http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/ Welcome to Been there. Your tips on the places you know - that you love, live in or have just visited - are what make this guide. http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18949 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18949 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18206
Zaton has several fine restaurants. It offers possibilities for watersports. An interesting walk uphill to the village of Podbrezje is highly recommended (4.5 km), to visit Mociljska Cave with stalactites and stalagmites.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/18206 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17332
The hotel itself is like something from an old James Bond film with its lift to the private beach below built into the rock face.

The cocktails served in Vapor's bar are something quite special. The terrace is split in two with Vapor on one side and the other side being home to one of the best restaurants in Dubrovnik. The terrace has a wonderful view out over the Adriatic where you can sip your cocktail while watching a whole variety of craft from tall Pirates of The Caribbean ships to little island-hopping taxis moving in and out of Dubrovnik harbour framed by a glorious sunset.

The Adriatic's most friendly barman made us the perfect Vodka Martinis and told us tales of having to fight in the Balkan war and then finding work on a cruise ship where he learned the art of perfect mixing. My boyfriend and I spent a magical evening sipping amazing cocktails and watching the moonlight dance over the Adriatic. Bliss!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17332 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17219 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/17219 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16868
I recommend it for 1) Its walking trails. You could walk for days and never take the same trail twice, and 2) Its beauty. The blues and greens of the trees, sky, and water are more vibrant than you'll find elsewhere.

Trip report and photos: shallowmusings.typepad.com/travel_musings/]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16868 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16860 shallowmusings.typepad.com/travel_musings/]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/16860 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13794 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13794 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13551
In Dubrovnik we spent two nights in a private home with a shared bath. On the second day we sat in a cafe within the city walls and had a beer and talked to a waiter. His cousin had an apartment for rent. We viewed it and moved in the next day and stayed six days.

These two apartments cost us about £30 a night in September. Rooms in homes were less, of course.

September is a very good time to go because it is not overly crowded nor too warm and prices have gone down a bit.

When traveling in Croatia, forget the guide books. Follow your senses; follow your instincts.

We rented cars, a boat, walked. We were always met with interest and kindness, especially when spending money for food and drink.

There is only one thing a traveller to this country needs to consider: the main industry is tourism. It has made very few people rich. Take care where you go. Our last night in Split we walked into the new part of town and turned down accommodation there because I felt unsafe. Fortunately we knew of another place in the old part and stayed there and I slept like a baby.

I think of Croatia often and would love to go again. I believe there is something there for everyone.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13551 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13240
Also they don't tout down the main drag!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13240 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13221 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13221 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13098
The rooms are large, bright and airy, the location is superb and Marc is a wonderful host.

It's far cheaper than the hotel options for staying in the old town too.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/13098 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12587
It's all very basic, with plastic cups and chemical toilets, but it's so worth it for the view and the atmosphere.

There's two Buzas (the name means 'hole in the wall', I think) but Buza 1 seemed to be closed when we were there.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12587 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12073
Pile Bay-Old Town is very romantic. We stayed there at apartments near Fort Lovrijenac. The price was OK and location perfect (only 70 m from magnificent Placa-Stradun). Nevertheless, the location was quiet.

The staff were obliging and rooms clean. Another hot tip is the wonderful fish restaurant Orhan near apartments at small idilic Pile harbour.

I recommend visiting Dubrovnik a thousand times!]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/12073 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11262 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/11262 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9707 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9707 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9433 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9433 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9431 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/9431 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8160
Caffe Bar Talir prides itself on the fact it was one of three places that remained open throughout the Serbs' 1991 siege of the city and is nowhere near as commercial as the Troubadour Jazz Cafe now (sponsored by T-Mobile!)]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8160 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8157
The grilled squid seem to be twice the size of anywhere else and unbelievably succulent, all beautifully presented and dripping in garlic-infused olive oil. The lobster carpaccio is an unusual dish worth trying there too. What the restaurant lacks in views it certainly makes up for in atmosphere. Sippng an ice-cold Istra bitter (like Campari), your bare feet cooled by the marble pavement, watching people file past is a nice way to start your evening.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8157 http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8149
The village of Cavtat  was a friendly place, with regular buses to Dubrovnik.]]> http://www.ivebeenthere.co.uk/tips/8149