How to spend a long weekend in Dubrovnik like a travel photographer

See Croatia’s coast through an aesthetic lens with some of Instagram’s coolest content creators

[nectar_dropcap color=””]T[/nectar_dropcap]his summer, our Social Media Manager, Lucy Kell, visited Dubrovnik with a dream team of digital creators: Callie Thorpe, Natasha Ndlovu, Postcards By Hannah, Wanderlust Ruby and Abi Marvel. Here’s how they took on the Adriatic, SLH style…

First impressions…

The moment we arrived at Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik, we were mesmerised by this waterside jewel with dazzling views over the Old Town. We checked into our sleek, newly refurbished rooms before heading down to the shimmering waterfront for a leisurely lunch.[/vc_column_text][nectar_video_player_self_hosted video_mp4=”/wp-content/uploads/@natashandlovu-1.mp4″ el_aspect=”11″ player_functionality=”lightbox” play_button_style=”default” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ advanced_gradient_display_type=”linear”][/vc_column_inner][nectar_video_player_self_hosted video_mp4=”/wp-content/uploads/@natashandlovu-2-compressed.mp4″ el_aspect=”11″ player_functionality=”lightbox” play_button_style=”default” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ advanced_gradient_display_type=”linear”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner]Videos by @natashandlovu[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]Images by @abimarvel[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]Our table was waiting down at the hotel’s Prora Beach Restaurant. Lunch was a selection of local dishes – think fresh octopus salad, a cold glass of Croatian white wine and the sound of the waves lapping against the rocks.

*Pool appreciation post*

Because there are swimming pools, and then there is this salt water swimming pool built into the sea front at Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik…[/vc_column_text][nectar_video_player_self_hosted video_mp4=”/wp-content/uploads/@calliethorpe-2-compressed.mp4″ el_aspect=”11″ player_functionality=”lightbox” play_button_style=”default” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ advanced_gradient_display_type=”linear”][/vc_column_inner][nectar_video_player_self_hosted video_mp4=”/wp-content/uploads/@calliethorpe-compressed.mp4″ el_aspect=”11″ player_functionality=”lightbox” play_button_style=”default” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” advanced_gradient_angle=”0″ advanced_gradient_display_type=”linear”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner]Videos by @calliethorpe[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Time for a tour…

What better way to explore Dubrovnik’s Old Town than with a private sightseeing tour? Our guide walked us through the Pearl of the Adriatic, with its fortified walls and bright red roofs – an absolute must for Game of Thrones fans. We ended the evening with a candlelit dinner at Proto Restaurant.[/vc_column_text]Images by @abimarvel[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

Seas the day…

A new day dawned and it was time to hit the intoxicatingly blue Adriatic Sea. We hopped on a boat and cruised around the Elaphiti Islands, exploring hidden coves along the way.[/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”18287″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][/vc_column_inner][image_with_animation image_url=”18288″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner]@calliethorpe and @natashandlovu serving coastal chic looks[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]Located in a secluded bay on the island of Šipan, BOWA is not just a restaurant, it’s an experience sent from heaven. We feasted on freshly caught fish, hand‑picked vegetables and homemade olive oil in our private cabana, paddled in the crystal waters before a dessert of apple cheesecake, and finished with a blissful nap under the billowing canopy.

Watch on TikTok: You need to visit this incredible restaurant on a secluded bay near Dubrovnik[/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”18289″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][/vc_column_inner][image_with_animation image_url=”18291″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner]Images by @wanderlustruby[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]After a perfect day on the water, we wound down with an aperitif at Hotel Excelsior Dubrovnik’s Abakus Piano Bar terrace. Our insider tip? Order a glass of Croatian sparkling wine to really soak up the sunset.

A change of scene…

A visit to Croatia wouldn’t be complete without checking into Hotel Bellevue Dubrovnik, carved into the rugged cliffs overlooking Miramare Bay. Breathe in the ocean air from your balcony before heading down to the beach for a lazy afternoon on one of the hotel’s sun loungers.[/vc_column_text][image_with_animation image_url=”18292″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][/vc_column_inner][image_with_animation image_url=”18293″ image_size=”full” animation_type=”entrance” animation=”Fade In” hover_animation=”none” alignment=”” border_radius=”none” box_shadow=”none” image_loading=”default” max_width=”100%” max_width_mobile=”default”][/vc_column_inner][/vc_row_inner]Images by @calliethorpe and @wanderlustruby[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]

That’s a wrap!

Our love for Croatian wine is no secret, so what better way to beat the last night blues than with a tasting session at the hotel’s new wine bar? Followed by a sumptuous dinner at award‑winning Vapor Restaurant, we were already plotting our return to the Adriatic before our flight home…

Watch on TikTok: A weekend in Dubrovnik @postcardsbyhannah[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][divider line_type=”No Line”][/vc_column][/vc_row]

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