Posts by Antonio Markoni:

As I traveled the world for years because of work and talking to people when they ask me where is Croatia, who are Croats, I realized that many people do not know about Croatia and Croatians, so I decided to bring you closer to Croatia.

It is quite normal that many people have never heard of Croatia because Croatia is a small country where lives only about 4.5 million people and therefore has less population than some central city in America. What you did not know is that Croatia has a very rich history that has 1246 islands, 8 national parks, 11 nature parks, that has 50 sites of the Stone Age or what certainly did not know that the Croatians invented the tie which today dressed all people of the world, every day.,. You’ve all heard of Nikola Tesla, somebody by electric Tesla cars, and somebody by a man to whom we owe what we have electricity in our homes, that we have cell phones, television, Instagram, twitter and facebook. Nikola Tesla was born in Smiljan, Croatia and after schooling he went to work in America, where he achieved all inventions.

You probably have not heard of him but you will certainly hear in the coming years for Marin Soljačić which is 2007 years successfully performed the experiment of wireless energy transfer on the American Massachusetts Institute of Technology. So my friends, a little more and we’ll forget the cables in our homes to power mobile phones, laptops and other devices.

Now a bit of tourism in Croatia. Tourism in Croatia dates back to the distant 1850, so today Croatia has become one of the tourist top destinations in the world. I’ll write for you just a few awards that were given to Croatia. Lonely Planet declared Croatia the best tourist destination in 2005, and National Geographic Adventure award Croatia the best tourist destination in 2006. Travel Leaders, a leading company for the sale of travel in America, declared Croatia for international top destination for the area of Europe for 2012.godinu.By the analysis of Google data where people from 80 countries voted where they will like to spend their vacation, the highest percentage is obtained Croatia, thus has become the most desirable country for a vacation in the world for 2015 and 2016.

I think that I don’t need to write more  about Croatia, but it’s time for you to start making plans for a vacation in Croatia to visit Dubrovnik, our tourist top destination, to visit our islands, parks and to feel  the magic of Croatia which will forever remain in your hearts .

Planning vacation in Dubrovnik? Tips and recommendations

Dubrovnik is very popular among young tourists lately because Game of Thrones and Star Wars was filmed here. In February start filming new blockbuster Robin Hood. Dubrovnik is a top destination in Croatia and one of the top destinations in Europe so whoever came in Dubrovnik is amazed with a city so it’s a true, it is really amazing city.

My name is Antonio and I started this blog to help tourist with some tips, recommendations and information’s about Dubrovnik. I am born in Dubrovnik, living all my life here and working in tourism. From my experience as a local guy I will give you some tips if you are planning to visit Dubrovnik and Croatia. On internet you will find many information about Dubrovnik history but not so much tips how to save the money here, the best area to rent apartment or where to eat delicious food for reasonable money (like locals).

If you are a student and planning a trip to Dubrovnik do not forget your ISIC (International Student Identity Card). With that card you can get huge discount almost everywhere, when you are buying a plane ticket to Croatia, bus ticket inside the Croatia, museums, tourist attractions, national parks and many more places. Take your card with you and check which company offering discount when buying a plane or bus ticket. In Dubrovnik you can get huge discount on many tourist attractions with Dubrovnik card but also with your ISIC card somewhere you can get even more so depends what you want to visit in Dubrovnik check is it better to buy Dubrovnik card or use your ISIC, all this you can check in all tourist info centers.

DUBROVNIK CARD which I can recommend to everybody, it provides the card holder with a number of discounts and significant savings in money. Depending how long you will stay in Dubrovnik, you can buy a card for 1, 3 or 7 days. Dubrovnik card allowing entry into 10 cultural-historical monuments, 9 top attractions of Dubrovnik, and 1 gallery in Cavtat also you get discounts in specially designated restaurants, stores, souvenir shops, jewelry shops and tourist agencies and free buses throughout the city of Dubrovnik. If you are planning to visit only two attractions you will already same the money buying Dubrovnik card. If you buy it online you will get 10% discount.

