Time Out In The Adriatic

Dubrovnik is known as the “pearl of the Adriatic” or the “Croatian Athens”. It is a cultural centre and a highlight on the Dalmatian coast. Its old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Mighty fortress walls rise high above the deep-blue sea and protect one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. Baroque palaces, churches and Renaissance facades characterise the cityscape, while the narrow streets are partly paved with marble. Fans will recognise the backdrop from the series “Game of Thrones”, which was filmed here. At Gundulic Square, local specialities such as lavender sachets, arancini and liqueurs entice the senses of visitors and showcase the region’s culinary diversity.

Nothing can prepare you for your first sight of Dubrovnik. Lying 216 km (135 miles) southeast of Split and commanding a jaw-dropping coastal location, it is one of the world's most beautiful fortified cities. Its massive stone ramparts and fortress towers curve around a tiny harbor, enclosing graduated ridges of sun-bleached orange-tiled roofs, copper domes, and elegant bell towers. Your imagination will run wild picturing what it looked like seven centuries ago when the walls were built, without any suburbs or highways around it, just this magnificent stone city rising out of the sea.In the 7th century AD, residents of the Roman city Epidaurum (now Cavtat) fled the Avars and Slavs of the north and founded a new settlement on a small rocky island, which they named Laus, and later Ragusa. On the mainland hillside opposite the island, the Slav settlement called Dubrovnik grew up. In the 12th century the narrow channel separating the two settlements was filled in (now the main street through the Old Town, called Stradun), and Ragusa and Dubrovnik became one. The city was surrounded by defensive walls during the 13th century, and these were reinforced with towers and bastions in the late 15th century.From 1358 to 1808 the city thrived as a powerful and remarkably sophisticated independent republic, reaching its golden age during the 16th century. In 1667 many of its splendid Gothic and Renaissance buildings were destroyed by an earthquake. The defensive walls survived the disaster, and the city was rebuilt in baroque style.Dubrovnik lost its independence to Napoléon in 1808, and in 1815 passed to Austria-Hungary. During the 20th century, as part of Yugoslavia, the city became a popular tourist destination, and in 1979 it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the war for independence, it came under heavy siege. Thanks to careful restoration, few traces of damage remain; however, there are maps inside the Pile and Ploče Gates illustrating the points around the city where damage was done. It’s only when you experience Dubrovnik yourself that you can understand what a treasure the world nearly lost

A pearl on the coast of Apulia: Monopoli boasts an enchanting old town, with white houses enclosed by the historic city walls and the majestic Castle of Charles V. The name Monopoli means “only city” and comes from the Greek – a reference to the long and eventful history of the place. Stroll through the picturesque lanes of the old town and you will discover charming squares and the impressive baroque cathedral of Maria Santissima della Madia. But Monopoli has more to offer than just history and culture: the coastal town is also known for its glorious beaches and crystal-clear water, which invite you to spend some relaxing hours by the sea to swim and enjoy.

Ravenna, a city full of impressive architecture, is one of the most important centres of Italian art and culture. Formerly the capital of the Western Roman Empire, the city later spent many years as the magnificent outpost of the Byzantine Empire in the west. Ravenna’s highlights include the intricate mosaics in the Basilica di San Vitale and the colourful, richly decorated Mausoleum of Galla Placidia. Other sights worth visiting are the Battistero degli Ariani and Battistero Neoniano churches, as well as the impressive last resting place of the Ostrogothic King Theodoric. The city’s close connection with Dante Alighieri can be seen at his temple-like tomb and the Museo Dante, where visitors can learn more about the life and works of the famous poet.

A small, quiet, well-heeled city, Ravenna has brick palaces, cobblestone streets, magnificent monuments, and spectacular Byzantine mosaics. The high point in its civic history occurred in the 5th century, when Pope Honorious moved his court here from Rome. Gothic kings Odoacer and Theodoric ruled the city until it was conquered by the Byzantines in AD 540. Ravenna later fell under the sway of Venice, and then, inevitably, the Papal States.Because Ravenna spent much of its past looking east, its greatest art treasures show that Byzantine influence. Churches and tombs with the most unassuming exteriors contain within them walls covered with sumptuous mosaics. These beautifully preserved Byzantine mosaics put great emphasis on nature, which you can see in the delicate rendering of sky, earth, and animals. Outside Ravenna, the town of Classe hides even more mosaic gems.

