Let's Go Europe 2019. Harvard Student Agencies

jars and homemade remedies. But this isn’t your average old pharmacy. If that’s what you’re looking for, you can stop next door at the functioning pharmacy that the Franciscans continue to run. The main attraction of the complex, however, is the cloister. Columns topped with Gothic quatrefoils stand in the picturesque setting. Rooms leading off the cloister feature religious art from the history of the complex.

       i Admission 30 kn, reduced 15 kn

       MUSEUM OF MODERN ART DUBROVNIK

      Put Frana Supila 23; 020 426 590; open Tu-Su 9am-8pm

      Take me to the beach beach let’s go get away way, to the Museum of Modern Art which is conveniently located above Banje Beach. Situated in an old palace, the museum is dedicated to nineteenth-century and contemporary art from the Dubrovnik area, which means you won’t know anyone or anything here. Jury’s still out on whether English language descriptions would help with understanding the abstract art that dominates the museum. Regardless, the terrace is easier to appreciate with its stunning views of Old Town and a few sculptures by our homeboy, Ivan Meštrović.

      i Admission 20 kn

      OUTDOORS

       MT. SRĐ

      Ul. kralja Petra Krešimira IV; 020 414 355; www.dubrovnikcablecar.com; open daily Jan 9am-4pm, Feb-Mar 9am-5pm, Apr 9am-8pm, May 9am-9pm, June-Aug 9am-midnight, Sept 9am-10pm, Oct 9am-8pm, Nov 9am-5pm, Dec 9am-4pm

      Beached out? Hike Mt. Srd, the giant hunk of rock located just behind the city. There’s a cable car that goes to the top, but we recommend buying a one-way ticket and hiking the way down. The cable car company purposefully doesn’t mark the mountain trail—attempting to scheme you into a roundtrip ticket. So insider tip, find the path behind the concrete fort, located just west of the top cable car station, if you want to avoid paying for the trip down. The view from the top of the mountain does not disappoint. On a clear day, you can see Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. You might not be able to check them off your bucket list, but at least you saw them.

       i Round-trip 130 kn, one-way 80 kn, children under 4 free; limited wheelchair accessibility

       BANJE BEACH

      Ul. Frana Supila 10

      Go east, young man! Fulfill your Dubrovnik version of Manifest Destiny by claiming a spot at Banje Beach. For the real homesteaders out there, the eastern part of the beach is free. The beach has great views of Dubrovnik, but then again, where doesn’t? It’s an easy five-minute walk to the east of the city.

       i Free; beach chair rental 100 kn

       LOKRUM ISLAND

      Lokrum Island

      Lokrum Island seems like an ideal romantic getaway with its heart shaped gardens and azure waters. That is, until middle-aged tourists start mimicking the peacocks that roam freely on the island. If you can overcome those terrifying, soul-crushing sounds, trek over from the small harbor to the old Benedictine Monastery. Legend has it that when the monks were kicked off the island, they left a curse on all those who come to Lokrum to seek pleasure. So instead, come as a Game of Thrones pilgrim to see an exact copy of the Iron Throne located in the visitors’ center. On the top of the island is an old fort with panoramic views.

       i Round-trip ferry 120 kn, island entrance 90 kn with self-provided transportation; last ferry departs at 7pm; limited wheelchair accessibility

KOTOR

      Thought Europe’s only fjords were located in Norway? Think again. Montenegro is home to one of ‘em. And boy, it is pretty grand. Kotor is located on the eastern part of the fjord’s interior. For centuries, this was an important port town in the conflict between the Venetians and Ottomans. Although not caught between those empires anymore, Montenegro is at the crossroads of Russia and Europe. In the summer months, you’ll quickly notice the many Russian tourists, on vacation from their miserable sunless country for the near constant sunshine and glorious beaches. Aside from gawking at the worst sunburns this side of Vladivostok, there are walls to climb, orthodox icon screens to admire, and plenty of places to take a dip in the clear waters. Welcome to the Russian Riviera.

      Kotor is a triangle-shaped town hypotenused against Sveti Ivan (St. John’s) mountain, smack dab on top of which is the town’s fortress. To the north of the historic center is the Škurda River, which feels like a moat due to Kotor’s massive walls. Continuing north is a small beach and large modern shopping center. Southwards is a small inlet of the Bay of Kotor. The cruise ship terminal where many tourists arrive is located due west from downtown. The historic center is quite small with minimal streets and piazzas—you can get lost but it is easy to reorient yourself based on the tall cathedral towers, mountain, and city walls.

      GETTING THERE

      Getting to Kotor from Dubrovnik is fairly easy. The approximately two-hour bus ride runs at just €15. Book a bus ticket after looking at the schedule at the Dubrovnik Bus Station.

      GETTING AROUND

      Kotor itself is small and best navigated on foot. Cars cannot get into the old town regions, although some golf carts are used as taxis or city tour transportation devices. Renting a bike is also a viable option for navigating your way around the city.

       Swing by…

       CATHEDRAL OF ST. TRYPHON

      Pjaca Sv. Tripuna

      Romanesque to the bone, or baptistery rather, this is the largest church in the city. Historically, Kotor had a mostly Catholic population and this is still an operational Catholic church. Due to the large influx of Orthodox Christians in the city, however, several of the city’s other churches have since converted. Immediately after entering the cathedral, take note of the remaining frescoes on the soffit of the arches. Admission to the cathedral museum, located beyond the left side aisle, is included in admission to the church. Climb the steps to the small reliquary chapel, the most evocative spot in the cathedral.

       i Admission €2.50; limited wheelchair accessibility

       Check out…

       FORTIFICATIONS

      Put do Svetog Ivana; open daily 24hr

      “City walls” fails to describe the straight-up-the-face-of-a-mountain fortifications that protected the city of Kotor for centuries. We’re not quite sure how horses and soldiers made their way up the steep grades of the mountain, because it’s near impossible to walk straight up the switchbacks without using the steps on the side. Should you survive, halfway up the mountain lies a small chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary. You’ll need divine help to hike all the way up to the fortress at the top, where there are even better views of the surrounding mountains. Be sure to bring water—midday can get quite hot in the summer.

       i Admission €3; no wheelchair accessibility

       Grab a bite at…

       BOKUN ($)

      Ul. 1; 69 290 019; open daily winter 8am-11pm, summer 8am-1am

      Many people come here for the live music, the exposed stone walls, or the wine. We come here for the sandwiches. Hold the jazz, please, we want the arugula and prosciutto goodness served on a wooden platter.