RENTING APARTMENT in Dubrovnik is not so easy. There is thousands apartments in Dubrovnik and you need to choose one but which one? At the end you need a clean place to sleep, a place where you can cook something, not too expensive and that is close to the beach, bars, grocery shop and main attractions. Which part of the city to choose is always the problem but I will try to help you.
Dubrovnik old town is called the center of the city but if you like to walk you can walk from one side of the city to other side of Dubrovnik in 40 minutes so you do not need to choose the apartment in the center.
First of all, Dubrovnik is a small city so from one to the other side of town you can come in one hour walking and you are probably thinking, wherever I take apartment will be good but temperature and humidity in Dubrovnik during the summer is very high so you need apartment that will most suit you (beach, attractions, night life, bars, restaurants, etc.).

The number one location in the city is Lapad (Babin kuk). Lapad is quiet, touristic area with many beaches, bars, restaurants, grocery shops, etc. Lapad is only 5-10 minutes away by bus from the Old town and bus are leaving every 15 minutes. I will recommend it to everybody ( younger, older, couples, families) for shorter or longer vacation.

Old town is a second choice, I will recommend you if you are younger (night life) or you came in Dubrovnik for a day or two. Apartments in old town are 50 % more expensive than in the rest of the city.

Third place is Ploce, beautiful view on Old city, close to the old city but there are only one or two small grocery shops and only two crowded beaches.
Gruz is the worst part of the city since there is no any beach there and wherever you want to go you need to go with a car or bus. The closest beach is in Lapad.

Regarding apartment price, as I said before the most expensive are in old city. Other locations in the city are mostly the same, depends on the location of the apartment (how far from the beach) and quality of apartment.
From my point of view Lapad (Babin Kuk) is the best location to rent apartment in the city.
In Dubrovnik we really like to eat and we have many restaurants. As everywhere some are good and some not so good. It is always good to check tripadvisor rating but you need to know that it is better to eat outside the old city. You have good restaurants there but restaurants there are the most expensive and mostly you are paying location not quality.
My advice is to ask your host where to find a good restaurant close to apartment. In Lapad Restaurant Pantarul (no.1 on trip advisor) is really good, also Restaurant Lapad (good quality of food) and fish Restaurant Orsan in Lapad have always fresh fish and I can recommend it to you. Also you need to know that in Dubrovnik and Croatia fish is more expensive than meat and try our wine, you will be surprised. Enjoy!
I hope that I help you and I am 100% sure that you will enjoy it here. I am already three years in renting apartment business and I did not have a single unhappy guest.

  1. Great location, near the beach, the best part of the city in the opinion of our previous guests
  2. New,modern apartments with a kitchen and all amenities you will need
  3. We are also listed on popular sites like tripadvisor,homeaway,airbnb..etc but here you can book without booking fees and save 150-200 euros.
  4. Private free parking
  5. Fast wifi internet
  6. Cabel led tv
  7. Large private terrace
  8. Air condition
  9. We will make a brief tour of the surrounding area where you will be familiar with the position of the beach, supermarket, bars, restaurants, pharmacies, banks, tourist info center, bus station etc ..
  10. The most important reason is that we care about our guests and want them to feel welcome and we want to make your stay very enjoyable and memorable.
Cavtat apartment

Apartment “View”

Welcome to apartment View situated in a small town Cavtat. Cavtat is the one of the most beautiful places on Croatian coast, winner of several prices as the most beautiful small town in Croatia.
What to tell you more about Cavtat, simply you need to see it, long promenade through pine trees, crystal clear sea, beautiful beaches, lots of bars and restaurants where you can enjoy in Mediterranean cuisine. There is also diving center (parasailing, water skiing, tube, banana, jet ski, etc.) and if you didn’t know bay in front of Cavtat underwater hide remains of one of the largest sites of ancient shipwreck in the Adriatic. If you want to see it we can organize tour with diving center for you.
In Cavtat you have all what you need, bank post office, pharmacy, doctor, shops, grocery stores…
Apartment is situated on a small hill above the old town of Cavtat,10 minutes walking from the center( old town),beaches,bars,restaurants.Grocery store is 50 meters from the apartment, doctor 50 meters from the apartment, football and basketball field 30 meters from the apartment.
Apartment is on very quiet and peaceful location where you will woke up with a bird song and enjoy in a stunning view from the large terrace. Apartment is tastefully decorated two bedrooms, living room, two bathrooms( one equipped with a large jacuzzi), fully equipped kitchen and large terrace. The apartment offers all the conveniences of home, including private parking, air conditioning, cable television and WiFi internet.
You can sit outside and enjoy the peace and quiet from your large, private terrace.
Dubrovnik is only 20 km away from Cavtat where you can go by bus or by the boat. Bus station is only 60 meters from the apartment and bus to Dubrovnik runs every 30 minutes. Come and enjoy.