On the coast of the upper Adriatic, a city full of contrasts awaits visitors: Trieste, in north-eastern Italy, combines the charm of the Mediterranean with the elegance of central Europe. The magnificent architecture is particularly evident in Piazza dell’Unita d’Italia, the largest square in Europe that opens onto the sea. Trieste features an exciting mix of sights, including its historic centre, an old port and Miramare Castle. The city’s vibrant coffee house culture, with places to relax and enjoy, reflects its unique character – here you can also discover traces of the Irish writer James Joyce, who found a source of inspiration in Trieste.

Up until the end of World War I, Trieste was the only port of the vast Austro-Hungarian Empire and therefore a major industrial and financial center. In the early years of the 20th century, Trieste and its surroundings also became famous by their association with some of the most important names of Italian literature, such as Italo Svevo, and English and German letters. James Joyce drew inspiration from the city's multiethnic population, and Rainer Maria Rilke was inspired by the seacoast west of the city. Although it has lost its importance as a port and a center of finance, it has never fully lost its roll as an intellectual center. The streets hold a mix of monumental, neoclassical, and art-nouveau architecture built by the Austrians during Trieste's days of glory, granting an air of melancholy stateliness to a city that lives as much in the past as the present.

A picturesque coastal town that extends far into the deep-blue Mediterranean – Piran enchants with its Italian-Venetian flair. The lively Tartini Square, dating from the 19th century and located directly on the harbour, forms the heart of the city. With its charming alleys, small palazzi and diverse restaurants, it exudes a special atmosphere, which is further enhanced by the surrounding ring walls. The salt from the salt pans brought prosperity to Piran early on and still makes it one of the most beautiful medieval cities in Slovenia.

Opatija on the north-eastern coast of the Istrian peninsula, once known as the “Austrian Riviera”, is an attractive town featuring beautiful historicist architecture. The Habsburg merchant Iginio Scarpa built Villa Angiolina in the 19th century – when Opatija started to attract foreign visitors. In 1889, the town was declared the first health spa resort on the Austrian Adriatic coast and has preserved its historic charm ever since: grand hotels, magnificent villas and opulent parks line the coast waiting to be discovered on a walk along the waterfront promenade as the sun is reflected in the sea.

Stroll along Opatija’s seaside promenade, and soak up the splendour, as you enjoy fresh sea air, the sight of waving yacht masts, and the presence of grand ocean-facing buildings. Historically a fashionable destination for European aristocracy, the city is just as in-demand today - with palatial structures watching out over an inviting blue sea, and a border of lush green mountains stretching around the city. Vibrant gardens, glorious weather and endless seafront combine to ensure that Croatia’s original tourist destination remains one of the country’s finest.

In the middle of the Adriatic coastline, one of the oldest cities in Croatia, Sibenik, reveals its unique charm. The winding streets of the old town, lively squares and impressive architecture offer an authentic insight into the history of the region. A particular highlight is the Cathedral of St. James, a masterpiece in stonemasonry and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Situated not far from the mouth of the River Krka, the city is also the ideal starting point for excursions to see the spectacular waterfalls in nearby Krka National Park.

Šibenik's main monument, its Gothic-Renaissance cathedral, built of pale-gray Dalmatian stone and designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands on a raised piazza close to the seafront promenade. From here a network of narrow, cobbled streets leads through the medieval quarter of tightly packed, terra-cotta–roof houses, and up to the ruins of a 16th-century hilltop fortress. The city has never been a real tourist destination. Before the Croatian war for independence, it was a relatively prosperous industrial center, but when the factories closed, Šibenik sank into an economic depression. However, the cathedral more than warrants a look, and it makes a decent base for visiting the waterfalls of Krka National Park.

In the middle of the beautiful Adriatic lies Hvar, one of the sunniest islands in the Mediterranean and a jewel of southern Croatia. As you enter the port in Hvar Town, you will get a sense of its charm with old houses, yachts, cafes and boutiques lining the picturesque harbour promenade. The medieval Spanjola Fortress perched on top of the hill offers beautiful views over the Hell’s Islands archipelago. The island’s hinterland is dotted with fragrant lavender fields, olive trees and vineyards. The best beaches are in the south, where pine forests stretch down to the pebble beaches and provide some shade. Hvar combines Mediterranean beauty with historic charm and is a popular holiday destination for those in the know.

