00:00Yo soy Lili Douse y este es Gran Voyager.
00:05En esta serie voy a viajar el mundo para descubrir increíbles lugares
00:09de cultura, luxurias y aventuras.
00:13Aún el camino, me encuentro la gente,
00:16entro el sabor y experimento los momentos
00:19que hacen cada destino unforgettable.
00:27Perched on Croatia's Adriatic coast, Dubrovnik
00:31is a city of medieval walls, narrow stone streets
00:35and breathtaking sea views,
00:38where centuries of maritime history
00:40meet a vibrant modern Mediterranean spirit.
00:45Bok and welcome to Dubrovnik,
00:48situated on the crystal clear waters of the Adriatic
00:51this city has a lot to offer and more.
00:57Arriving in Dubrovnik,
00:59you're immediately struck by the beauty
01:01of one of Croatia's most captivating cities.
01:06Welcome to Dubrovnik.
01:08It is incredible to be here in Dubrovnik.
01:09It's one of the most beautiful cities I've ever seen.
01:12Thank you so much, it's my hometown.
01:13Standing beside us is St. Lawrence Fortress,
01:17one of Dubrovnik's most striking landmarks.
01:20Luxa leads me up the steps of this 37-meter-high fortress,
01:25once built to defend the city from attacks by sea.
01:29This fortress was built around the 13th century
01:33and it was expanding as the city was expanding
01:36and today it was used as a set for Game of Thrones.
01:42The viewpoint offers incredible views across the old town,
01:47giving us a glimpse of how Dubrovnik has evolved over the centuries,
01:51while the fortress has stood strong throughout it all.
01:57Just a short walk away is the entrance to the old city,
02:01featuring multiple gates, stone walls, a moat and a wooden drawbridge.
02:06We are now at Pile Gate, the western side of the city,
02:11a very popular, as you can see behind us.
02:14A few hundred years ago this was a ditch,
02:18something that you would use for defence.
02:21Did Dubrovnik get invaded many times with this amazing defence system?
02:25Yeah, it was. That's why it was here.
02:28It was a very, very strategic place
02:33and back in the time we were positioned perfectly
02:37and people wanted to take over this
02:40and that's why the investment in such a defensive structure.
02:44As we enter through the city walls,
02:47Dubrovnik's grandeur really begins to unfold around us.
02:51One of the first cities in Europe that had fresh water for their citizens was Dubrovnik.
02:59And when would this have been?
03:00This was just around 15th century, yeah.
03:04Still, a long time ago to think of building something like this for citizens.
03:08And public, you didn't need to pay anything.
03:11Walking along the historic streets,
03:14you can really feel the centuries of history woven into every corner of the city.
03:20Together, we climb the steps around the old town,
03:23stopping at incredible and unique viewpoints,
03:26as well as small cobbled streets.
03:29Finally, we head towards the harbour, the largest gate of Dubrovnik.
03:34The three arches that you see behind us
03:37was actually the shipyard back in the ages
03:39where the boats were moored and repaired
03:42and prepared for going outside on the water.
03:45And somehow the water is crystal clear when you have so many boats.
03:49We take care of it as much as we can. We really do.
03:55The Adriatic Sea is such an important part of Dubrovnik's story.
04:01And so, to discover it more, I'm embarking on a boat tour with Josco.
04:06Hi, Lily. Let's get you on the Elafili Islands,
04:09show you around the Blue Cave and some nice spots on Elafili Islands.
04:13It's hot today, so I'm ready to jump in the ocean.
04:16Yes. Let's get you on the boat.
04:17We set sail across the Adriatic, surrounded by breathtaking scenery,
04:23with Dubrovnik's historic coastline stretching out behind us.
04:27So, Lily, this is going to be our first stop.
04:30It's a cave which can be entered with a boat.
04:33I call it Green Cave because it's green inside.
04:35The greenish glow inside the cave is created when sunlight filters through the clear Adriatic water
04:43and reflects onto the walls.
04:46Next, we head to Loppet Island, stopping at an incredible swim spot en route.
04:53Usually, when we were kids, when you would come here, there would only be locals with boats
04:58because this beach is accessible only by boat.
05:02The turquoise water shimmers in the sunlight, creating the perfect spot to float and watch the world go by.
05:10Sadly, it's time to get back on the boat and continue our journey.
05:16Okay, Lily, so now we are on the Loppet Island.
05:20This is the second island of Elafili Islands.
05:22For me, the best one, and there's no traffic on the island, as you can see.
05:28It's such a magical island, filled with beautiful flowers and swaying palm trees.
05:34I could happily spend the day relaxing here, but there's still one more stop to discover.
05:40Finally, we head to the Blue Cave, a spectacular spot where we can jump straight from the boat
05:47into the crystal clear Adriatic.
