travel
The Long Road to
Dalmatia
By Faron Sagebiel, MAK16
y Airbnb host appeared to escort arned that there is no free parking. ss than two minutes( even hidden
he“ Old City” UNESCO World Heri-, it’ s ideal for walking. If you are nothing but an anchor( and ticket downsides to Dubrovnik – it’ s a gaggles of tourists and everything ted. Also, be sure to tread carefully ways are Teflon slick from eons of
north to the antique and underapsac Peninsula. Ston was once one alt. To protect this treasure, a five uilt on the surrounding hills.
Amazingly, it is the longest fortress wall ever constructed in Europe. Today, Ston organizes an annual marathon that partially takes place on the wall. Mercifully, it’ s only the first four kilometers, and for you runners it’ s a unique chance to race along the rustic Dalmatian coast.
Following the race, I, in all my post-race grime, headed 45 kilometers south for my third town and final night in Croatia.
Along the way I stopped at the Dubrovnik police station to settle my parking ticket. After the snickers had subsided( still filthy and in my race gear) the Croat cops informed me that I couldn’ t pay my fine at the station( how silly of me!), I needed to pay at the post office( which was closed). By some miracle I didn’ t get another ticket while inside the station. Frustrated, filthy and feeble I continued to Cavtat. If I had only known about Cavtat earlier, I might have spent the entire 3 days there. It’ s a postcard-esque seaside town of 3,000 with just the right amount of tourist trappings and restaurants, but without the overbearing touristy-ness of Dubrovnik.
After a much-needed shower, I strolled down to the waterfront for some people-watching. A few cold Ozujskos( local beers) later I hit the postmarathon wall and drifted back to my room for the night. Luckily, one of the marathon swag items was a bottle of local wine. As I watched the sun set on my Dalmatian journey, I savored my wine while thinking what a strikingly cool place southern Dalmatia is( but next time I’ m taking the bus).
PS. You can pay parking tickets at the airport.
Spring 2013 – 37