A GUIDE TO SPENDING 3 DAYS IN DUBROVNIK, CROATIA.

Wednesday, 13 July 2022

Dubrovnik has been on my bucket list for years, the interest was probably sparked when I heard Game of Thrones had been filmed there. The city has definitely milked this as you'll find GOT merch, tours and experiences everywhere. Nevertheless it is a beautiful city and it is the perfect place for a weekend escape or as part of a trip around Croatia! I'd love to explore Split, Zagreb and Hvar another time. Here is my itinerary for things to do and where to eat on a 3 day trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia. 


tea with gi dubrovnik guide


Day 1 



Breakfast: Cele

Located right at the end of the Stradun (main street), you'll find Cele. It's a great spot for people watching and you'll get quite a range of breakfast options here. I opted for the french toast, my sister went for pancakes and my mother went for eggs benedict.

AM - Walk around the city walls

Here you will find some of the best views of the city and it is a great way to get your steps in! The first thing you'll notice about Dubrovnik is that 80% of the Old Town is made up of steps, but we still saw plenty of over 70s on group tours so it isn't anything for concern! 

The walls take between 1.5 - 2 hours to walk, depending on how often you stop to take pictures and how many people are stopping in front of you. You can enter from Pile Gate and entry for adults is around 30 euros. 

Lunch: Barba

I'd watched a couple of videos before our trip and obviously my main point of interest was 'must eats in Dubrovnik'. One place that popped up a few times was the small restaurant Barba, and specifically their octopus burger in a squid ink bun. A local had also recommended this place on our tour so it was definitely worth the hype! You can't book, but we went for lunch at 2:30pm and managed to get a spot on the windowsill. 


barba dubrovnik


PM: Kayaking Tour

For £21, you can take a 3 hour kayaking tour that takes you around the city walls at sunset and will also take you around the 'cursed' island of Lokrum. You'll also have a guide who will tell you about the history of Dubrovnik and some urban legends. You will also get 30 minutes on a private beach. Informational, relaxing and you'll also work off that octopus burger! 


Dinner: Taj Mahal (Bosnian Food)

I definitely recommend reserving your tables in advance for dinner because most of the popular places will be fully booked on the night. Don't let the name fool you, as Taj Mahal is actually a Bosnian restaurant! If you have any vegetarians travelling in your party then this probably isn't the restaurant for you as their menu is very meat heavy. We opted for the 'genghis khan plate' which consisted of cevapi, chicken kebab, pljeskavica, suÄ‘ukica, rumsteak and chicken. The food was delicious, my only complaint was that they gave us the table right at the end of the alley way and there wasn't even a street light beside. So as the picture depicts, we basically ate in darkness! 


taj mahal dubrovnik


Day 2 


Breakfast: SNEK

What I liked about this place is that it had a number of healthier options on their menu such as chia pudding and protein pancakes, and it would cost you between £5-£10 depending on what you were eating. They also had an extensive cocktail list, so it’s a great place to come back to in the afternoon.


AM: Game of Thrones Walking Tour 

If you're reading this travel guide, chances are you still haven't got to Dubrovnik. Meaning there is still time to watch the show so you can experience this tour and know your Khaleesi from your Cersei. My mother and sister hadn't seen GOT but still found the tour entertaining as the guide has plenty of pictures, funny anecdotes and non-GOT related stories about the city to share. 



game of thrones tour dubrovnik


PM: Visit Lokrum Island

The small island of Lokrum is only a 30 minute boat ride away from Dubrovnik, and there isn't much to do there except for seeing the peacocks, an Iron Throne replica and a lake that you can sunbathe by and swim in. During your stay you will probably hear how the island is haunted because of a curse that was placed by the Benedictine monks. I'll leave that story for you to find our for yourselves!


DINNER: Gradska Kavana Arsenal

This was probably my favourite meal we had, as we were right by the sea and the food was delicious and moderately priced. They serve a mix of seafood, meat and pasta dishes. I had the fish stew, my mother had squid ink risotto, and my sister had the truffle and mushroom pasta. 


Day 3


As I mentioned Dubrovnik is a relatively small city, which means that it gives you the chance to explore neighbouring cities, or even countries. There are day trips available to Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina. We decided on B&H because it's somewhere we wouldn't necessarily do an exclusive trip to. 

