Dubrovnik
I spent over 24 hours getting there, and it was a hectic journey.
The train schedule to Genoa didn’t align with my flight. So, I had to leave Riomaggiore in the evening, fully planning on spending a night at the airport.
Getting off at the station labelled airport in Genoa, I made the mistake of assuming it would be anywhere near the airport. That’s when my phone failed me, leaving me with no access to google. I lugged my bags into the city, and found a kind woman to point me towards a taxi. She didn’t speak English, but she was keen on helping me. We found a taxi, and the man didn’t charge me for the 10-minute ride since he could tell I was stressed.
I made it to the airport… where there were no benches or lounges in sight. It was TINY. It has two terminals. There was literally nowhere for me to go and hunker down, so I made reservations for the hotel within walking distance.
After 4 hours of sleep and a shower, I arrived at the check-in counter only to find that I had an issue with my ticket. I was sent to the service desk. I pulled up my receipts and documents, while the man helping me yelled at someone on the other end of the phone. It got sorted and I was finally able to grab a coffee before boarding.
The passport office in Germany ( my layover ) briefly detained me since no one stamped my passport leaving Italy. They let me go because I had receipts for my flight out of the country and a Canadian passport.
Arriving at my charming Airbnb after finally touching ground in Dubrovnik, my host Nada took the time to help me with my bags and gifted me with an absurd amount of tomatoes and a bottle of maraschino, a cherry-based liquor she’d made. We sat down over coffee, and she walked me through everything I needed to know about her city.
I treated myself to delicious buzura muscles at a restaurant on the coast and listened to the tide coming in while I sipped on wine.
Overall, it was a great way to end a really hectic 24 hours, but that view was so worth it.
Bosnia
I accidentally ended up in Bosnia.
I met a lovely gentleman from South Africa while I was at the airport who told me I needed to go on this tour while I was visiting Dubrovnik. Looking it up, I saw that it involved chasing waterfalls, so I immediately booked.
I didn’t read the fine print. Normally, it’s all about refunds and payment dates, but this time, it was about crossing a border. Unknowingly, had booked a day trip to Bosnia. To say it threw me for a loop is an understatement. I made sure to grab my passport before I was out the door at 5 am.
And so, I got into the white van with strangers before the sun rose and set off to Mostar. It’s a charming city known for its UNESCO bridge, Star Most, built in the 16th century. It’s one of six locations used in the Redbull Cliffdiving World Championships. I’ll admit, getting to the top of the bridge and seeing the water beneath you somehow doesn’t look that daunting. Yet, when you pull back and see the bridge from afar, the 70-foot drop looks much more impressive and terrifying.
Other than that, Mostar is a vibrant city full of mixed cultures, stunning art galleries and riverside cafes. Bustling bazaars keep the streets full of colourful wares and food as you meander through the cobbled streets.
I also had the privilege to visit one of the only Turkish homes left standing. It’s actually a small portion of what used to be a large estate to a judge. Built in the 16th century, the section remaining was originally designed for the judge’s harem, a safe space for his wives to live and welcome company.
In true Sophie fashion, I tried to take a cute video pouring my Turkish coffee and messed it up in front of a laughing waiter, who gave me a new cup and poured it himself. The food was extraordinary, and I had the BEST view to enjoy it.
After poking around Mostar, I found myself shooting the breeze with some fellow travellers in the group on our way to Kravice Waterfalls. We took a pit stop for coffee by the road, and that’s when things got interesting.
So, get this – the Parisian dude I was talking to? Turns out, we both ran into the same South African guy at the Munich airport. And get this, he had somehow convinced us separately to join this day trip. And, crazier still, we both decided to do it on the same day! We did our best to move on from the crazy coincidence while we finished our caffeine and got back on the shuttle.
Fast forward to Kravice Waterfalls – a mind-blowing place. After walking down a million sitars, we soaked in the beauty, and we all took a plunge into the icy water to cool off.
As the day wound down, we said our goodbyes and braced ourselves for the long ride back home. It wasn’t just about the places we hit; it was about the unexpected connections, the laughs, and the crazy coincidence of running into travel buddies who, thanks to the charm of a persuasive stranger, became part of this spontaneous adventure.
It really is a small world, after all.
Dubrovnik
My favourite travel days are spent on the water.
I had a blast spending a whole morning exploring the coastline and islands near Dubrovnik. Met this cool couple on their honeymoon while we sailed through clear waters, and they shared some interesting stories about the city’s history.
We sipped local beers between hopping islands, but the highlight for me was jumping into the water and checking out the blue caves. There were three caves, and they call them the blue grottos because of how the sunlight turns the water glowing blue inside. The first two were easy to get into, filled with colourful fish, making it feel like I was in a dream.
The third one, though, you had to go underwater and swim underneath the rocks to get in. I’m not gonna lie, that’s usually not my thing. Somehow, I mustered the courage, swam through, and even though it was pretty cool, I didn’t hang around too long while i tried to fight off a panic attack.
After the tour, I came back home with salty hair, sun-dried skin, and found fresh veggies, booze, and a note telling me to enjoy from my airbnb host. Spent the rest of the day reading on the deck and grabbing groceries for the week. Solid morning, if you ask me.
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You can walk the walls of the iconic city, and I highly recommend you do.
While the endless stairs and narrow passages can be tough, the views are unparalleled. Not to mention the caffeine and drinks you can get along the way as a reward. So take your time and make your way around the city that was built over 1 thousand years ago.
My morning (I highly recommend you go before 11 am to avoid the crowds) was delightfully filled with photographing the views while stopping for delicious cocktails.
Once I came back down, I spent time visiting the Dali exhibit at the museum and then choosing some local street art to bring home for my collection. With some gelato, a delicious seafood lunch and an evening basking in the sunshine on my balcony with a terrible book.
I debated visiting the love stories museum, but it felt like a personal attack on my single life, so I opted for a dip in the cool water by my Airbnb instead.
Lokrum
Picture me, hauling 30 lbs of gear through Old Town’s maze-like streets full of people, barely making it in time to catch a ferry while the Croatian captain looks on, shaking his head. That’s how I started my day.
Everyone said Lokrum is a must-visit, so I grabbed my tickets, even though I may have overslept from a fun night out with a new friend. Oops!
But it was all worth it. The island has stunning views, endless forested paths, and so many peacocks dotting its landscapes that they look like jewels nestled into rocks.
There’s so much to see from the closed monastery to the cliffs whipped with wind and rough blue waters to the small hidden lake dubbed the “Dead Sea” for its salt content.
I dipped into the freezing water early on, knowing I wanted to dry off in the sun before too many more people showed up. It was a surreal experience. The high salt content makes it hard for vegetation and fish to survive, but the buoyancy was something I had never experienced before.
And when I stumbled upon a cozy nook behind the monastery, you bet I kicked back with a cocktail, soaking in the island vibes.
If you ever find yourself in Dubrovnik, I can confirm that Lukrum truly is a must-visit. Trust me, it’s worth the sprint to catch that ferry!
Dubrovnik
My last night in Croatia was perfect.
After a day full of activities, my Airbnb host caught me coming back in. She insisted I come down to her home to share a drink and some crepes.
We chatted about her life there, about how ingrained her family is in the community. She showed me an album of her granddaughter’s wedding full of beautiful photographs. I marvelled at the work and sipped on her homemade maraschino.
She bugged her grandson to make me crepes and no matter how much I protested, they both insisted. I ended the night at the small bar across from my stay and sipped on cocktails while procrastinating packing.
It was a great way to end my trip before I was off to France bright and early.