Dubrovnik

When I drove into Dubrovnik over the winding cliffside roads, looking over the ocean, it was such a breath of fresh air after hours in transit! The turquoise water, rocky beaches and Tuscan looking golden villas lining the headlands and shore were more beautiful than I ever imagined. We got into town and saw a big castle and stepped into a state of chaos of bikes, buses, locals and tourists everywhere filling the air with sound. 

Our hotel was on Adriatic beach a few minutes from town and boasted a picture perfect view. We went to the pebble and umbrella lined beach for a dip in the crystal clear water. Curiosity kicked in and we decided to explore and found a little secret boat dock with a ladder to jump in and a few of us went in. My friends and I met a local family and were greeted by the little boy called Mario swimming in the water too.'What is your name?' he giggled shyly. Followed by, 'What is your favorite color?' He couldn't speak much English, but he was the cutest thing. My favorite activity in Dubrovnik was the gondola that takes you up to the highest mountain and provides a breathtaking view of the whole city and ocean. 

I would also highly recommend taking one of the ocean cruises and exploring surrounding islands, however be warned many of the surrounding coasts are covered in nudes. I also took plenty of time to explore the cobbled back streets of Dubrovnik which are hidden pockets of beautiful scenery and buildings. The Dubrovnik nights were spent eating pizza, seafood and partying at the local bars. I fell in love with Dubrovnik, it's a place with such rich natural beauty, culture and history.