Walled city of Dubrovnik

Our apartment is within the old city walls, affording easy access to the narrow walkways filled with restaurant tables. This city is built like a bowl, with the fortification walls on top with several tiers of "streets" (no cars) ringing the city, connected by stone steps. Even the tiered streets have some steps from time to time.

By going down over 200 steps from the wall, you reach the main plazas, filled with visitors.

We spent the morning walking the 2.5K-long wall (1.5 miles), getting some amazing views. The maritime museum is up there too, where we learned that Dubrovnik's merchant shipbuilding and trading port rivaled that of Venice.

The clock tower has two bronze figures inside, "zelenci" (green twins) that strike the bell on the hour and at various times between.

Despite the humidity and the crowds, we really enjoyed exploring this medieval city and can see why it has long been considered the Pearl of the Adriatic.Read more