Dubrovnik apartments

Apartment “Escape” “Nina”

We have two brand new,tastefully decorated one (1) bedroom,one (1) kitchen-dining room and one (1) bathroom apartments to offer that is centrally located to all the amenities you will need. Each apartment accommodates 4 guests. The apartment offers all the conveniences of home,including free private parking,air conditioning,cable led television, WiFi internet,washing machine and fully equipped kitchen. You can sit outside and enjoy the peace and quiet from your large,private terrace in the yard. The manicured grounds feature flowers,lemon and olive trees. Most Dubrovnik beaches are in Lapad. The apartment is within walking distance of the sea.In fact beaches,bars,restaurants,children’s playground,shopping,tennis courts,post office,bus station and pharmacy are all within 50 meters of your front door.You can walk everywhere in Lapad.Since it’s relatively compact you can stroll from the beach to a cafe-bar,restaurant and back to your apartment without breaking a sweat. Famous Old town is only five to ten (5-10) minutes away by bus. The bus runs every 10 minutes so getting into the Old Town of Dubrovnik is a breeze. Welcome to our Dubrovnik apartments.

Cavtat

Cavtat is a Croatian city with a long history. Founded by the Greeks in the fourth century BC under the name of Epidauros. The town changed its name to Epidaurum when it came under Roman rule in 228 BC. During the civil war between Julius Caesar and Pompey (49 BC), it lined up in favor of the former and was later besieged by Octavian, but was saved by the arrival of the consul. Later it became a Roman colonia and was occupied during the Gothic Wars by a fleet sent by the emperor Justinian (535-54 AD).

The city was sacked and destroyed by the Avars and Slavs in the 7th century. Refugees from Epidaurum fled to the nearby island, Laus (Ragusa) which over time evolved into the city of Dubrovnik.From that moment Cavtat was always under the control of powerful neighbour.
Some legends mention Cavtat as the darling of the gods, nature and people. Other legend connects the name of Cavtat with the old Croatian verb “captiti”, which means “to flourish” The modern Croatian name for the city reveals the ancient origin and the link with Dubrovnik: Cavtat is a derived from Civitas Vetus, the name by which the Dubrovnikans called their old city.
Today Cavtat, a small town by the sea, situated 18 km south from Dubrovnik. This is town of beautiful palaces, summer houses and apartments, mild climate, rich vegetation, gorgeous bays, the town of beautiful beaches (stony, rocky, concrete and sandy beaches)… Spending your holidays in Cavtat is great choice if you are looking for quiet oasis by the sea… You can enjoy walking, relaxing and enjoying your holidays in peace… special touch to the whole place gives a traditional life and preserved customs… Cavtat has 7 km long promenades through dense pine forest which will give you unforgettable moments of relaxation. Cavtat is a town that lives for tourism; therefore families as well as young people will find something for themselves here.
Every hour there is bus from Cavtat to Dubrovnik and also from Dubrovnik to Cavtat. It is bus number 10 and ticket price is about 3 euro. From Cavtat to Dubrovnik you can also go by boat which drives several times a day. This great connection is also the reason why Cavtat is so popular and gladly visited. Also, Cavtat is situated just 5 km from Dubrovnik airport.
There are more then 4 000 inhabitants and this number increases with tourists during the summer. There are many restaurants, bars, 3-4 markets, open market with fresh vegetables, post office, bank, tourist board, fitness centre, tennis courts, diving school, water sports and many other activities Cavtat can offer. It is favorable destination for families with children since it is offering nice beaches adapted for kids and it is very quiet and nice for kids there.
Also you can visit Mausoleum of the Racic family which holds many symbolisms of life, death and birth, as well as the three main stages of human destiny. It is a unique beauty that seems to sail above the sunny sea and pine, cypress and palm lines, like a white swan of eternity.
The birth House of Vlaho Bukovac, one of the most famous Croatian painters and the forefather of the Croatian modern painting. You can enjoy in beautiful architecture, garden space and the location in the very heart of the town.
Baltazar Bogisic Collection – Baltazar Bogisic was a jurist and a scientist of a European fame. In the Collection are deposited more than 35.000 different items.
St. Nicola’s Church Picture Gallery This valuable collection of paintings, sculptures and church liturgical pottery
In Cavtat you will also find well preserved Roman statues, such as the remnants of a theatre, old city walls, aqueduct, and a number of old palaces…

