Villa holidays in Europe – changing dynamics
City breaks are taking over the way we travel. Instead of using up a whole 2 weeks of holiday every year going to one of our villas in Croatia, families are increasingly enjoying hopping over to the Mediterranean 3 or 4 times a year on city breaks. For a short trip, it doesn’t get much better than Dubrovnik. Apartments and villas here are ideal for a quick getaway, and the attractions will make sure you are super busy – if you want to be. This historic city ticks all the city break boxes, with fabulous food, weather and activities.
Discover the city’s history with Dubrovnik apartments
Wherever you stay in Croatia, accommodation is never far from interesting historical sites. This is no truer than in Dubrovnik which boasts of a proud history through the last millennium. The city was, from 1358 to 1808, known as the Republic of Ragusa, an impressive city-state which vied for influence on the Adriatic. The republic was a centre of culture in the region, and developed a distinctive identity despite Venetian influence. Key historical sites to see on Croatia villa holidays in the city are the Rector’s Palace and Dubrovnik Cathedral. Both buildings are located near the Old Port, and display the Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance elements which characterise the city’s architecture.
Food and wine on city breaks in Croatia
Like nearby Italy, Croatian cuisine is all about classic flavours and fresh ingredients. Staying in Dubrovnik accommodation, you will encounter many of the same dishes as you would staying in Croatian villas across the country. Food in Dalmatia is dominated by fresh fish and seafood which can be found in abundance in the coastal archipelagos. The seafood platter is always, therefore, a good option in Dubrovnik, although all manner of pasta dishes are available for more conservative eaters. In terms of wine, the selection is fantastic, with some of the best wines sourced locally and from Dalmatian islands Vis and Hvar.
Glorious weather and sandy beaches
Due its location in the far south of Croatia, Dubrovnik enjoys warm weather for much of the year. When travelling in the late spring and early autumn, it is not unusual for temperatures to hover in the 20s. Renting apartments in Dubrovnik in the peak season, families head to the sea to cool down after a day of exploring the old town. Luckily, Dubrovnik has a number of beaches to do just that. Banje Beach is the city’s main beach and is a short walk from Ploče Gate in the south-east of the city. If, however, you have stayed in Dalmatia before, and enjoy visiting island beaches from villas in Croatia, get the boat to nearby Lokrum Island and try out the beach there!
Walk through the old town
The most enchanting area of Dubrovnik is without doubt its extensive old town. This large area, enclosed by the city’s towering walls, is littered with medieval buildings and maintains an authentic character that few other European destinations can match. Rent Dubrovnik apartments or larger villas in Croatia outside the city and venture through the old town’s winding streets in search of secrets. At the town’s fulcrum, visitors will find a Baroque square lined with 17th century buildings that often hosts a market. Just off from the main square, holidaymakers can enjoy a large number of cafés and restaurants which are open from the breakfast to dinner.
Visit Lokrum island
Just a 10-minute ferry ride away from Dubrovnik harbour is the delightful island of Lokrum. Venturing to the island makes a fantastic day-trip from Dubrovnik accommodation, especially for nature-loving families who are looking for a break from the bustle of the city. Once on the island, the car free environment makes it feel quite remote, despite its proximity to Dubrovnik. Bring your swimming shorts and go for a paddle in the salt lake on the south of the island, or on one of the island’s beaches. For TV lovers, the special Game of Thrones exhibit lets visitors sit on the Iron Throne and is worth the trip from Croatian villas across the region.
Climb the city walls on Croatia villa holidays
To protect its liberty and growing wealth, the Republic of Ragusa built the imposing walls which encircle its old town. These days, families can walk along these preserved walls and enjoy wonderful views over the city and the sea. It can take a few hours to walk the whole length of the city walls, so most families just tackle small sections before returning to the cafés and restaurants below. If you are staying in Dubrovnik apartments in summer, make sure you bring plenty of sun cream up onto the walls as there is not much shade up above the city.
Go on the cable car
For even better views of the city than those available atop its walls, take the cable car up to the summit of Mount Srdj and see Dubrovnik from a new perspective. As the cable car rises up the mountain, the layout of the city unravels itself in magnificent fashion. A smart time to make the trip is just before sunset, but visiting from villas in Croatia during the day is also enjoyable. Whichever time you go, bring a picnic to enjoy once you are up there.
NOVASOL holiday homes in Croatia
NOVASOL has 11,000 villas in Croatia, in all shapes and sizes, and for all budgets. A family focus encourages us to work hard to ensure that all of our Croatian villas and European holiday rentals are of the highest quality and that we provide the best service to families. Renting Dubrovnik apartments, families can expect to be right in the thick of things with all the luxuries of a stellar city break. And, with lowest-price guarantee, you can be sure that our holiday homes cannot be found cheaper anywhere else.