A song of sun and sea

Whilst I sit here in mid-October wrapped up in a blanket, jumper, and thermal socks, my mind can't help but wander back to earlier in the year when I had the pleasure of taking a trip to Dubrovnik, a city in southern Croatia. Ideal for those of you who are looking for a city break and a beach-side destination, Dubrovnik is a must-visit destination with everything you need for the perfect honeymoon.

ARRIVE IN STYLE
My Dubrovnik adventure began bright and early in the morning when I was whisked away to the airport by a private taxi from Jayride. My driver arrived ahead of schedule, picking me up in a luxury vehicle; his friendly demeanour made the journey fly by and, before I knew it, we'd arrived at our destination London Gatwick Airport. A pleasant three-hour flight later, via easyJet, I'd arrived in Croatia ready to begin my adventure in earnest. I couldn't wait to visit the filming locations for Game of Thrones, having been an avid fan of the TV series for years, and to see what other delights the city had to offer

PLACE TO REST YOUR HEAD
A brief drive from the airport and I'd arrived at my accommodation, Valamar Tirena Hotel. Perfectly situated near the beach and the Old Town, the four-star resort has everything I look for in a holiday: culture, friendly staff and luxurious rooms. There are over 208 bedrooms to choose from, many with seaside views, and I was pleased to find mine had a king-sized bed, impressive views and a walk-in rainfall shower – I could have happily spent most of my trip just in the bedroom.

REST AND RELAXATION
One of the best things about staying at the Valamar Tirena Hotel is that you also have access to the venue's sister hotels, home to delicious restaurants and my favourite area, the Balance Mediterranean Spa by Valamar. Located inside the Valamar Lacroma Dubrovnik Hotel, the spa had all the luxuries you'd expect, such as a steam bath, saunas, a Vitality bar, a relaxation lounge and both indoor and outdoor pools. I spent most of my time by the indoor pool, surrounded by spacious loungers, I loved curling up with a good book and enjoying the peace and quiet. Losing track of time, I'd almost drifted off to sleep when the lovely masseuse came to collect me for my massage. I've suffered from neck ache for years, probably due to having a desk job, so I always jump at the chance to have a treatment. Feeling my worries (and knots!) drift away, the masseuse did a wonderful job and 35-minutes later I felt like a new person.

FOOD, GLORIOUS FOOD
Amongst my friends and family, it's no secret that I'm a fussy eater, and I often feel overwhelmed when eating at a restaurant; so, I was a bit apprehensive when I arrived for lunch at Oliva Grill, the hotel's à la carte restaurant by the pool. In hindsight, I feel silly as the menu had so many mouth-watering options that I wanted to try them all. I opted for the carbonara pasta, which was delicious, and I couldn't wait to come back another day to try the tuna steak that I saw several other diners enjoying profusely. For dinner, the Valamar Tirena's buffet restaurant is a must-try. I love a buffet, but it's hard to know when to stop, and that was the exact problem I found myself having each evening. Everything looked so appetising that I had to try it all. Naturally, I also found space for a dessert...or two.

FUN IN THE SUN
Before arriving in Croatia, one of the things I was most excited about was Dubrovnik's largest play area – Maro World. Ideal for all age groups, it has everything from interactive games, trampolines, and softplay zones to gaming lounges filled with all the latest tech. I felt like a kid in a sweet shop wandering around the 13 different play areas and was very tempted to take my shoes off and try the slides out for myself. With highly trained staff on-site, you can relax knowing your children are taken care of while you enjoy some me-time by the pool, or treat yourself to a spa treatment. Or if you're a big kid like me, you can even join in with the fun and challenge your kids to a whole host of games and activities. I couldn't wait to tell my nephews all about Maro World and I have promised to bring them for a visit soon.

