT to go in Croatia might be a better title for today's posting. And the answer is Dubrovnik. Yes it's a jewel of a town but the locals are getting sick and tired of the small alleyways of the old town being jammed to capacity by the the passing cruisieliners, and it's only June!

On Friday three cruiseliners arrived at the same time and poured out 12,000 passengers into Dubrovnik's lovely but tiny medieval core and the city's indignant inhabitants were urged by the local press to stay at home. There have been as many as 5 at the same time and one, exclusively gay, cruiseliner caused a bit of a shockwave last year amongst the conservative catholic dalmatian community when its passengers continued their cruise onshore. Apart from the berthing fees (which are sizeable and very dear to the heart of the port authority) the passengers spend very little onshore so it's easy to understand why Dubrovnik's citizens have had enough. They'd much rather look after the land based tourists who don't seem to baulk at the fact that Dubrovnik's prices, along with those in Hvar town, are at least 50% higher than elsewhere on a like for like basis.

It's a shame to miss Dubrovnik's city walls but is it worth it under these conditions? Likewise it's a shame to miss Hvar Town but similar questions apply. Other destinations that get crowded in the summer are Korčula Town, Trogir, Istria's main coastal towns and just about everywhere in August but there are still some great escapes. Those seeking tranquility should try the islands of Mljet, Lastovo, Ugljan and Dugo Otok. For complete respite, chartering a boat, with or without a skipper is the answer - just check out our Croatia Cruising Companion for the best out of the way places.

Today's photo is of one of the offending "vehicles" guarding the bridge over the River that leads to Dubrovnik's ACI Marina. Keep on heading past the river and the ship and you'll find the old town and Dubrovnik's port of Gruz.