Oct 24 – Dubrovnik, Croatia

Weather – 19º, partly

Steps – 8,299

wine train

Croatia (pop 4 mil) is a beautiful country. Mountains and the sea, vineyards and olive groves…lovely.

This is our third visit to Dubrovnik, so we chose a tour a bit off the beaten path – a half day of Croatian wine and olive oil tasting. The tour was titled Konavale Wine Train: “Ride a mini-train between several of the most prestigious wineries in the Konavle Valley and enjoy a tasting at each one” We did board a tiny tourist train that ferried us between 2 stops, but it was more gimmicky than necessary. The distance before the last stop was about 200m – we could have walked faster.

pomegranate tree

Anyway…I’m not pooping on the attempt at charm. I am pooping a bit on the puny wine pours. We’ve done innumerable wine tours, and I can count on one hand the times when we’ve left thirsty…today can be added to that list. I’m certainly not trying to up my alcohol intake, but a wine tour with tiny pours of wine, can hardly be called a wine tour.

Anyway, the weather forecast was iffy, so we wore pants, a hoodie, and brought a rain jacket. The jacket was not required, but I was glad to have the hoodie.

We were back on a bus for the 45 min ride to Konavle wine region – there were only about 25 of us on the tour, so Chris and I both had our own seats. On the ride back, Chris

grain mill

had to find a new seat as someone took his. The culture

textile mill

of bus trips is that the seat you claim first thing, is yours for the duration of the day. Throughout the day, if there are open seats people move around, but not into one previously occupied. I guess this woman didn’t get the memo. There were other open seats, and Chris didn’t make a stink, but I clearly told her that seat she was in is occupado, she made an attempt to move, but Chris told her not to bother.

The day consisted of visiting 2 wineries, 1 grain/textile mill, and one winery/olive oil mill.

We had actually visited the grain/textile mill when we were here 10 years ago. We

admiring the view

suspected as much when we booked the tour but were certain when we arrived. I wasn’t sad about that because it is one of the most charming places I’ve ever visited…

EVER! I told Chris I’d like to move here, exactly here to the mill, in the woods, I don’t think he took me seriously!

local snacks

Turistički obrt "Mlin" (Konavle, Dubrovnik Region) is a system of eight watermills for flour and for oil. We had a snack of dried and candied fruit (no wine, but none was promised.) Then we watched a demo of the mill and wandered through the forest along the Ljuta River which is not wide, but crystal clear and flowing over a series of waterfalls. I remember when we were here before it was very hot and I sat with my feet in the water…not today.

This place is extremely charming with tall trees providing shady coziness with the rushing water delivering the soundtrack. Today we

explaining their 13.5% rose

followed the guide through the woods, the last time we were given a glass of wine and encouraged to wander on our own. Today was lovely, but a wander alone with a wine was divine!

 

 We next visited the Brajkovic family vineyard to taste 3 wines - white, red, dessert and an olive oil. Then we tasted a rosé, liqueurs and a lemon cake.

I think the best part of today was the scenery.

We had planned to visit Dubrovnik’s walled old city after the tour - that wasn’t to be. The ship is not docked within walking distance – the ship provides a shuttle, but it was about to rain even without the rain, it wasn’t warm.

olive trees everywhere

We opted for lunch at the pool, and the rest of the afternoon on our balcony (me) the room (Chris) with a boozy coffee, a French coffee with cognac, Grande Marnier and whipped cream (me) and a coffee Nelson with Baileys, Frangelico and whipped cream (Chris). We

Chris and the ship

made the right decision to not go into town as around 4:00 it started to pour – I loved being on the balcony, under just enough cover to enjoy the rain, without getting wet.

not a bad place to blog

We opted for dinner tonight at the ship’s Italian restaurant – Sette Mari. This is the buffet restaurant that changes to Italian at night - al a carte main courses and buffet appetizers. They also bring antipasti to your table. We have learned from experience that you leave this place completely stuffed, so take it easy! Easier said than done.

beautiful new bridge post rain

It is nice that Regent posts the daily lunch and dinner menus on the TV, so you can
decide where you’d like to eat. There really is only the Compass Rose (main dining room) or Sette Mare – the other restaurants are by reservation. There is the pool grill also at night, which is new for Regent, but that’s a bit too casual for us.

WOAH!

The show tonight was “Women of Rock” by the ship’s entertainment team. It sounded appealing and we weren’t getting up early tomorrow – what wasn’t appealing was the trio of ladies who decided tonight’s show was a good time to have a conversation, we were too far away to say anything, but not far enough away not to hear them – I was

the moon watched our sail away

surprised at how many people who were obviously disturbed by them and didn’t say anything…not even one.

This part of Europe is changing clocks tonight, so we gained an hour of sleep!!!