The millennium-old walled city, Byron's 'Pearl of the Adriatic' with its honey-stoned buildings, terracotta roofs and cobbled streets has been fully restored to pearly perfection after its wartime pounding. Built by the Venetians, Dubrovnik gives easy access to a choice of islands just a short ferry hop away. 
Recommended tour operator: Exeter International
Exeter International says
The magnificent walled city of Dubrovnik is one of the gems of southern Europe. It’s a small, compact place packed with history and charm that can easily be explored in a couple of days.
Badly damaged in the Balkan wars, Dubrovnik has been beautifully restored, complete with its distinctive terracotta roofs and polished stone cobbles. Traffic is banned from the centre of the old town and tight planning controls ensure that it is protected from ugly modern development. It has been awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO.
Dubrovnik’s location on the shores of the Adriatic is superb, and its surrounding pebble beaches are lapped by limpid turquoise seas. In the small harbour, fishing boats jostle for space with local ferries taking foot passengers to the nearby islands.
The ideal times to travel are from April to June and September to October. This means you make the most of the superb climate, and avoid the peak-season crush of cruise ship passengers.
The key to doing Dubrovnik successfully is to choose the right hotel. We recommend the seafront Hotel Bellevue, a stylish and well-appointed bolthole with its own private beach.
Exeter International is a specialist tour operator offering private travel throughout Croatia and Eastern Europe, all tailored to your specific interests, travel dates and hotel choices.
Find out more about short breaks to Dubrovnik.
