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July 5, 2025
Dubrovnik, Croatia


Dubrovnik Old City, Croatia

Dubrovnik, Croatia, is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the entire Mediterranean Sea. The Old City still retains its medieval architecture, wall and fortifications, and it was featured prominently in the television series “Game of Thrones.”

We have been to Dubrovnik many, many times. The good news is that the commercialization and tourist mania have largely died down since “Game of Thrones” ended a few years ago. (There was time when walking down the main street was like walking through Disneyland, with wall-to-wall souvenir shops.) Dubrovnik is still a popular tourist destination, and the Old City was very crowded.


Normally, Viking ships dock near Peljesac Bridge and run a shuttle bus to the western entrance of Dubrovnik’s Old City at Pile Gate. Unfortunately, our sister ship Viking Star was already in that spot.


Instead, we had to anchor off shore and run tenders into the Old Port at the eastern entrance


Looking west and east down the Placa Stradun, the main street of Dubrovnik Old City. The cobblestone streets are cleaned and polished every morning.


“Game of Thrones” mania has passed its peak… but there are still souvenir shops throughout the Old City

Gail was assigned to escort the “Croation Delight: Wine Tasting” excursion. But her leg continues to bother her, so she cancelled and remained aboard ship.

Russell was assigned to escort the “Mali Ston Hike & Croation Delicacies” excursion. Not to be confused with the “wall walk” in Dubrovnik’s Old City, this tour started with a one-hour bus ride to the towns of Ston and Mali Ston. (“Ston” is Croation for “stone.” “Mali Ston” is Croation for “little stone.”)

Ston was famous for its salt production, which the city needed to protect from all kinds of invaders. A wall more than four miles long was erected in the 1300-1500s. Today, it is among the longest preserved fortification systems in the world.

The group spent about an hour and a half walking and climbing the lower part of the wall. (The upper part, which is almost forbiddingly steep, has been under reconstruction for years.)


The towns of Ston and Mali Ston are connected by a 4.5-mile medieval wall


The steep wall that goes straight up the mountain (center) is under construction and off limits. Viking’s excursion climbed the more level wall that branches off to the right.


Five of the 17 excursion guests took one look at the wall climb, then decided to stay down below in town instead


After the first bastion, most guests climbed back down and into town


Russell, on the other hand, climbed two additional bastions


The view from the top, featuring the salt fields

For the second part of the excursion, guests boarded a small boat to examine shellfish traps out in the bay. They were treated to a small feast of fresh oysters (seasoned only with lemon) and mussels bouzara (seasoned with wine, garlic and olive oil).


For the second part of the excursion, a boat took guests out to shellfish traps out in the bay


Guests enjoyed a taste of fresh oysters and mussels bouzara

After the excursion, Russell took some time to walk through Dubrovnik Old City. Despite the crowds, this remains one of his favorite destinations in the Mediterranean.


“Game of Thrones” fans always look for the Jesuit Staircase. It is on the far side of a marketplace, and has just re-opened after months of renovation.




The Jesuit Staircase vs. how it appears in “Game of Thrones”


Back aboard ship, the Viking Vesta has now added its christening bottle to the display case!

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