Author: Igor

Dubrovnik is a lovely city offering a perfect mix of Baroque architecture, ancient town, red-roofed buildings, and turquoise waters. Every year, millions of tourists visit this charming Dalmatian City to stroll through the Old City Walls, explore its surrounding islands, and more!

Here are some of the best things to do in Dubrovnik.

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1. Walk Around the Old Town

 

Regardless of how long you will spend in Dubrovnik, walking around the Old Town should be one of the first things to do in the city. The Old Town may be small, but it packs a punch. It’s home to several historical sites with beautiful views, rich culture and history. 

The Old Town of Dubrovnik is surrounded by walls built to keep invaders away back in the day. They also serve as protection from powerful waves from the sea. Nowadays, the Old Town is one of Dubrovnik’s main tourist sites. Explore the entirety of the walls, which should take around two hours. Or you can walk only some parts of it and stop at some interesting sites along the way.

Walking around the walled Old Town is guaranteed fun. There are beautiful viewpoints on various spots of the walls, from where you can marvel at the panoramic views of the Old Town. Consider booking a guided walking tour of the Old Town to see Dubrovnik’s most significant sites and listen to interesting stories from your guide.

2. Visit Dubrovnik Brewery

 

Everyone knows that Europeans love beers, and Croatians are no exception. In fact, beer is a popular beverage in the country, and about half of the adult population are beer consumers. Thus, one of the best things to do while in Dubrovnik is to visit a brewery and learn more about Croatia’s beer culture.

Outside the Old Town, you’ll find the Dubrovnik Brewing Company, a popular place for brewery tours in the country. Visitors joining the tour will be taken to the site on a quick 10-min bus ride from the centre of Dubrovnik. Filled with locals and tourists, the brewery has a lively vibe. After the tour, you will have the opportunity to sample a handful of beers on drought. 

On your guided tour of the brewery, you will learn about the process of beer production and what it takes to produce one of the world’s most beloved beverages – craft beer. The drink enthusiasts at Beer Snobs share that the highlight of the tour is the beer tasting at the end. You’ll enjoy the beer with a serving of some tacos.

3. Hit the Beach 

 

Dubrovnik is home to several beautiful beaches. The crystal-clear Adriatic Sea beckons from various angles on your visit to Dubrovnik, especially during the hot summer months. However, these beaches are not like the typical sandy beach since they are rocky. Even those beaches hidden in the caves are rocky. Nevertheless, you can guarantee that the water of these beaches is clear and beautiful.

One of the most popular beaches in Dubrovnik is Banje Beach, surrounded by the beautiful views of the Old Town and Lokrum Island. It’s just across the eastern entrance of the Old Town called the Ploce Gate. Here, you’ll find a few waterfront restaurants and cafes where you can indulge in delicious snacks and refreshing beverages. You can also rent a deck chair, parasol, and other amenities for water sports, such as a jet ski and speed boat.

If you want to visit another beach, catch a ferry from Dubrovnik’s Gruž port to Lopud, a small island off the coast of Dalmatia. The island has a glorious swathe of sand and a sheltered bay with warm shallow seas. You will also find several seasonal bars at the beach serving snacks and drinks. If you’re visiting Dubrovnik mainly for the beach, it may be worth staying in a villa near the beach. Some of the special holiday villas in the Dubrovnik region are located close to the sea, which makes for a truly relaxing stay.

4. Explore Konavle

 

If you want to escape the tourist crowds in Dubrovnik, Konavle Valley is a great alternative. This southernmost region stretches from Cavtat to Croatia’s border with Montenegro. Its distinct landscape consists of rocky coast in the south and tall mountains in the north with a green valley in the middle.

Dubbed the “Golden Valley of Dubrovnik” since its most fertile ground is close to Dubrovnik town, Konavle is the land of waterfalls with small canals throughout the region. It’s about 15 to 20 minutes from the Old Town of Dubrovnik and is best reached by car. You can also take a public bus going to the region. Exuding a very laidback vibe, it has no hotels, with only a few houses offering private accommodation.

Konavle is a small region with only a small number of residents, but it’s one of Dubrovnik’s most visited places. In the peak season, it attracts many tourists, especially those who prefer a much slower pace than the bustling Dubrovnik.

5. Taking a Small Ship Tour 

 

Taking a small ship tour is another popular activity in Dubrovnik since it’s not ideal that you sail into Dubrovnik on a big cruise. The city struggles with over-tourism, especially during the peak tourist season, from May to September. A lot of this is a result of big ships. Thus, the local government is trying to address this by limiting the big ships.

When you book for Dubrovnik vacation, one of the options that will come up is the small ship tour. The cruise will start in Dubrovnik, taking you to explore the many beautiful islands along the Dalmatian Coast. Since you’ll be aboard a small ship, you can guarantee a comfortable journey since a small number of people will be sharing the ship with you. 

One of the most popular routes for a small ship cruise is the journey from Dubrovnik to Split. You can stop at some spectacular sites along the way, such as the spectacular Mljet Island, home to the Mljet National Park.

