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Dubrovnik - Walk the Wall of the Old City
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Northern Italy by Land & Med Cruise 2011 with Phil & Carol Swartz
September 23, 2011 | It's easy to see why this would be an easy place to defend.
| When you spend some time in with people of Croatia, you realize that you can only partially appreciate what these people went through during their war of independence in the early 1990's. Today, 20 years later, they have recovered from the destruction and restored their beautiful towns and historical attractions. They are a tall, olive skinned, beautifully elegant and gracious people. Tourism has returned and the Croatians are glad for the opportunity to share their history and hospitality with travelers. The Old City is a UNESCO World Heritage Monument and is surrounded by 2 walls put up in anticipation of invasion. The Old City remains much as it was when it was founded as a merchant republic over 700 years ago. It is rich in history, architectural beauty, and abounds in restaurants and high-end shops. It is still inhabited by modern Croatians and other people of Slavic background today. It is unbelievably impressive.
| We visited a Folklore presentation put on by some of the youth of the area. For 30 minutes we enjoyed folk dances and music (voice and instrumental) of their heritage. Normally, these kinds of things can bore those who have little interest in culture, but we were surprised at how good the dancers were and their several changes in beautiful costumes and the talent of the musicians. So glad we saw this. The boys and girls were teen aged and in their 20's and very professional. What a treat!
| Colorful costumes in the local folkloric show
| | Along the harbor front in Cavtat, Croatia
| Croatia's Dalmatian Coast is gorgeous, dotted with over 1000 islands! Most of them are too small to be inhabited. The coastal resorts like Cavtat (pronounced Savtat) are highly prized by the wealthy, such as Bill Gates, famous movie stars and business tycoons. The mega-rich seek the seaside resorts for peace and quiet and their famous hospitality. I've never seen so many mega-yachts other than in Fort Lauderdale or Monte Carlo. We saw one pulling out to go to the next port - huge, silvery thing with who knows who inside. It was fun to imagine who the occupants must be while enjoying an Orangelina at a waterside cafe.
| The harbor as seen from the old city wall  | Holiday Cruises & Tours
2522 Capital Circle NE Ste 14
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Tags: Phil Swartz Holiday Cruises And Tours Dubrovnik Croatia
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