Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is known as the Jewel of the Adriatic, this is one of the great walled cities of the world.

The massive stone curtain surrounding the town rises as high as 82 feet and is more than 6,000 feet long. There are 10 semicircular bastions and two pocket fortresses guarding the flanks. It's possible to walk the entire way around on top of the walls that date back to the 10th Century, but it's no easy task and involves lots of stair climbing. Below, the buildings within the walls date mostly to the late 1600s. The center of town is a wide, marble street, Placa, lined with outdoor cafes and shops. Even though Dubrovnik is traffic free, when the cruise ships are in, the town can be maddeningly crowded. Better to avoid the mid-day crush by taking a water taxi across the bay to Cavtat, an attractive Mediterranean resort with an old stone harbor lined with rustling palm trees and outdoor cafes. It's like an undiscovered Saint Tropez. The calm waters in the bay mean that you can enjoy a relaxing waterside lunch with the sea practically lapping at your feet and return to Dubrovnik in mid-afternoon when the cruise ships move on. At night, the marble streets glow with a sheen that makes it look like it has just rained, while the towering walls are lit from dramatic angles. During the civil war in 1991-1992, Dubrovnik was hit by more than 2,000 shells and guided missiles, which damaged the roofs in 68% of the 824 historic buildings in old town. A war museum has fascinating photos from this time, while maps located throughout the city show the location of where every shell hit. All of the damage has been repaired, but it's easy to spot the new roofs. It's an amazing thing to see photos of the main street burning just 15 years ago, then step outside to see lines of people at the gelato stands. From here, it's a spectacular drive along the coast back to Split. As part of the peace settlement, Bosnia obtained a 15 km stretch of the coast so you'll have to drive through Bosnia, but tourists are waved right through. A highlight along the coast are the tiny villages of Ston and Mali Ston, known for their oyster beds and more than a dozen seafood restaurants. Photo's of Dubrovnik and its wall the Pila Gate side, the main Stradun with all its glorious cafes and assorted boutiques.