Dubrovnik & the Splendours of Dalmatia. A Yacht Journey I Did Not Want To End
There are some trips that feel less like holidays and more like chapters in your life story. My yacht cruise through Croatia’s Dalmatian coast, finishing with three unforgettable nights in Dubrovnik, was exactly that: eight days of sun-drenched harbours, cobbled alleyways, purring cats and some of the kindest people I have ever met. I travelled on a small yacht, gliding between emerald islands and terracotta–topped towns before ending in Dubrovnik. It was the perfect balance: lazy mornings at sea, new places to explore almost every day, then time at the end to really get under the skin of the “Pearl of the Adriatic”.
Life on the Adriatic: Island‑Hopping at a Gentler Pace
From the moment I stepped on board, life slowed to the rhythm of the water.
Days started with breakfast, catching up with everyone over a delicious breakfast, watching the stunning scenery outside the windows; limestone cliffs, pine forests and tiny villages that looked like they had grown straight out of the sea. The water really is that impossible shade of blue that no camera can quite capture.
I loved how unhurried everything felt. We would sail for a few hours, stop for a swim in a quiet bay, then wander ashore in the afternoon to explore. Each stop had its own personality:
- Pretty harbours framed by white-stone houses.
- Narrow streets lined with bougainvillea.
- Little churches and sleepy squares where time seemed to stand still.
Cobbled Alleys, Curious Cats and the Kindest People
If there is one thing that will stay with me forever from this trip, it is the atmosphere of the old towns we visited.
I fell in love with the cobbled alleyways. They twist and turn between tall stone houses, suddenly opening out into tiny squares where locals sit in the shade, chatting over tiny cups of strong coffee.
And then there are the cats.
Croatia’s coastal towns seem to belong as much to their feline residents as to the people. Cats sun themselves in doorways, curl up on warm steps and pose (quite shamelessly) for photographs. They gave each place a lived‑in, homely feel, as if you were wandering through someone’s beloved neighbourhood rather than a stage set for tourists. I found myself greeting the same cats more than once, like old friends.
But what really made the trip special was the kindness of the people we met. From waiters who took the time to recommend their favourite local dishes, to guides who shared stories passed down through their families, there was a genuine warmth everywhere we went. Even simple interactions, like buying fruit from a market stall or asking directions, felt like little moments of connection.
Three Nights in Dubrovnik: Walls, Views and a Cable Car to the Sky
After disembarking the yacht, I had three nights in Dubrovnik to really immerse myself in the city.
Walking through the old town for the first time is a real goosebump moment: grand stone gates, polished marble streets, terracotta roofs and the deep blue Adriatic on all sides. It is easy to see why Dubrovnik is so adored.
One of my highlights was taking the cable car up to Mount Srđ. As the cabin glides upwards, the city slowly shrinks below you into a perfect little model: the city walls wrapping around the old town, the islands scattered across the horizon, and the sea shimmering in the sun.
At the top, the view is nothing short of spectacular. I could have stood there for hours, just soaking it all in: the contrast of orange rooftops and blue sea, the tiny yachts leaving gentle white trails behind them, the sense of history and resilience in those ancient walls. If you do just one “big view” in Dubrovnik, make it this one.
A Day Trip Across the Border: Montenegro’s Dramatic Beauty
One day, I hopped over the border into Montenegro, and it felt like stepping into another world, just an hour or two away.
The scenery is wonderfully dramatic: towering mountains dropping straight down into mirror‑calm bays, little stone villages sitting right on the water, and churches whose bell towers are reflected perfectly in the still surface. It is the kind of landscape that makes you fall a little bit quiet.
What I loved most was how different it felt, yet how seamlessly it fitted into the story of the trip. Montenegro added an extra layer of depth and contrast: another culture, other stories, but the same sense of warmth and welcome.
Why This Trip Stole My Heart
I have been lucky enough to travel to many beautiful places, but this itinerary felt particularly special. Looking back, I think it is because it combines so many things I love in one journey:
- The gentle romance of travelling by ship, watching the coastline slowly unfold.
- The charm of old towns, all cobbled alleys, hidden courtyards and friendly local cats.
- Time to genuinely connect with places and people, rather than rushing from sight to sight.
- A final stay in Dubrovnik long enough to move beyond the postcard views and start to feel at home.
More than anything, it reminded me how restorative it is to be by the sea, to walk streets steeped in history and to meet people who are proud to share their home with you.
