DAY 2

Postcards from Croatia - Dubrovnik, Cavtat & Konavle

Me & Mia

We woke up early the next morning and all made our way down to breakfast after our first late European dinner together the night before. After breakfast, we boarded the bus back into Dubrovnik before taking the cable car up to Mount Srđ. We spent the morning taking in the views over the Old Town before visiting the Homeland War Museum. Learning about the Siege of Dubrovnik gave me a much deeper appreciation for Croatia and the resilience of the Croatian people. It was a reminder that behind the beauty of the country is a history that has shaped generations, and I left feeling even more grateful to experience Croatia in the way we were able to.

From there, we made our way back down to the waterfront and boarded another boat, this time heading to Cavtat. We stopped for lunch overlooking the water before naturally ending the meal with coffee. One of the things I came to love most about Croatia was its coffee culture. Somewhere along the way, my usual flat white was replaced by espressos, Americanos and, more often than not, a kava sa šlagom (coffee with whipped cream). I learnt there was no such thing as a quick coffee, and after a while, I found myself enjoying simply sitting.

Estafania, Tony, Darcy and Anna (on the right), Luka and Erik (on the left)

After lunch, we had some free time before meeting for the afternoon tour. Everyone wandered off to spend it however they liked. A group of us made our way over to the rocks near the boats, where we spent the afternoon talking, laughing, cooling off in the water and enjoying the sun before meeting back up with everyone else. Looking back, those simple moments are the ones I remember most.

Darcy & Luka swimming

The tour itself wasn't like a traditional walking tour. It felt much more like an immersive storytelling experience. It began inside one of Cavtat's beautiful old villas, where costumed performers brought the town's history to life before leading us through its streets. Rather than simply learning about Cavtat, it felt like stepping into its story. It was such a memorable way to experience the town and one I'll always remember. By the time the tour came to an end on the waterfront, the afternoon sun had started to soften and the water was almost completely still.

Before heading back to the bus, a few of us wandered off to grab another coffee overlooking the harbour. We'd already started collecting little inside jokes. Somehow Darcy had become "Mr. Darcy", always said in an exaggerated British accent. I can't even remember how the nickname started, but somehow it stayed with him for the remainder of the trip.

As we drove through Konavle towards dinner, I spent most of the journey looking out the window. I was completely in awe of the landscape around us. Every time I thought Croatia couldn't become any more beautiful, it somehow did.

We eventually arrived at Konavoski Dvori, tucked away beside the Ljuta River. It was one of the most beautiful restaurants I'd ever been to. Surrounded by old stone buildings, towering trees and the sound of flowing water, it felt like one of those places you only discover because someone local takes you there. We were seated outside beside the river at a series of long tables reserved just for us. We were divided into our smaller groups with our team leaders, mine being Filip. It was nice having a more intimate dinner where we could properly get to know one another and reflect on everything we'd experienced over the past couple of days. As always, dinner began with soup. As the evening went on, the gemišt kept flowing, conversations drifted from one end of the table to the other and the laughter only seemed to get louder.

Filip & Mia

Looking back, I think that was the first time I realised just how special those next two weeks were going to be. We were only on the second day of the programme, yet I already found myself wanting to hold onto every moment. It was the simple moments I came to appreciate the most.

Being immersed in that way of living made me feel more present than I had in a long time. More grounded. More grateful. More like myself.