Croatia - Dubrovnik

FYI Croatia is the English name for Hrvatska in the native tongue. 

If you aren't a fan of Game of Thrones (GOT), I am sorry that you have missed out on watching a great series and sorry that you don't get what I have to describe in today's blog which will mention GOT a lot after visiting the extremely old, medieval and intriguing city of Dubrovnik.

We stayed in a village outside of the Dubrovnik area called Mlini where we had a gorgeous view from the balcony,

and a beach to swim at.

It was easy to either get the water taxi or bus into the old town to go exploring.  On the water, as you approach the old town, you can't help but get excited to find out what stories and history are hiding behind those walls.

Before it became too hot, we climbed the steps up to the wall and began the nearly 2km journey around them.

The walls were built between 13th and 17th centuries and consist of ramparts, towers, fortresses and bastions designed to protect the Old Town of Dubrovnik.  The views from various parts were fabulous, and made for ideal settings in various scenes of GOT.

Starting with the outdoor parts for King's Landing because of its authentic setting and historical charm.  

Here are some examples...

Fort Lovrijenac was used to depict the Red Keep, the Lannister family's stronghold.

The door where Gendry escapes 

Jesuit Stairs for Cersei's 'walk of shame' scene.

And the wharf in Blackwater Bay which is in a few scenes, here I am re-enacting Daenerys' wharf scene when she first lands in King's Landing.  

There are many more but that is enough for now.

When we visited these spots, our guide was also filling us in on some actual real life history of Dubrovnik, which actually has some similar themes to GOT's plots before, during and after the Balkan war.  Ivan, the guide, was 11 years old during the war and if we had time, we would have heard a few more hair-raising stories about his life in the early 90s. 

Now, they are happy to have some stability but in schools they don't mention the war.  Good thing or bad thing, they are still working that out.  Pre war there were 5000 living within the walls, now there are only 500 who are busy catering for the 3 million tourists they have per year.  Along with the history, there are 45 churches to visit, like St Mary's Cathedral

and here I am visiting St Francis in an old monastery. 

or you could have a go at one of the many water activities, like kayaking.  We would have if had another day here.

Or sailing around the many islands which will be mentioned in the next blog.  Until then, dovidenja (goodbye) to this wonderful place.