Dubrovnik: Croatia, The Coast & A Holiday Worth Returning To

Destination: Dubrovnik, Croatia

Travel Consultant: Libby, Aspire Travel

Holiday Type: Personal Holiday / Coastal & Cultural Escape

Hotel: Valamar Lacroma, Lapad

A Croatian escape filled with sunshine, beautiful coastline, island adventures and plenty left to discover.

Libby has recently returned from a personal holiday to Dubrovnik, Croatia, and whilst this was very much her own holiday rather than a work trip, she has come home with plenty of first-hand experience that we know will be useful for our customers.

Dubrovnik has been on the holiday radar for years, and it’s easy to understand why. The combination of historic architecture, beautiful Adriatic coastline, islands, beaches, great food and that unmistakable Croatian atmosphere makes it a destination that can work in so many different ways.

For Libby, this trip was about experiencing Dubrovnik at a more relaxed pace, enjoying the hotel, exploring the surrounding area and getting out onto the water.

And she came home already thinking about what she would do next time.

Staying in Lapad

Libby stayed at Valamar Lacroma, located in Lapad, which is around a 13-minute bus or taxi journey from central Dubrovnik.

Lapad worked really well as a base because it gave her easy access to Dubrovnik whilst also offering a more relaxed environment away from the busiest parts of the city. There are restaurants, beaches and plenty to explore locally, so you don’t necessarily feel that you have to head into the Old Town every day.

One of the things Libby particularly enjoyed about the Valamar set-up was having access to six other Valamar hotels, all located next to each other.

That gives guests an enormous amount of choice during their stay. There are different pools, beaches and areas to explore, so even if you are staying for a week, there is plenty of opportunity to change things up and find somewhere different to spend the day.

It’s a good example of why choosing the right hotel and location can make such a difference to a holiday.

A different way to experience Dubrovnik

Anyone who knows Libby will know that she would usually lean towards an All Inclusive holiday!

This time, however, she chose Bed & Breakfast - and it turned out to be a really lovely change.

Dubrovnik has so much choice when it comes to eating out, with restaurants, bars and places to discover throughout the area. Rather than being tied to the hotel for every meal, having breakfast included and then heading out to find somewhere different for lunch or dinner gave her the freedom to experience more of the destination.

And that is one of the things that makes Dubrovnik so appealing.

You can make the holiday as relaxed or as adventurous as you want.

Spend the morning around the pool, head into Dubrovnik for the afternoon, find a restaurant overlooking the Adriatic in the evening, or simply spend the whole day doing very little.

There is plenty of choice.

Getting out onto the Adriatic

One of Libby’s favourite days was spent away from the resort altogether, taking a private boat with a skipper and exploring the coastline.

The day included stops at some beautiful swimming spots before heading across to Lopud, where she had time to explore the island and enjoy its sandy beach.

There is something very special about seeing this part of Croatia from the water. The coastline looks completely different, the water is incredibly clear and there are so many little bays and islands to discover.

Having a private boat and skipper also gives you much more freedom than simply joining a standard excursion. You can enjoy the journey at your own pace, stop for a swim and spend time exploring the places that appeal to you.

For Libby, it was one of the highlights of the trip.

And it is exactly the sort of experience that can be added to a Dubrovnik holiday to make it feel much more personal.

Dubrovnik for families

Although Dubrovnik can easily be seen as a couples or adult destination, there is plenty here for families too.

One of the biggest attractions of the Valamar area is Maro World, described as the largest kids' club on the Adriatic Sea.

For families, having somewhere that offers dedicated children's activities alongside pools, beaches and the wider resort facilities can make a huge difference.

It means the holiday doesn't have to be built entirely around sightseeing. Parents can have some time to relax whilst children have their own experiences and activities.

And then, when everyone is ready, there is the whole of Dubrovnik and the surrounding

coastline to explore together.

There is still so much left to see

Perhaps the best indication that Libby enjoyed Dubrovnik is the fact that she came home with a list of things she didn't manage to do.

The famous Dubrovnik city walls are still waiting for her, as is the cable car, which offers those incredible views across the Old Town and Adriatic.