05:49Over there, you have the entrance, so you need to swim inside the cave, which gets really blue
05:56because of the sunlight hitting the sand bottom.
05:58It's truly magical inside the cave, with the incredible light reflecting off the crystal clear water,
06:05making it the perfect place for a swim.
06:08Heading back to shore, I have time to reflect on an unforgettable experience.
06:14Diving into the sea isn't something you get to do every day, or maybe it is here in Dubrovnik.
06:23Just a stone's throw away from the city is a historic hotel, which originally opened in 1897.
06:31Today, the Hilton Imperial Dubrovnik stands as a reminder of the city's transition from the golden age of European travel
06:40to the city's more turbulent years.
06:43The hotel was also damaged during the 1991 shelling of Dubrovnik, but was subsequently restored,
06:50preserving its historic character while transforming it into the luxury hotel it is today.
06:58Inside, the hotel features elegant rooms and suites, an indoor pool, spa and fitness facilities.
07:05Its terrace and upper floors offer views towards the Adriatic and Dubrovnik's historic surroundings.
07:14Situated just moments from Old Town, you get the best of both worlds, historic charm and contemporary comfort.
07:24Every detail of the hotel exudes elegance, from its refined interiors to the beautiful outdoor terraces,
07:33where guests can enjoy some delicious fresh cuisine.
07:36As a fan of seafood, I like when I can see the sea and taste the sea.
07:46Speaking of the sea, it's time to explore the water in another way.
07:51Today, we're going to do a kayaking tour of five kilometres.
07:55We're going to visit a cave, back in a cave.
07:59We're going to go underneath the city walls, which is going to lead us into a cave.
08:04There's a lot to see here kayaking. My arms are ready for it.
08:07Very good, very good. There is no engines inside of the boat.
08:11You have to do a little bit of work of yourself.
08:14So, this is an active vacation for everybody that joins us.
08:18I grab my kayak and head out into the water,
08:21kayaking past the impressive city walls and out across to a beautiful swimming spot.
08:28Every part of the journey is spectacular and gives you a different perspective of the city.
08:35It's certainly hard work, so taking a break for a swim is the perfect way to cool off and enjoy
08:42the water
08:43before making my way back to shore.
08:49After all that activity, it's time for me to try some local cuisine.
08:54So, I'm heading to a family-run restaurant just outside the city walls.
08:59What's the special dish that I'm going to be trying?
09:02We are preparing peka for you, lamb and veal mixed, so you can try both.
09:09That sounds incredible. And what's the amazing history for your restaurant?
09:12For the restaurant, our family opened the restaurant in 1997, so it's almost 30 years of tradition.
09:19And what does the name of the restaurant mean?
09:23Piatanca, it's meaning for perfect dish, let's say.
09:28Croatian slang.
09:29So, I'm going to have the perfect dish here today.
09:31Yeah.
09:31Pekka is a traditional cooking method where meat, fish and vegetables are slow cooked beneath a bell-shaped iron lid
09:40covered with hot embers.
09:43You make a fire, then you put the meat and potatoes in a plate, the bell goes on it and
09:48the chakras all around.
09:49And two hours of slow cooking, two and a half.
09:53And this is very traditional here?
09:55Yeah, it's cooking in the own juices. This is tradition before electricity, before everything. So, this was first oven, let's
10:03say.
10:04The aroma is incredible. And I'm definitely ready to sit down and enjoy this special dish.
10:11There's something really special about eating like a local. And also, when it's this delicious, it makes it even better.
10:18Every bite is packed with flavour, making this the perfect way to fuel up for my final adventure in Dubrovnik,
10:27ziplining over the whole city.
10:31These views are epic.
10:34It's incredible over here. You know, I really love this spot and I'm glad you guys are here.
10:39You know, you get to see everything later on better on the ziplines. You know, the views are obviously better
10:43on the wires.
10:44Before we begin, Devo explains the safety briefing of how to operate the zipline and also provides me with all
10:52the necessary equipment.
10:54You're going to be in a seated position and you're going to be basically holding onto the brake and you're
11:00going to be controlling your own speed.
11:01The final step is securing my safety helmet and then I'm ready to go.
11:06I have to admit, I'm feeling slightly nervous up here, but I take a deep breath, step off the platform
11:14and soak up the incredible views.
11:18This is such a spectacular way to see Dubrovnik from a completely different perspective.
11:23And I'm thoroughly enjoying the experience.
11:27I'm doing my best to take in every moment as this is certainly an experience I'll never forget.
11:38As the sun sets over the Adriatic Sea, I finally take a moment to reflect on a spectacular trip.
11:46Dubrovnik is a city full of surprises from history to adventure.
11:51It has it all. But now time for my next adventure.
11:55Step 1
11:57Emmer words
11:57Step 2
11:58Step 2
11:59Step 2
12:00Gracias.