Lapad

If you looking for a perfect location in Dubrovnik to spend your vacations in peace and quiet environment, far from the city crowds, and also to have nearby all you need during your holidays, Lapad is the best choice for you. This part of Dubrovnik is situated 2-2.5 km from the Old Town. Great bus connections (bus number 6 runs every 10 minutes, the ride takes 5-10 minutes, ticket price is 12,00 kunas / 1,66 euro and it’s valid for an hour) makes Lapad one of the most famous parts of Dubrovnik.

Lapad is a small center where you have everything: post office, bank, pharmacy, hairdresser, many small shops and supermarkets, one large shopping center (DOC) and big children playground.. Also, there is a large beautiful walking area full of cafe bars and restaurants, at the end of which are many gorgeous beaches. You can walk everywhere in Lapad. Since it’s relatively compact you can stroll from the beach to a restaurant to your hotel to a cafe-bar without breaking a sweat. If you are in Dubrovnik with kids, they will love it because of the shallow sea and a water park that is set up during the summer!
In the part of Lapad called Babin Kuk you can enjoy in many sports activities such as volleyball, handball, tennis, and on Lapad there is also cinema Lapad and many restaurants. There is also one of the biggest and most beautiful beaches in Dubrovnik, Copacabana, bay of Lapad, beaches Neptun and President and nudist beach Cava.Beach near apartment called Uvala Lapad, is a sandy beach offering many things. If you just like to sit and enjoy the view there are a beach restaurant and coffee bars. For those who want to lie down and enjoy in the sun, easy chairs can be rented, and if it becomes to hot, beach umbrellas are for rent too. Next beach on your left side is the Adriatic beach than Vis beach,Splendid beach…
Except beautiful beaches, Lapad has many other attractive places. If you like playing beach volleyball or tennis there are many courts in Lapad on which these sports can be played. Courts are located on beaches or near them so you can refresh yourselves in the sea after playing.
Across the bay, on the opposite side of all these beaches there is a beautiful walkway for romantic and peaceful walks, connected to the before mentioned boulevard. It is a path which leads all around Lapad peninsula and that is probably the most beautiful path for walking in Dubrovnik. From this walkway, is an excellent view of all Sumratin bay beaches. Small island Daksa can also be seen.
If you are tired from walking, on this very walkway, near Villa Elita is a small and lovely restaurant with a a small coffee bar offering fish, shrimps, and other sea specialties.
Lapad is a perfect location for your Dubrovnik vacation.

