Our free day in Dubrovnik in 2017 had everything: the city walls in the heat, lemon sorbet breaks, Mount Srđ views, fig pizza in a quiet alley, and a sunset walk along Lapad’s rocky coastline near our hotel.

Dubrovnik was our next stop after Split in 2017. Over two days, we explored the UNESCO-listed Old Town, walked the Stradun, and found the famous staircase that made it feel instantly familiar. I loved the quieter little streets most, and I still remember the lemon sorbet being the best of the trip.

Gloomy skies, slippery boardwalks, and crowds you couldn’t linger behind, but Plitvice Lakes was still stunning. Shuttle at the start, ferry at the end, and views worth it.