The Pearl of the Adriatic

Dubrovnik, in the southernmost point of Croatia, is famous as being one of the most beautiful places on the coast and truly a pearl of the Adriatic. I only spent two days, much of it in the pouring rain, in the city. Although the architecture of the old city and its history as a walled town were impressive, I was not as charmed as some of the city's other visitors.

Met by vulturous locals at the bus station trying to aggressively rent me a room in their home, I was only saved by two other travelers from Tokyo and Southern France kind enough to allow me to join them in bartering for a place to stay. That debacle overcome, we enjoyed an entire rain-free evening discovering the fabulous narrow walkways and walls of the city, along with throngs of other tourists. Trying hard to capitalize on its views of the Adriatic, history, and charm, Dubrovnik has managed to attract thousands of tourists to its old town each and every day.

Braving a drenching rain storm the following day, I found myself slogging around a crowded center along with other outsiders and appalled at the overpriced cafes and souvenir shops. The Croatian city has managed to convert itself into a "world-class" tourist destination, complete with all of the trappings of such places. I somehow did not feel as if I was in a real place where people live and life happens. Instead, Dubrovnik felt contrived and preserved as a place for foreigners to depart with their Euros and dollars rather than a relaxing place to get to know the Adriatic coast. Coming from the quieter coast of Montenegro, I was happy to head off the beaten track again on the following day and suspect that my next visits to Croatia will be in its lesser-traveled coastal paradises.