The Croatian island of Hvar bills itself as the "sunniest island in the Adriatic." Not only does it have the figures to back up this claim—an annual average of 2,724 hours of sunshine—but it also makes visitors a sporting proposition, offering them a money-back guarantee if there are seven consecutive days of snow (snow has been known to fall here; the last time being February 2012).

Dubrovnik is known as the “pearl of the Adriatic” or the “Croatian Athens”. It is a cultural centre and a highlight on the Dalmatian coast. Its old town has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979. Mighty fortress walls rise high above the deep-blue sea and protect one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe. Baroque palaces, churches and Renaissance facades characterise the cityscape, while the narrow streets are partly paved with marble. Fans will recognise the backdrop from the series “Game of Thrones”, which was filmed here. At Gundulic Square, local specialities such as lavender sachets, arancini and liqueurs entice the senses of visitors and showcase the region’s culinary diversity.

Nothing can prepare you for your first sight of Dubrovnik. Lying 216 km (135 miles) southeast of Split and commanding a jaw-dropping coastal location, it is one of the world's most beautiful fortified cities. Its massive stone ramparts and fortress towers curve around a tiny harbor, enclosing graduated ridges of sun-bleached orange-tiled roofs, copper domes, and elegant bell towers. Your imagination will run wild picturing what it looked like seven centuries ago when the walls were built, without any suburbs or highways around it, just this magnificent stone city rising out of the sea.In the 7th century AD, residents of the Roman city Epidaurum (now Cavtat) fled the Avars and Slavs of the north and founded a new settlement on a small rocky island, which they named Laus, and later Ragusa. On the mainland hillside opposite the island, the Slav settlement called Dubrovnik grew up. In the 12th century the narrow channel separating the two settlements was filled in (now the main street through the Old Town, called Stradun), and Ragusa and Dubrovnik became one. The city was surrounded by defensive walls during the 13th century, and these were reinforced with towers and bastions in the late 15th century.From 1358 to 1808 the city thrived as a powerful and remarkably sophisticated independent republic, reaching its golden age during the 16th century. In 1667 many of its splendid Gothic and Renaissance buildings were destroyed by an earthquake. The defensive walls survived the disaster, and the city was rebuilt in baroque style.Dubrovnik lost its independence to Napoléon in 1808, and in 1815 passed to Austria-Hungary. During the 20th century, as part of Yugoslavia, the city became a popular tourist destination, and in 1979 it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the war for independence, it came under heavy siege. Thanks to careful restoration, few traces of damage remain; however, there are maps inside the Pile and Ploče Gates illustrating the points around the city where damage was done. It’s only when you experience Dubrovnik yourself that you can understand what a treasure the world nearly lost

Nothing can prepare you for your first sight of Dubrovnik. Lying 216 km (135 miles) southeast of Split and commanding a jaw-dropping coastal location, it is one of the world's most beautiful fortified cities. Its massive stone ramparts and fortress towers curve around a tiny harbor, enclosing graduated ridges of sun-bleached orange-tiled roofs, copper domes, and elegant bell towers. Your imagination will run wild picturing what it looked like seven centuries ago when the walls were built, without any suburbs or highways around it, just this magnificent stone city rising out of the sea.In the 7th century AD, residents of the Roman city Epidaurum (now Cavtat) fled the Avars and Slavs of the north and founded a new settlement on a small rocky island, which they named Laus, and later Ragusa. On the mainland hillside opposite the island, the Slav settlement called Dubrovnik grew up. In the 12th century the narrow channel separating the two settlements was filled in (now the main street through the Old Town, called Stradun), and Ragusa and Dubrovnik became one. The city was surrounded by defensive walls during the 13th century, and these were reinforced with towers and bastions in the late 15th century.From 1358 to 1808 the city thrived as a powerful and remarkably sophisticated independent republic, reaching its golden age during the 16th century. In 1667 many of its splendid Gothic and Renaissance buildings were destroyed by an earthquake. The defensive walls survived the disaster, and the city was rebuilt in baroque style.Dubrovnik lost its independence to Napoléon in 1808, and in 1815 passed to Austria-Hungary. During the 20th century, as part of Yugoslavia, the city became a popular tourist destination, and in 1979 it was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the war for independence, it came under heavy siege. Thanks to careful restoration, few traces of damage remain; however, there are maps inside the Pile and Ploče Gates illustrating the points around the city where damage was done. It’s only when you experience Dubrovnik yourself that you can understand what a treasure the world nearly lost