She would also like to explore more of Croatia's vineyards, take ferries across to some of the surrounding islands and, next time, hire a car to see more of the country beyond Dubrovnik.

That is one of the great things about this part of Croatia.

You don't have to try and fit everything into one trip.

You can make Dubrovnik the centre of your holiday and simply enjoy the city and coastline, or you can use it as the starting point for a much wider Croatian adventure.

A few tips from Libby

Having experienced Dubrovnik personally, Libby has come home with a few practical tips that could make a real difference to anyone planning a trip.

One of the first is to download Uber before you arrive. The hotel quoted around £30 for a taxi into Dubrovnik, whilst the Uber Libby used was around £9. It's definitely worth checking the app before automatically taking a hotel taxi.

Comfortable shoes are another must. Dubrovnik is beautiful, but there are plenty of hills and steps, even around the hotel areas, so sensible footwear will make exploring much more enjoyable.

And if you're planning to spend time in the sea, take water shoes. The water itself is some of the clearest and most beautiful Libby has experienced, but parts of the coastline are rocky.

For food, her advice is simple: if there is a particular restaurant you really want to visit, book ahead. Popular restaurants can become busy, especially during peak periods.

And finally, don't automatically assume that Dubrovnik is going to be prohibitively expensive. There are certainly more expensive restaurants and experiences, but Libby was pleasantly surprised and didn't find eating out hugely different from what you might expect to pay for an average meal in the UK.

What makes Dubrovnik work so well?

What Libby really enjoyed was the variety.

One day could be spent relaxing around the hotel or on the beach. The next could involve exploring Dubrovnik, and another could be spent out on a private boat discovering the islands and swimming in the Adriatic.

You have history and culture, but you also have beaches and sunshine.

You have restaurants and nightlife, but you can also find quiet places to escape to.

You can keep things simple or build a much more experiential holiday around boat trips, island visits, vineyards, sightseeing and exploring further into Croatia.

That flexibility makes Dubrovnik a destination that can suit very different types of traveller.

Who is Dubrovnik right for?

For couples, there are beautiful hotels, romantic restaurants, boat trips, historic streets and plenty of opportunities to explore together.

For families, the resort facilities, beaches, pools and Maro World provide plenty to keep everyone entertained.

For travellers who love food, there is an enormous amount of choice, from relaxed local restaurants to more sophisticated dining experiences.

And for those who don't like sitting still for a week, there is plenty to keep you occupied, whether that's exploring the Old Town, heading out onto the water, visiting the islands or hiring a car and seeing more of Croatia.

It really is a destination where you can build the holiday around you.

Why personal travel matters

Libby's trip was a personal holiday, but it has given her something that we value enormously at Aspire Travel: first-hand experience.

She now knows what staying in Lapad feels like. She has experienced Valamar Lacroma and the wider Valamar resort area. She knows how easy it is to get into Dubrovnik, what the transport options are, what the coastline is like and what it feels like to spend a day exploring the islands by boat.

Those are the details that don't always come through in a brochure.

And they matter when you're choosing the right holiday.

Because the right hotel for one customer might not be right for another. Some people will want to be closer to the Old Town. Others will prefer a quieter resort location. Some will want All Inclusive, whilst others will love the freedom of Bed & Breakfast and eating out.

That is where first-hand experience helps us give better advice.

Would Libby go back?

Without a doubt.

There is still the city walls to walk, the cable car to take, vineyards to explore, islands to discover and more of Croatia to see by car.

And perhaps that's the biggest compliment you can give a destination.

You leave feeling that you've had a fantastic holiday - but you're already thinking about what you'll do differently next time.

Ready to discover Croatia?

Dubrovnik has the history, scenery and famous landmarks that have made it such a popular destination, but Libby's experience has shown just how much more there is beyond the obvious.

Beautiful coastline, clear Adriatic water, island adventures, great food, fantastic hotels and plenty of opportunities to explore at your own pace.

And now that Libby has experienced it personally, she can bring that knowledge back to Aspire Travel and use it to help our customers make the right choices for their own Croatian adventure.

Thinking about Croatia? Speak to Aspire Travel and let us help you create a holiday that works for you. 🇭🇷✈️ Enquire Today >>

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