Located on Croatia's Adriatic coastline, the historic city of Dubrovnik is popular with visitors who enjoy relaxing on the beach, as well as those who want to explore the area's fascinating heritage. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979, Dubrovnik's 16th-century Old Town is one of the best preserved in the country, and will be familiar to fans of Game of Thrones, as parts of the city are used as King's Landing in the TV phenomenon.
Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) is located a few miles south of the city, close to the village of ?ilipi. Flights to Dubrovnik arrive from all over Europe, with flights from Cork and Dublin to Dubrovnik departing regularly. Upon arrival on your weekend in Dubrovnik, you can take a shuttle bus service into the city or take a taxi straight to your hotel.
The official language in Dubrovnik is Croatian, but most people will speak at least a little English, especially hotels and restaurant workers. The currency in Croatia is the kuna, and the time is one hour ahead of the UK's.
Summer package holidays in Dubrovnik are ideal for travellers who love high temperatures and plenty of sunshine, and there are more than enough beaches where you can catch some rays. Spring and autumn are better times to travel if you want to do more sightseeing on city breaks in Dubrovnik, and even the winter months can be mild and sunny.
February sees the city host the Dubrovnik Carnival, a traditional celebration of Croatian culture culminating in a masked ball, while the Summer Festival, which runs from July to August, features musical and theatrical performers from across the world, as well as outdoor cinema screenings and plenty of free events throughout the Old Town.
If you need a break from sightseeing on your weekend in Dubrovnik, why not spend the day on one of the area's popular beaches? Banje is the closest beach to the city centre, popular with locals on weekends and after works and ideal for families. Head out of town and you'll soon come across quieter beaches such as Sveti Jakov, only a 20-minute walk from the centre, or the rocky beach at Šuli?i.
Explore the coastline from the sea with a pleasure cruise from Dubrovnik, or paddle yourself around quiet bays and inlets in a sea kayak. At Banje beach, try water-skiing, paragliding or renting your own jet ski if kayaking is too slow for your taste.
There are plenty of attractions to explore while on package holidays in Dubrovnik.
Look out for crni rižot on menus in local restaurants – this black risotto is a delicious Dalmatian speciality well worth trying. Fish dishes are also very popular, especially those made with locally caught fish and seafood. Mušule na buzaru, mussels steamed with white wine and garlic, make a great lunchtime snack.
If you have a sweet tooth, try popular local dessert rozata, made with chilled custard and caramel, or the delicious local confectionery, arancini – candied orange peel.
Arancini makes a great gift for friends and family, or you can bring a bottle of local Dalmatian wine home as a souvenir of your city breaks in Dubrovnik. This area of Croatia is also known for its traditional jewellery, including hooped Konavle gold earrings, which are part of the folk costume of the region.