| As a beautiful town dripping with important historical | | | | After the sun's set, the entire Old Town is lit up, making |
| monuments, Dubrovnik truly lives up to its reputation as | | | | for a spectacular backdrop to an evening out. An |
| the 'Pearl of the Adriatic'. It's not, however, one of the | | | | evening's stroll down Stradun, (the city's familiar main |
| cheapest destinations in Europe. If you follow a few | | | | drag) is free, but the shops and bars that line it are not. |
| simple guidelines, and are prepared to compromise | | | | It's worth bearing in mind that, as with most major |
| slightly here and there, it needn't turn out to be too | | | | tourist areas, a drink here can be quite a bit more |
| expensive. | | | | expensive than elsewhere in town. |
| Dazzling Dubrovnik | | | | As for what to do later on: Dubrovnik's a fairly quiet |
| To the very south of Croatia, giving out into the | | | | town, and atmospheric little bars are more the order of |
| sparkling Adriatic Sea, Dubrovnik's thick walls hold a | | | | the day than large clubs. One such is the spectacularly |
| small town of almost matchless beauty and charm. A | | | | situated 'Buza', which is located in the shadow of the |
| hive of narrow streets running between picturesque | | | | walls looking out to sea. |
| red-roofed houses, baroque palaces, churches, and a | | | | During the Summer Festival (which runs annually from |
| couple of stunning monasteries, few places inspire | | | | early July to late August) things get slightly more |
| quite such a dedicated following as Dubrovnik. | | | | raucous than usual. For the rest of the year, the scene |
| You know when a town counts John Malkovich | | | | goes back to being pretty sedate with locals and |
| amongst its devotees that it's not necessarily going to | | | | visitors alike crammed into a couple of pleasant little |
| be the cheapest European destination. But for those of | | | | places tucked away in the Old Town. |
| us who aren't Hollywood A-listers, there are deals to | | | | Don't Break the Budget: Bask on a Beach |
| be had if you do your research and are prepared to | | | | Dubrovnik's a small town, which, despite having a |
| be a little imaginative when you get there. As is the | | | | number of fascinating sights of cultural and historical |
| case with budget travel everywhere, you can make | | | | interest, need only take a day or two to see |
| savings on some things, so you can afford to splash | | | | everything there is to see. And once you've done that, |
| out elsewhere. | | | | there's little else to do but enjoy the town for what it is: |
| Accommodation, particularly, is not as cheap as in | | | | a scenic and thoroughly relaxing little place. |
| many other parts of Central and Eastern Europe, but | | | | A short stroll from the city brings you to the beach at |
| there are still a couple of fairly temptingly priced | | | | Lazareti, a pleasant enough place to spend an |
| Dubrovnik hostels. Of these, the Dubrovnik | | | | afternoon sunning yourself. But journeying just a little |
| Backpackers Club is probably the best bet for real | | | | further afield can yield even better results. The whole |
| budget travelers, but there are also a number of | | | | of Croatia's coastline is lined with some of the most |
| affordable apartments and cheap hotels available. | | | | pristinely unspoilt (and practically deserted) beaches to |
| An Old Town full of Historical Treasures | | | | be found anywhere in the Mediterranean. |
| Having checked in, the town is waiting to be explored. | | | | Secluded coves are held in by rocky outcrops jutting |
| The entire Old Town of Stari Grad is a UNESCO | | | | out into the cobalt blue waters. A little further back |
| World Heritage Site. Key sights include the Cathedral | | | | from the shore, leads in turn to forests of pine trees |
| of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, which was built | | | | whispering in the warm summer breezes. |
| on the remains of an existing Romanesque chapel and | | | | One slight downside is that the whole of the Dalmatian |
| a lovely old Franciscan Monastery. | | | | coastline is lined with pebble beaches... Empty pebble |
| Scattered around town, and partially obscured by the | | | | beaches, but pebble beaches nevertheless. A short |
| inevitable tourist tat shops, there are a few jewelers | | | | boat journey and a nice daytrip from the city are the |
| and silversmiths (for which the town is famous). A | | | | islands Lopud and Lokrum. The former even has, in |
| small cluster of such places can be found to the south | | | | Plaza Sunj, that rarest of Croatian commodities - a |
| of the town. | | | | beach of sparkling white sand. |
| The Gradske Zidine, the robust limestone city walls, | | | | Prepare a pack lunch, board the ferry and enjoy a day |
| also make for an affordable way to while away some | | | | of lounging in the sun soaking up the rays. By the end |
| time. The entrance fee of 30kn is unlikely to stretch | | | | of the day - having spent next to nothing - you should |
| even the tightest of budgets, and early evenings are | | | | have saved up enough to indulge in some of the city's |
| particularly beautiful with sensational views of the sun | | | | famous seafood dishes... A classic case of making |
| setting across the ocean. | | | | savings in some areas, so you can afford to splash |
| A Stroll down Stradun | | | | out on the little luxuries. |