We finished our summer vacation with a bang!

Dubrovnik was easily one of our favorite destinations, a majestic city surrounded by the glittering Adriatic Sea. Often called the “Pearl of the Adriatic,” this city has a history stretching back to the 7th century.

We took a bus from Mostar to Dubrovnik, a scenic four hour journey that wound along the coast before delivering us to our Airbnb in the afternoon. While it wasn’t located in the city center, it was within walking distance and felt like a tranquil retreat. The owners lived on the property and rented out a few rooms on the bottom floor. Because they lived there, the grounds were immaculate filled with lush greenery and small personal touches. They were also incredibly hospitable and the wife was Croatian and the husband American and they’d been living in Dubrovnik for decades. Funny enough, they used to live in the Bay Area, specifically in Rockridge, Oakland. What a small world!

Since we arrived in the late afternoon, we spent the rest of the day relaxing by the pool before dinner. We even had a little cat visitor who decided to keep us company.

While waiting for our taxi, I spotted a Shiba Inu (of course I had to say hello). That alone already made my evening.

Dinner that night was up in the hills so getting a taxi was a must. The views from up there were spectacular, a sea of tiny terracotta rooftops fading into the blue horizon.

I was especially excited for our meal at Konoba Dubrava, a Croatian restaurant specializing in one of their most traditional dishes: peka. Peka is one of Croatia’s oldest and most beloved cooking methods where meat, seafood, or vegetables are placed in a tray covered with a bell shaped iron lid and slow cooked under hot embers. The result is incredibly tender, smoky, and flavorful. Because it takes several hours to prepare, you have to preorder your dish when reserving your table. We went for the lamb peka, though the octopus and pork versions looked just as tempting.

Before heading to our table, our waiter took us into the kitchen where they were preparing all the different kinds of peka and boy was in hot in there.

We started with a light seafood platter of octopus salad, shrimp, and anchovies.

For some reason, our waiter wanted to take pictures of us during every dish which we found entertaining and hilarious especially since Tommaso and I aren’t the most outgoing or photogenic people. Once the main course arrived, he physically instructed us on how to pose and made us hold hands. The pictures are cringy but also amusing so I hope you get a good laugh at them!

The lamb peka was divine where the meat fell apart at the touch of a fork while the potatoes had soaked up all that rich, meaty flavor. Served with crusty bread and ajvar (a roasted red pepper spread), it was pure comfort food.

We finished our meal with two types of strudel: cherry and apple served with vanilla ice cream. Simple, rustic, and perfect.

The next day dawned bright and clear, perfect for a private boat tour of the Elaphiti Islands, a small archipelago just off the coast. These islands were once home to wealthy merchants who built summer villas there during the Republic’s golden age. Today they remain peaceful and beautiful, an escape from the bustle of the Old Town. The waters were warm and impossibly blue and we jumped in at every stop.

On Lopud Island, we wandered through narrow paths lined with stone houses before visiting the Franciscan Monastery, founded in 1483. Its quiet cloister and sea views made it feel like time had stopped.

We spent the rest of the afternoon exploring caves and swimming in hidden coves along the coastline. I couldn’t get over how clear the water was.

After our boat day, we freshened up and headed into the Old Town enclosed by its famous medieval walls. Walking through Dubrovnik feels like stepping back in time: marble streets, Gothic and Renaissance palaces, and Baroque churches framed by fortress towers.

While we had dinner reservations, we were so hungry so we went to the restaurant much earlier and they were luckily able to sit us. Kopun serves Croatian food but slightly elevated.

We started with a chickpea and seafood salad with anchovies, octopus, and vegetables tossed lightly in olive oil.

We got bibs for our main courses just in case we got dirty.

This traditional rich seafood stew had fish, mussels, and clams simmered in tomato sauce with capers and olives. It was full of depth and flavor with big chunks of polenta to soak up the sauce.

This was another traditional dish and the beef was tender and braised in a rich red wine sauce. The croquettes were crispy and added some texture to the braised dish.

Both main dishes were delicious!

Of course we had to give our friend some seafood treats…

We ended the meal with this chocolate almond cake with orange sauce. While we liked the cake, it was such a small slice for us dessert loving people…that only meant that we had to get a gelato on our way home. I highly recommend Peppino’s Gelato!

The following day started off bright and early as we had our day trip to Montenegro. Once arriving back in Dubrovnik, we just relaxed until it was dinner time. We went to Taj Mahal, a popular Bosnian restaurant which was one of our favorites during our trip.

I can never pass up burek…those flaky layers of phyllo stuffed with spinach and cheese are pure magic.

These juicy sausages were served with a mustardy sauce and roasted potatoes. Yum!

The meat patty was stuffed with oozing cheese and served with our favorite red pepper condiment, ajvar.

Hard to resist warm baklava with ice cream stuffed between the layers.

This dessert reminded me of panna cotta with its soft silky texture with a light rose flavored syrup.

Of course after dinner we wandered around the Old Town again.

Most people would probably think I’m crazy for getting gelato after a full dinner with dessert…don’t judge me I’m on vacation! This was another favorite local spot called Gianni where they also had stunning looking desserts which I didn’t try.

Our final morning in Dubrovnik started early once again. Determined to beat the sun, we set out to walk the city walls, a loop that encircles the entire Old Town. Built mainly in the 13th to 16th centuries, the walls were the city’s shield against pirates and rival empires. From the top, we could see terracotta rooftops tumbling toward the sea, a cinematic view. It usually takes about two hours to complete but we’re efficient so it took us around 45 minutes.

To cap off our stay, we rode the Dubrovnik Cable Car to the top of the mountain. From there, the city looked like a glowing jewel set against the endless blue of the sea. A view I’ll never forget.

Our farewell dinner at Restaurant 360 was the perfect finale. Exquisite food, impeccable service, and a terrace perched along the medieval walls overlooking the harbor. Watching the sun set over Dubrovnik as we savored our last meal of the trip was special.

Dubrovnik left a lasting impression, not just for its beauty but for its layers of history, resilience, and hospitality. We couldn’t have imagined a more spectacular ending to our summer travels.