Arrived in Dubrovnik in the late afternoon and after the peace and tranquillity of Kotor Bay we felt the crowds in the city were too much to handle. Headed up to the cable car to get an overview of this city and we could not have timed it better......right on sunset. Cannot wait to further explore this city tomorrow.

Dubrovnik has a total population of approximately 45,000 and in 1979 joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Dubrovnik is regarded as one of the best preserved medieval walled cities in the world. One of the best ways to get a feeling for Dubrovnik is to take a 2km walk around the city walls. Look south and be dazzled by the Adriatic Sea, strewn with islands. Gaze north and view the dramatic, jagged mountains that form Croatia's border. To the east you can see Cavtat and Montenegro; to the west are the Elaphiti islands. As you walk around the city gaze down and Dubrovnik's rust-coloured roofs glint in the sun. The experience is unforgettable and should be a "must do" for everyone who can walk the distance and negotiate the stairs.

A walking tour of the Old Town is truly the only way to appreciate this wonderful place. Begin your walk at Pile Gate where you cross over a drawbridge that was raised every night to ensure the safety of inhabitants. You then walk through two massive doors (through the ancient wall), the external door in a Renaissance style and a Gothic interior door topped by the statue of St Blaise who is the patron saint of Dubrovnik.

As you enter the first sight you see on the left is the circular Onofrio Fountain built in the 15th century and sporting 16 carved masks. On the right are the Franciscan Monastery which houses the pharmacy which has been continuously operating since 1317 and the 16th century Church of St Saviour which is one of the few Renaissance buildings to survive the 1667 earthquake.

Straight ahead is the town's main street, Placa (pronounced "platsa") or Stradun which is lined with shops and cafes and is where all processions and parades take place. Law decreed that all building were to look alike with shops on the ground floor, bedrooms on the first floor, living rooms on the second floor and kitchens on the third floor.Walk to the end of the Placa which is punctuated by the clock tower at the end. The clock tower contains a gold ball which shows the phases of the moon and the time only changes every 5 minutes. Next to the Clock Tower is the Little Onofrio fountain, a Renaissance gem that was badly damaged in the war but has since been wonderfully restored.

In front of the clock tower there is a square which hosts a market during the weekend day where locals dress up in costumes from their local area and sell homemade produce. Surrounding the square are many significant buildings and monuments including Sponza Palace - a renaissance highlight which now houses the customs office. Church of St Blaise, an ornate 18th century church with a statue of St Blaise holding a model of Dubrovnik in his hand. The Orlando Column across from the church was carved in 1417 and has been a popular meeting place for almost six centuries as well as using his arm as a formal measurement. Rectors Palace, a renaissance building constructed in the 15th century for Dubrovnik's ruler, who held office for one month on a revolving basis and was not allowed to leave during his term of office.

Across the square is Dubrovnik's baroque Catholic Cathedral of our Lady which was built in the 18th century after an earthquake destroyed the original. The ornate interior is a sight to behold and I only hope my photos demonstrate the beauty. Just around the corner of the square is the 16th century Dominican Monastery with a beautiful cloister dedicated to St Sebastian. Exit the old city via the Ploce Gate. To the left of this gate is the walkway up to the cable car.

This walk through only gives you the highlights of the Old Town and there are many, many other sights to find as you meander up and down the narrow alleyways. I loved the "feel" of this city and would love to return again to further explore all it has to offer.

Tonight we are dining with the Cruise Director aboard ship as we say farewell to Dubrovnik.......