The polished marble streets and limestone walls of Dubrovnik’s old city sparkle in the sunshine. But the best way to view them is from atop the walls that circle the city and from Lokrum Island just a short boat ride away.

I don’t think that even the masters of animation and digital media could create a more beautiful city. Apparently the thousands of people from the cruise ships off shore would agree. After one glance at the hordes of tourists squeezing through the narrow streets of the city, I figured that the best plan was to climb up the dozens of narrow steps to the path atop the walls that encircle the city. I figured that the steep climb would dissuade all but the hardiest and most-highly motivated.

For the most part I was right. The path wasn’t empty, but it wasn’t choked with tourists either. The pictures that follow were taken during the 2-3 hour leisurely walk around the city atop the walls and high above the madding crowd. This is the way to experience Dubrovnik. It also keeps you from spending too much money in the bars, restaurants, and high end shops below.

We did venture into the streets below for lunch and to visit the teeny synagogue on a narrow alley-like street off the main drag. The next day we returned to the old city (a two mile walk from our quiet hotel in Lapad, on the harbour on the other side of the peninsula) for a short boat ride to the island of Lokrum, which you can see in the photo taken the day before from atop the wall. Lokrum Island is a nature reserve and the site of an 11th Century monastery, an arboretum of more recent origin, and, apparently, a nude beach. We didn’t bother looking for the nude beach. Its a great place to escape the crowds and meander through the forest for a few hours. its also a great place for stunning views of Dubrovnik from offshore, as well as the coast to the south of the city. After two days in Dubrovnik, it was time to head north up the Dalmation Coast to the sparkling city of Split. Check back here in a couple of days.