Dubrovnik

Originally called Ragusa, the city was founded in the 7th century as a refuge for coastal residents fleeing the advancing barbarians. From the outset, the city was protected by defensive walls. The borderland status of the town was to be a determining factor in its history. Part of the Mediterranean cultural constellation, yet intimately connected to the Balkans. Catholic yet surrounded by Islamic and Orthodox neighbours.
The new city state used its status as a crossroads between cultures and civilisations. The city thrived through extensive trade with other maritime ports such as Genoa, Pisa and Venice. Its continental trade networks also extended its reach into the Balkans with the Ottoman Empire. At the beginning of the 13th century, Dubrovnik fell under control of the most Serene republic, staying under its control until 1358.
Towards the end of the Middle Ages, Dubrovnik’s maritime influence meant that it was the chief competitor of the Venetian empire for the Adriatic waterways. Its European educated diplomats and its widespread commerce allowed it to expand its influence beyond the Adriatic. Machiavelli was a notable luminary so impressed by the city that he applied to work there. City authorities were not impressed and turned him down.
Catastrophic earthquake
Dubrovnik’s ascent received a major blow in 1667 as a catastrophic earthquake destroyed a large amount of the Renaissance art and architecture in the city. The Sponza and the Rector’s palace were the only buildings that survived the natural disaster. The city was reconstructed in the baroque style that has survived intact until today. Despite the reconstruction, the decline of the Mediterranean as a hub for trade meant that Dubrovnik, like other Mediterranean ports, began a steady decline. By the time Napoleon arrived at the gates in 1806, the Republic of St Blaise was a shadow of itself.
The Congress system and Napoleon’s campaign had extinguished the last vestiges of the Republic. In 1815, like much of the eastern Adriatic coast, Dubrovnik became part of the Habsburg Empire, where it would remain until 1918.
The beginnings of tourism
The period of Austrian dominance saw the early beginnings of tourism. Lord Byron on his Grand Tour was said to have called Dubrovnik ‘the Pearl of the Adriatic’. Later, prominent authors like Bernard Shaw and Agatha Christie were dazzled by the perfectly preserved baroque oasis.
During the second Yugoslav period after 1945, the popularity of the city grew worldwide and millions marvelled at the medieval splendour. The importance of tourism meant that Dubrovnik was put on UNESCO’s world heritage list in 1979. This also meant that it was one of the few places in the former Yugoslavia that was demilitarised as the authorities felt that a military presence was incompatible with the development of tourism. The income from tourism allowed significant developments for the city infrastructure such as the airport.
Recent History
Due to its historic borderland status, Dubrovnik was significantly affected by the break-up of Yugoslavia. In the early 90s, Greater Serb aggression resulted in Dubrovnik suffering its most serious existential threat. Over two thirds of the historic town’s buildings were hit by artillery. The town’s cobbled streets were struck by hundreds of direct hits. For the first time in history, the medieval city walls themselves received over a hundred direct hits. Many historic palaces were badly damaged by the resulting fires. The renowned Sponza and Rector’s palace, St Blaise’s church, the Franciscan monastery and the Amerling and Onofrio fountain all suffered severely. The total reconstruction cost was said to be some $ 10 million.
The demilitarised status of Dubrovnik shows that the sole purpose of the siege that was to last until June 1992 was to damage the morale of the Croats during its war of independence. The shocking pictures of the siege on the world television screens and valiant resistance of the Croatian army resulted in the eventual withdrawal of the Serb Army. International organisation led by UNESCO helped organise a successful reconstruction effort meaning that today Dubrovnik is again back to its former splendour.
Lord Byron named it “the Pearl in the Adriatic” and Bernard Shaw said, “Those that seek paradise on earth should seek it in Dubrovnik”.

We spent 10 days at Antonio’s. The house is really nice and looks exactly as on the photos – very spacious, comfortable and fully equipped with all necessary things, such as kitchen utensils, washing machine and dishwashing machine.It is located walking distance from the city center, supermarket and several beaches. Antonio is the best host we could ever imagine – he met us at the airport and greeted us with fruits, homemade liquors and Bbq. He was very helpful and was always eager to answer all our questions. Cavtat is a very beautiful city, and Antonio’s hospitality and kindness made our stay truly amazing. We would stay here again for sure, and highly recommend Antonio as a host. Thank you very much, Antonio!

September,2015

Andrii from Ukraine

I have chosen this flat for it has offered a quiet and undisturbed stay, and I can say that it has fully lived up to what it had promised. The flat is presented at high standards, modern fitted, corresponding to the description by the host. It is conveniently close to all amenities, while it offers privacy and a pleasant ambience with a Dalmatian decor, including a patio/garden. Bus line 6 runs frequently, is reliable and inexpensive for a trip to Old Town, taking a short ride, while Lapad peninsula itself, where the flat is located, offers splendid sights, a selection of restaurants, a promenade, and walking opportunities along a scenic coastline. Apart from this environment, my special thanks go to my hosts Antonio and his father-in-law for delightful conversations, a very welcoming attitude, and for going the extra mile making my stay very enjoyable and memorable.

Josef from UK

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