Dubrovnik and Hvar Croatia, Kotor Montenegro, and Bosnia & Herzegovina

Let’s talk about that amazing week I spent traveling around with some awesome friends! I had already been to Croatia twice, so going back a third time wasn’t really on my “To Do” list. However, having heard some great things about Dubrovnik and its neighboring islands I knew I wanted to check it out. By sheer chance, two other friends were going there and I decided to tag along for what turned out to be an unforgettable adventure. The beginning and end of summer are the best times to go to Croatia; it's not high tourist season and the weather is warm enough to bask on the famous Croatian beaches. 

We started out in Dubrovnik. It’s a small city on the Croatian coast. Like most coastal Croatian cities, you have the spectacular mix of mountains and the Adriatic Sea. The city center of Dubrovnik is cozy, yet has a certain charm about it that makes you feel like you’ve stepped back in time. You can take a walk around the top of this walled city, yet we found it more cost effective to take the funicular (or even walk up) to the top of the mountain which overlooks the region. The sunset views were breathtaking and left you wanting more. The greenish blue water renders the beaches even that much more beautiful. Traveling with wine connoisseurs meant that we spent the day visiting a few wineries in the region. If you didn’t already know, Croatia produces some amazing wine. Grgic Winery has a wide range of wines that are just as good as any Italian or French wine.

While in Dubrovnik, it’s very easy to find affordable rates for tour guides or group trips that will take you to other regions. We choose to take a day trip to Kotor Montenegro and then crossed the border to Bosnia for lunch. The drive to Kotor was spectacular. On your right was the coast and then lakes, while on your left were lush green mountains. The city center of Kotor is quite small but was also rated one of the top cities to visit in Europe. Going up into the mountains offers you astonishing views that you’ll remember for a life time. We then crossed the border into Bosnia for lunch. When asking the Croatians what to do in Bosnia, we were told that the meat is excellent. And that it was! Bosnia is a carnivores delight.

We ended our day trip to Montenegro and Bosnia by crossing the border back into Croatia and taking a ferry to the island of Hvar. When you think of cool, fun, beautiful party islands, think of Hvar! It has everything you want. With it's economy based largely on tourism, it's not a cheap island (average European prices).

Negotiating prices with different boat operators and captains led us to a cheap day trip on the Adriatic Sea. Our day included visits to the Blue Cave, the Green Cave, isolated beaches, and 2015's Europe's top beaches. Our limits were tested by an opportunity to go cliff diving! Every night is a party in Hvar. There are numerous clubs, bars and restaurants that are packed with the few locals but mostly tourists that just want to have fun!

I am a person that is not usually inclined to visit a country more than once. However, visiting Croatia for the third time taught me that you should never close your mind to new adventures. Friendly people, cheap prices, spending your days on picturesque beaches and your nights out making new friends, what more could you really ask for!