 

Kingston is Jamaica’s business capital and cultural epicentre. Home to more than two million people, it is rich in cultural and historical attractions. It’s a growing metropolis surrounded by stunning mountains in the north and a beautiful coastline in the south. Offering bustling nightlife, colourful markets, fascinating museums, and fine art galleries, Kingston is well worth a visit. 

Here are some of the best things to do in Kingston.

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1. Bob Marley Museum

 

Jamaicans will always say that their greatest export is reggae, thanks to the legendary musician Bob Marley. And if you’re a big fan of Big Marley, you’d be glad to know that you will find a museum dedicated to him in Kingston. It’s on the site of his former home, which he bought in 1975. The house features a 19th Century architecture and is where he lived until his transition in 1981. 

Considered a cultural hero by many Jamaicans, Bob Marley remains one of Jamaica’s most influential people. You will learn more about him when you visit the museum, which showcases the musician’s incredible life from humble beginnings while living in Jamaica’s poorest communities until he achieved worldwide recognition for his contribution to the music industry. The property is also equipped with an 80-seat theatre, a record shop, a photographic gallery, and a gift shop filled with various memorabilia in honour of Bob Markey.

If you feel like relaxing after touring the museum, check out the One Love Café. Enjoy a sumptuous meal with refreshing beverages. The cafe also serves some authentic Jamaican specialities.

2. Devon House

 

The Devon House is a historic site in Kingston featuring the traditional look of a plantation home with Georgian Jamaican architecture. Representing Jamaica’s rich cultural diversity, it was built in 1881, resembling a typical plantation home that the British built during the height of the slave trade.

Sitting on an 11-acre property at the heart of Kingston, the Devon House was owned by Jamaica’s first millionaire, Gorge Stiebel. Stiebel was a child of a Jamaican housekeeper and a German Jew. He worked as a carpenter, gunrunner, and shipper, but it was in gold mining that he found his fortune. 

The Devon House features 19th-century furniture mimicking a view of the past. Visitors can join tours of the house and the property to learn more about its history and what it represents for Jamaicans today. As you stroll through the estate grounds, you will find many shops, restaurants, and cafes. Surrounded by lush green lawns, the property’s environment is calm and relaxing, with tall palm trees, a water fountain, and a wide range of beautiful flowers exuding a soothing atmosphere.

3. Trench Town Culture Yard

 

Another site that fans of Bob Marley should not miss while on Kingston is Trench Town Culture Yard. It’s another museum about the life of Bob Marley, showcasing the instruments of Bob Marley, along with his contemporaries, Bunny Wailer and Peter Tosh, during their younger years. Many of those who have visited the Culture Yard said that it offers a better sense of the origins of Bob Marley.

The best way to explore Trench Town Culture Yard is to book a guided tour. The tour guides hail from the community and can best show you what life was in the Tenement Yard during the fifties and the sixties. The Culture Yard is just one of the many houses built by Jamaica’s Central Housing Authority around the 1940s. These houses were the “government yards” during those days. 

Trench Pen was the name given to the houses built on a 200-acre land. The land was segmented, and that’s how the residential community is called the Trench Town. The main purpose of this historical site is to show the world the history of Trench Town. During the tour, your guide will also take you to the courtyard’s outer parts, where you will see how residents here live in the community. You will also see the rusting bus owned by Bob Marley.

4. Hike up Blue Mountains

 

For avid hikers, visiting the Blue Mountains of Jamaica is a must. A paradise for hikers and campers, the mountains offer exceptionally magnificent scenery with lots of fun-filled activities. The summit forms the highest point on the island at more than 7,000 feet.

There is a lot to explore in the Blue Mountains. You will find indigenous flora and fauna, which are only available in the region. The area is also famous for the aromatic Blue Mountain Coffee. Some of the most remarkable sceneries include majestic waterfalls and natural springs. You will also have a chance to visit a Rastafarian Village and Maroon heritage sites.

Depending on how long you intend to explore the Blue Mountains, you can choose to hike or cycle to get a first-hand feel of nature at its finest. Either way, you are guaranteed to enjoy your visit. You will also find wild tracks if you opt for a road trip. Many tour companies offer day trips to the Blue Mountains coming from Kingston.

5. Fort Clarence Beach 

 

Jamaica is home to some beautiful, white sandy beaches with crystal clear turquoise waters. One of these is Fort Clarence Beach Park, a white-sand beach equipped with facilities like showers, toilets, and a car park. Located five and a half miles from Fort Charles, Fort Clarence is open to the public with reasonable entry fees.

Given its long, sandy dunes and coastal grasses, Fort Clarence Beach Park exudes a very relaxing ambience. While most people would come here to relax and swim, there are other fun activities to enjoy, such as horseback riding. The park also hosts frequent music festivals, including the occasional bodybuilding contest and beauty pageant.

You don’t have to worry when you get hungry after exploring the beach park since there are plenty of restaurants in the area. These restaurants serve freshly made Jamaican meals, including fried or steamed fish, grilled and curried lobster, and more!

If you plan to visit Fort Clarence Beach, consider staying near the beaches on the other side of the island. Here, you will find stunning luxury Caribbean villas in Jamaica, equipped with all the amenities of a typical home, allowing for a more comfortable and relaxing stay.