Day trip to Bosnia and Herzegovina 

For me the highlight of this tour was our driver, our pick up was at 7:30am so safe to say we were half asleep but he made the tour so entertaining and interesting. We drove for around an hour and a half before reaching a waterfall where we had an hour of free time, and then we continued on to the city of Mostar. 

I didn’t have any prior knowledge of Mostar or the Bosnian war in the 90s, so it was interesting to get the perspective from our Croat tour guide, and our Bosnian guide in Mostar. You definitely get the sense that people still feel very strongly and divided about what happened. 


mostar bosnia

Lunch: Restaurant Sadrvan 

This place was recommended to us by our guide, and a plate of meat, pita bread and chips cost us less than a fiver. They had a terrace so we got a great view of the bridge and river.

Mostar Day Trip from Dubrovnik (£41) 

Dinner: Mex Cantina 

The tour will have you back in Dubrovnik for dinner time, and if you fancy a change of cuisine then I recommend Mex Cantina. Half the menu was mexican and half was pizza, so we got a bit of everything and thoroughly enjoyed it.



If you have extra time...


  • If you need a pick me up on the go, try the coffee and a pastry (spinach and cheese burek) from Barcaffe in the main street. 
  • Head to Buza Bar, a cliffside bar that's a popular spot to enjoy a wine or beer and see the sunset. Note that this place only takes cash. 
  • If you fancy doing something alternative, try the 'Haunted Dubrovnik' Ghost Tour in the evening. 


We visited Dubrovnik at the end of September and we had perfect weather, aside from 20 minutes of light rain but that was the perfect opportunity to get photos with nobody in the background! I'd recommend going at the end of spring or at the end of summer as the heat can be unbearable in peak summer. 

I hope you've found this guide useful, and if you have any other questions about Dubrovnik, feel free to send me a message on my socials! 



Map created with Wanderlog, for making itineraries on iOS and Android

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tea with gi dubrovnik travel guide



HOW DOES WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT CONTRIBUTE TO DEVELOPMENT?

Friday, 1 July 2022

Women are given more control over their lives and the ability to make their own decisions due to empowerment. As a result, there may be better economic and health outcomes, including greater access to school and better employment possibilities. Increased gender equality, which in turn results in a more equitable society with more opportunities for everybody, is a result of women's empowerment. 



Children fare better because women are better equipped to support and care for their families. By offering women a sense of support, approval, and companionship, relationships can empower them. In a healthy, supportive relationship, women might feel safer and more confident in their choices and behaviours. Women feel more powerful and capable of achieving their objectives when they have a partner who listens to them, affirms their emotions, and inspires them to be their best selves.


Everything leads to women's empowerment and continued development, from their clothing choices to their decisions regarding their education, employment, relationships, income, and more. Women shop at luxury boutiques because of their high calibre, vast selection, and ease. Such boutiques provide a wide variety of well-chosen products to cater to the needs of modern women. These fashionable and high-quality products range from dresses to handbags and jewellery and are perfect for any lady who wants to look and feel her best. 


An excellent option for busy ladies, boutiques also provide the convenience of internet shopping. Every woman can choose something that fits her exactly and gives her confidence and empowerment, thanks to the boutique's extensive selection of sizes and designs. Women can feel financial stability, power, and control. Women can live the life they want without thinking about money if they have a sense of confidence and independence brought on by having a stable financial situation. 


A woman's career can give her much power since it gives her a chance to succeed and be independent. The variety of side jobs available ranges from tutoring or freelance writing to selling handmade goods online or driving for a ride-sharing service. One can generate a sizeable amount of additional income to supplement one's wage with the correct mix of talents, time, and effort. Everyone experiences a tremendous sense of success, self-confidence, and purpose when they have meaningful employment that they enjoy and are proud of. 


Governments that are more responsive and inclusive due to women's empowerment may implement better policies that are advantageous to both men and women. For a society to advance, women's social empowerment is crucial because it gives women the information, abilities, and self-assurance they need to assert their rights and realize their full potential. In addition, empowering women has the potential to boost political engagement and representation, which could benefit developmental programs and policy-making.


Conclusion

Women's empowerment aids development by enabling them to fulfil their potential as contributors to their communities and countries. Empowered women are better equipped to make favorable decisions to their families and communities, resulting in a wealthy and equitable society. Developing a fairer and more just society depends on women's empowerment.



*This is a collaborative post*


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