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T R A V E L
ESCAPE Routes
Soak up some culture in Dubrovnik
It’s not often you come across a city
that looks as if it’s been left completely
untouched since the 13th century, but
Croatia’s Dubrovnik is exactly that.
Put simply, it’s a historical gem sitting
pretty on the tip of a stunning,
clear-blue coastline.
Described by Lord Byron as “the
pearl of the Adriatic”, and George
Bernard Shaw as “paradise on earth”
(Stylist nods in agreement), Dubrovnik
and its 1,940 metre-walled old town
combines culture with all the luxuries
you want from a summer break: a
wealth of delicious seafood, chic boat
trips and miles of deep blue sea.
Stylist recommends a week-long
jaunt to really enjoy Dubrovnik’s rich
history… and to relax in its
idyllic surroundings. We
started our journey by
checking in at the very grand
and very elegant Excelsior
Hotel & Spa, situated on the
seafront. A full-bodied bottle
of Croatian red, left as a
welcome gift in our room, was
topped off with an exquisite
view from the balcony. We spent our
first evening in the hotel’s seafood
restaurant Prora. The sound of the
waves lapping on the beach while we
ate gilt-head bream on a bed of
asparagus was truly idyllic.
For a more boutique experience, we
moved on to Hotel Bellevue which has
its own beach (the seawater is crystal
clear – perfect for an invigorating dip).
For those avoiding the scorching
midday sun (it can reach temperatures
of 38ºC in June/July, the hotel’s
Comfort Zone Space Spa is a tranquil
place to relax.
Why it’s hot As well as top notch
sunbathing opportunities, Dubrovnik is
NEED TO SWIM. NOW!
a cultural treat. An exploration of
the old town is essential. The early
18th-century Dubrovnik Cathedral
is also fantastic as it houses a rich
treasury of relics and paintings,
including Titian’s 1552 The Assumption
Of The Virgin Mary.
Dubrovnik is also a great base to
explore the many islands dotted round
the coastline. Stylist recommends
taking a boat trip to the sleepy island
of Sipan where an alfresco lunch at
acclaimed restaurant More will prepare
you for an afternoon of sailing on the
Adriatic waters.
Eating and drinking There’s only one
thing to eat here: seafood. So if you’re
a fish lover you’ll be in heaven.
Try Hotel Bellevue’s restaurant,
Vapor, for the grouper with
asparagus and tomatoes
(the best meal of our trip)
or the authentic Dalmatian
restaurant Proto in the old
town, for a delectable sea
bream. For drinks, head out to
the old town at night. Unlike
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BEDTIME BLISS AT
EXCELSIOR HOTEL
THE VIEW FROM
HOTEL BELLEVUE
the day, there are no crowds and
the cool evening sea breeze is a
welcome break from the heat. Head
to the discreet Buza bar which sums
up the relaxed nightlife of Dubrovnik.
Sitting on the cliff face, the bar is
accessible through a hole in the wall
marked with a wooden ‘cold drinks’
sign (if all else fails, ask a local). Once
you’re in, sit back, relax, listen to a spot
of Sinatra and drink in the gorgeous
sunset. It really is a fabulous find.
Photo opportunity The view from
the Excelsior Hotel’s balcony is hard to
beat. Not only can you see the
sea and its surrounding islands, but
take a glance to the right and you’ll
spy the picturesque old town.
Rooms at Excelsior Hotel & Spa start
at £233 per night, high season; £105 low
season * . Rooms at Hotel Bellevue start at
£196 per night, high season; £87 low season.
To book, visit alh.hr. Flights on easyJet
(easyjet.com) start from £70.99 one-way **
and depart from Liverpool, London
Gatwick and Stansted
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