A SEA OF DREAMS
After spoiling my inner child, it was time to venture out and explore Dubrovnik and what better way than by boat? The marina was a short drive away, and before I knew it, I was on a private vessel heading around the Elaphiti Islands. These magnificent islands are a wonder to behold and as with many stunning locations, the pictures don’t quite do them justice. Jetting around the islands, our boat’s captain chose the perfect spot to drop anchor, giving us an opportunity to swim with the many fish that call the Adriatic Sea home. Diving near the awe-inspiring reefs and caves is a must for anyone visiting the area and is one of the many highlights of my trip.

HISTORIC WONDERS
Old Town is an essential destination for anyone visiting Dubrovnik, but the best way to travel, in my humble opinion, is by electric tuk tuk. I wasn’t sure what to expect when the vehicle arrived at our hotel, but before I knew it, we were careering through the streets and mountains of Croatia. Our kind driver even stopped at Dubrovnik Bridge to give the group a moment to snap some pictures and stand in awe of the impressive architecture. With the wind in my hair and the sun beating down on me, I found myself wishing to live in that moment forever. Old Town was everything that I had imagined it to be, with streets steeped in a rich history, I could imagine various Game of Thrones characters scheming around every corner! Our guide told us about Croatia’s past, showing us the beautiful buildings and introducing the group to friendly locals and what I’d been waiting for: Fort Lovrijenac (AKA King’s Landing!). I must have taken a hundred pictures of Old Town, but looking back, I don’t feel any of them really came close to capturing its beauty; it’s truly a location that needs to be seen to be believed. Just when I thought the day couldn’t get any better, we were escorted
to a cable car, which elevated us up to Sr Mountain. Providing impressive views of Old Town and the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea, the sights were breathtaking. Situated at the top of the 415-metre-high mountain was Panorama Restaurant. A highly desired location, the restaurant not only has the views in its favour, but the food and drink were also spectacular. I couldn’t believe how lucky I was to have visited this picturesque setting, and I would highly recommend the location to anyone thinking of visiting Dubrovnik.

DANCE THE NIGHT AWAY
For the evening's entertainment, I was treated to a performance of a musical rendition of Around the World in Eighty Days, written by Jules Verne and performed at Lovrijenac Fort in the Old Town. Having never read the book and knowing a little about the plot, I was excited and interested to see how the story had been translated into a musical. Commissioned especially for the Dubrovnik audience, the play was full of slapstick comedy, catchy tunes and fabulous acting; it was a joy to watch and the perfect way to finish my last day. Lovrijenac Fort hosts a variety of shows throughout the year, so be sure to check out what's showing when you visit. A short taxi trip back to the hotel, and a couple of drinks later, it was time to hit the sheets. I awoke the next morning dreading checking out. I wanted to spend longer in my little piece of paradise and was heartbroken to be leaving. I'm looking forward to returning with my husband and showing him just how wonderful this city truly is.

HONEYMOON BLISS
Whether you're looking for a relaxing honeymoon, an on-the-go adventure or a family-moon, the Valamar Hotels have something to suit. There's plenty to see and do across the different properties that will leave you wanting to move there permanently.

BOOK IT
Valamar Tirena Hotel, valamar.com/en/hotels-dubrovnik/tirena-hotel
Dubrovnik President Valamar Collection Hotel, valamar.com/en/hotels-dubrovnik/valamar-dubrovnik-president-hotel
Valamar Lacroma Dubrovnik Hotel, valamar.com/en/hotels-dubrovnik/valamar-lacroma-dubrovnik-hotel
easyJet, easyjet.com/en
Holiday Extras, holidayextras.com
Jayride, Jayride.com
Eco Tuk Tours Dubrovnik, ecotuktoursdu.hr
Dubrovnik Boat Charter, dubrovnikboatcharter.com
Panorama Restaurant, nautikarestaurants.com/panorama-restaurant-bar
Dubrovnik Cable Car, dubrovnikcablecar.com
Midsummer Scene Theatre and Music, midsummer-scene.com