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