The People of Dubrovnik: The French Tourist I’d been in Dubrovnik for less than 2 hours when I arrived at the Pile Gate – the main entrance to Old Town. In the plaza was what had been missing from my trip for a week – the French. I’ve learned from traveling to small and large cities, that French tourists are a secret seal of approval to a city’s beauty. The people of this country don’t waste vacation time with hit or miss villages and destinations. It was my first sign that Dubrovnik was more than a pass through stop. Also in the plaza was the photo opp view of the...

People of Dubrovnik: Kresimir Cupic Dubrovnik and Venice have a long-time rivalry. In the past it was because Venice kept trying to invade Dubrovnik. Today it’s the battle for “most beautiful city on the Adriatic.” Last year I visited Venice on a perfect spring day. The weather was mild and sunny with low humidity. The city of canals and vibrant colored buildings sparkled like the pictures on the postcards in every Tabac shop. The travel magic was with me again on my first evening in Dubrovnik. It was another postcard perfect evening as I lay on one of the rocky beaches just outside...

People of Dubrovnik: Nina and Peter Brunsko The bus ride to Dubrovnik was one of the most scenic I’ve ever taken – hugging the coastline like California’s Highway 101 – we watched the scenery changed from pretty to stunning. It’s strange what a difference a couple hundred kilometers can make. We were greeted like rock stars in Dubrovnik by an excited group of travel agents and women who rent out apartments in their homes. These sobe are common and the city approves the families and their apartments – an official soba will have a sign with a star ranking. It was my...

Some town names beg to be followed by an exclamation point. Is it possible to say Surprise, Arizona without a cheer equal to jumping out from behind a sofa on a friend’s birthday? And can anyone say Eureka, California without the “I found it” joy of a mid-century gold miner? Add Split, Croatia to this list. I arrived in Croatia after a long day of train and plane travel from Finale, Milan and Rome. The views of the coast line and small islands just off shore had me thinking of a slow hop along sandy beaches as I would make my way south to Montenegro. But Split was a port town and...

Planning ahead is overrated. This trip has taught me that expensive lesson. First I bought my ticket two months in advance then our stupid economy kept travelers home and rates dropped. Next I tried to figure out how to get from Italy to croatia during shoulder season. Afraid I wouldn’t be able to get a ferry across the adriatic, I bought a plane ticket. Efficiency went out the window when my afternoon flight was cancelled and I was stuck in the rome airport for 5 hours. And finally there is the cost of being flexible. While I should be treking back to split for my retun flight to rome right...