Day 34: Cycling from Berlin to Athens

Day 34

Rest day in Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik old town from the city walls

We took a well earned rest day after a long week of travelling and although Dubrovnik old town is full of tourists, it is a beautiful medieval city. Also, we appreciated the feeling of being in King's Landing from Game of Thrones. First things first we put our laundry on and then went for breakfast which was a disappointing sandwich, however, the laundry worked so we are relieved to have clean cycling gear for the next stage. Shanky had a rest at our apartment and I went up on the city walls to take in the views of the city and the Adriatic Sea which was pretty cool. We then went for lunch and to the small beach - Banje Beach, to have a cool off and when there's an ocean nearby, I just can't resist a swim. It was beautiful clear waters and a pretty wavy sea, so it was perfect for me. 

Banje beach where we had a swim

Peekaboo on the city wall

I couldn't resist getting in the instagram
sign at the laundry

Route planning

After some sightseeing we had a look at the routes ahead, as we haven't planned very much from here onwards. It seems we cannot avoid the busy coastal road now but it won't last forever and we will enter Montenegro tomorrow, all going well. We then plan to head along the coast to Tirana in Albania and from there decide if we will go inland across to Thessaloniki or keep heading down the coast to Athens. We are reading many other blogs to figure out the best options for biking, so let's see. We did plan a route out of the city itself which avoids going back up the stairs but going down some stairs and then joining the road by Banje beach. 

Dubrovnik harbour

Dubrovnik by night

We went back to our favourite vegan restaurant - Nishta - and our favourite ice cream establishment - Sladoledarna - and then wandered about town listening to the different street bands performing. We also found the staircase and street of the famous Game of Thrones "shame" scene with Cersei Lannister. It was Saturday night so pretty buzzing and it felt weird to be on the way home at 10pm, our usual bed time, but we have a busy road and some hills to face tomorrow, so we have to be fresh. 

Staircase from Game of Thrones "shame" scene

Sights of note

• A basketball court under the walls - not even a full size as they had to squeeze it in
• The staircase from Game of Thrones "shame" scene with Cersei Lannister
• A tourist submarine you can take a ride on

The three-quarter sized basketball court