York is one of England’s most charming cities. Visiting the city is like stepping back into the Medieval Age, with its beautiful winding streets, magnificent cathedral, and imposing stone walls. It’s a joy to walk around the city, but to guarantee an enjoyable holiday, you should include some fun activities on your itinerary.

Here are some things to do in York.

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1. Walk Around York Centre 

 

York’s city centre is home to cobblestone streets overlooked by the Gothic-style York Minster Cathedral. Walking around the city centre is a great introduction to this beautiful city. The city centre is also home to some attractions worth a stop.

Since Roman times, York has been a walled city, although the striking stone walls surrounding the city centre have been around since the 12th and 14th Centuries, about the same time as the York Minster. These walls remain in good condition and walking through the ramparts around the city centre is one of the most popular things to do in York. The gatehouses are impressive, especially the Micklegate Bar at the south end. When you come here on rainy days, be very careful when walking since the stones are very smooth and can get slippery.

Yorkshire is famous for its beautiful gardens, and the York Museum Gardens are worth a stop as you explore the city centre. It’s a museum and a garden that contains the ruins of a medieval abbey, an ancient hospital, and an art gallery. The museum showcases items dedicated to the history of Yorkshire, dating back to when dinosaurs first roamed the area.

2. Jorvik Viking Centre

 

One of York’s most popular attractions is the Jorvik Viking Centre, a museum that will take you to when York was under Danish rule. Visiting the museum is a fantastic way to delve into York’s Scandinavian past. It gives a snapshot of life during the Viking times.

Inside the Jorvik Viking Centre, you’ll find moving carriages, ancient artefacts, and life-size dioramas that you will feel like you are taking a real trip back in time! Every February, the centre organises the Viking Festival, going a step further by bringing the dioramas into life. 

When going to the Jorvik Viking Centre, come early to avoid the long queues since it’s a busy and popular place. You could spend around 30 to 90 minutes exploring the entire museum. Established in 1984, the museum is run by the York Archaeological Trust.

3. York Minster

 

The York Minster is another place that’s worth a stop as you explore the centre of York. At 235 feet, this Gothic-style cathedral dominates the old part of the city. Everywhere you go in York, you can catch a glimpse of the magnificent cathedral. But to truly admire its magnificence, you need to see it up close. 

If you have the energy, climb the 275 steps to the central tower, where you will find the rooftop gargoyles. From here, admire the stunning views of the historical streets of the York City Centre. If you’re lucky, you could spot a peregrine falcon happily nesting next to the gargoyles. For visitors afraid of heights, step inside the cathedral, wander around, admire the magnificence of its interior, and enjoy the sense of peace the cathedral provides. Don’t forget to check out the stained-glass windows, the sparkling artefacts, and the carved stones.

Check out the Undercroft Museum, which houses 2,000 years of York’s history and is the only accredited museum in a cathedral in the country. Here, you’ll find the remains of a Roman barracks and learn about York’s Viking connection. The museum is also interactive, making the experience even more enjoyable.

4. Yorkshire Air Museum

 

The Yorkshire Air Museum is a unique museum dedicated to preserving the memory of allied aircrews of all nations, starting in World War I up until the present day. It is housed on the authentic WWII Bomber Command base.

Experience the incredible atmosphere of this unique attraction whilst admiring the fascinating displays, including a restored Control Tower, superb Bomber Command exhibition, Airborne Forces Display, and more! The scenic Memorial Gardens offer a wonderful place to relax and reflect on the lives of those who fought for the nation.

The exhibition of Pioneers of Aviation features the work of aviation’s famous figures with links to Yorkshire, including Robert Blackburn, Sir George Cayley, and Sir Barnes Wallis. In March 2016, the museum launched the fascinating exhibition of Gas Bags to Super Zeppelins, showcasing the development of lighter-than-air flights and the use of airships during World War I. After exploring the museum, relax at the cafe inside the museum, which serves hot and cold meals and refreshing drinks.

5. Visit the Dales

 

The Yorkshire Dales National Park is rugged and wild, a place of extreme beauty. Set in more than 680 miles of land area, it is the second largest national park within the Lake District and welcomes more than three million visitors annually.

Perfect for day trippers, cyclists, hikers, and campers, the landscapes of the Yorkshire Dales offer something for everyone. Aside from the vast expanse of hiking trails that the Dales have, you can visit an activity centre where you can enjoy all kinds of outdoor activities, from mountain biking to caving, motorcycling, and abseiling. To truly enjoy everything that the park offers, consider spending a night or two at the park. You will find several glamping options in the North Yorkshire Dales around Yok. These glamping sites have facilities to make your stay in the Dales even more relaxing.

Cycling is a fun activity in the Yorkshire Dales. Having a great network of small roads and terrains lending itself to mountain biking, the Yorkshire Dales is a true haven for cyclists. There are also family-friendly routes, perfect for families with little kids. Aside from cycling, you can enjoy other fun activities with your kids in the Yorkshire Dales. Take them to Holme Open Farm, a charming farm showcasing the traditional working Dales farm. Set between the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the Lake District National Park, the farm offers opportunities for kids to feed the animals.