DUBROVNIK, CROATIA

Departing from the quayside, we shall board our awaiting coach and drive to Pile Gate, the starting point for our guided walking tour of the Old Town and it’s treasures.

Departing from the quayside, we shall board our awaiting coach and drive to Pile Gate, the starting point for our guided walking tour of the Old Town and it’s treasures. Today, as in the past, Stradun – the broad main street of the ancient town – is the very heart of Dubrovnik. Nearly all the beautiful stately houses lining this thoroughfare are in the late Renaissance style, having been built after the great earthquake of 1667, in which one fifth of the city’s population perished. We shall visit the 14th century Franciscan Monastery renowned for its pharmacy, one of the oldest in Europe, and for its treasury, which contains a precious collection of relics, pictures of ancient Dubrovnik and portraits of the city’s famous citizens. Our next stop will be the Rector’s Palace, once the seat of the Government and the Rector of the Dubrovnik Republic. This masterpiece of Dalmatian architecture and its permanent display of artefacts, furniture, paintings, coins, medals, decorations, stamps and arms are certainly well worth a look. Our tour will then continue to the Cathedral, a Baroque building dating back to the 17th century and designed by Andrea Uffalini. It occupies the site of an earlier cathedral, a Romanesque basilica, which was probably the most splendid building in Dubrovnik before its destruction during the Great Earthquake. Its exceptionally rich treasury preserves relics of gold and silver from the 12th to 17th centuries as well as works by local, Byzantine, Italian and other craftsmen. We will be able to enjoy some time at leisure, possibly shopping in the main street or relaxing in one of the many cafes, before rejoining our coach at Pile Gate for a scenic drive to Konvale. En route we shall stop at a panoramic viewpoint for breathtaking views of Dubrovnik. Our coach will then continue along the lovely Zupa coastline, also known as the Riviera of Dubrovnik, passing by the resorts of Srebreno, Mlini, Soline and Plat before reaching the Konavoski Dvori restaurant – one of the most popular restaurants on the entire Dalmatian Coast. Here, we shall enjoy a traditional welcome of local brandy and dried figs, in the restaurant courtyard, which is situated in an old water mill next to the cascading waters of the Ljuta River. We will also be able to enjoy a traditional lunch, with delacies such as roast lamb cooked under the iron bells and covered with hot coals. Following lunch we will proceed to Cavtat. Entering the picturesque seaside resort founded by Greek Settlers from Epidaurus, we shall arrive at the palm-lined promenade, from where a walk will take us to the town centre. Here we shall have some time at leisure. We may opt to climb the 125 steps to the hilltop Mausoleum of the Racic family. This impressive domed, octagonal building was the work of the famous Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic, and contains the remains of an influential local family who died during a plague epidemic. For those of us looking for a more leisurely pursuit, we can choose to wander into the lively and sophisticated city centre, to browse in the many shops or watch the world go by in a local café. Following our free time, we shall rejoin our coach and return to the port and our awaiting ship.

Please note that this tour involves approximately 2 hours of walking in addition to any time spent walking during your free time. At the Franciscan Monastery and the Cathedral the majority of the walking will be over flat, even ground, however there will be some steps to negotiate. At the Rector's Palace there are approximately 20 steps to encounter in order to reach the first floor. For those of us wishing to visit the Mausoleum, please note that there are 125 steps to negotiate. This tour is not suitable for passengers with limited mobility.

DESCRIPTION CORRECT FOR 2007 CANARIES & MEDITERRANEAN CRUISES