In this article, I will highlight some of my experiences in the fascinating Adriatic region as our trip took us to Dubrovnik. I had heard a lot of Dubrovnik, in fact, famous writer George Bernard Shaw was known to have made a startling comparison between this region and a place we know as Heaven. Well, I'm not sure if it's really Heaven but given it's amazing landscape and surrounds, it might pass as a good likeness. This being my first mediterranean cruise, I wanted to head to a part of the world that would confirm some of the self made images I had conjured up of the region. Images not made up but images that had formed over time from all the information I had absorbed over the years.

There are few places in the world where there is harmony between man and nature. The clear waters of the Adriatic coupled with the natural features of the region surrounding Dubrovnik just wanted to make me melt away into the landscape and emerge only when I was ready. I guess when you are on a cruise schedule, time is limited and when the captain says it's time to go; it's time to go! When we docked in Dubrovnik, the skies were grey and threatening rain but it didn't dampen the sprits of most of the 942 passengers on board. This was the one and only shore excursion I had booked before we started the cruise and a little wet weather wasn't going to keep me ship bound.

Did You Know?

Famous English king Richard The Lionheart was once rescued in this region. Back in the 13th. century during medieval times, King Richard became stranded and after being rescued, was so grateful that he made quite a sizeable donation. The locals didn't waste any time and built a church.

Mediterranean Climate

There is something special about the mediterranean climate. When it's on song it's hard to beat. It wasn't quite on song in Dubrovnik but you sensed it was around you by absorbing the wonderful aromas of the surrounding vines, herbs and flowers. This cruise had been much to my liking up until this point and I considered my stop in Dubrovnik as the impending highlight. It didn't let me down. The walking trail we were led along gave us an appreciation of the amazing contrasts in the local geography. While there are no sandy beaches here, the pebble beaches which backed up against the imposing cliffs had us snapping furiously with our cameras. Here I was, in an area which on one hand seemed to stand still in time, yet, on the other, it somehow embraced progress at the same time.

I glanced out across the Adriatic from a cliff top and spotted our ship. This cruise could have ended now and I would have been satisfied. Dubrovnik was worth getting off the ship for. This famous city is world heritage listed and boasts some amazing architectural designs. Now it was time to head back and rejoin my Crystal cruise holiday ship but it was a struggle to return.

A mediterranean cruise is obviously a little different than cruising through the caribbean. If you have been concentrating on the latter and are ready for some cultural variety, then the mediterranean is the place to head to.