26 | COLOURFUL CROATIA
DELIGHTFUL DUBROVNIK
BY ERIN ENGLISH
erin@nitravelnews.com
FOR the Game of Thrones fan, your first visit to Dubrovnik, Croatia will feel oddly familiar. Much like Northern Ireland which acted as Winterfell, The Iron Islands, and Dragonstone throughout the popular HBO Series, Game of Thrones.
the picturesque "Kings Landing,” a few of the series’ most notable scenes were filmed in Dubrovnik, including ‘The Royal Wedding’ which featured in season four, and Cersei Lannister’s ‘Walk of Shame’ in Season Five. Not forgetting the ultimate conclusion, which left fans divided, in season eight.
Back in October 2025, I got to experience a small slice of Dubrovnik on a fleeting three day visit. From Dublin, the flight time to Dubrovnik equates to roughly three hours, making it an accessible and idyllic location for a short getaway where you can bask in the warmth
Dubrovnik was utilised as
of the Dalmatian sun, or throw yourself into exploring Dubrovnik, otherwise referred to as the ‘Jewel of the Adriatic.’ Transport from the airport to
Dubrovnik town is
straightforward, with a range of taxis, bus services, and transfer coaches available the moment you step out from arrivals. I opted for an Uber, which was reasonably priced at €25, the entire journey from arrivals to the reception of Hotel Dubrovnik Palace
took around thirty minutes. However, with a breathtaking coastline accompanying you for
the majority of the journey, the road to Dubrovnik Old Town invites you to explore. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Dubrovnik Old Town stands prominent amidst the
The World’s New
Wonders? TikTok Has Its Say
GEN Z now spend over 10 hours online daily, using social media as their main source of travel inspiration. Viral hashtags like #TravelTok and #BucketList, pull in millions of views every day, sending destinations surging in popularity overnight. If social media decided the world’s wonders, some destinations would top bucket lists thanks to billions of views, iconic aesthetics and “must- post” backdrops. Imagine ticking off several of these trending wonders in one trip. Multi- centre holidays make it possible to experience more than one viral destination without the stress of planning. Gavin Lapidus, Company Director at eShores, shares the destinations dominating social media – the contenders for what could be the new 7 wonders of the world: Blue Domes, Santorini Blue domes, cliffside sunsets and whitewashed villages make Santorini a permanent viral favourite. It consistently ranks among the Top 10 most Instagrammable destinations worldwide and remains the blueprint for aesthetic travel.
Tirta Empul Temple, Bali Famous for its holy spring and centuries-old purification ritual, Tirta Empul Temple offers a peaceful blend of tradition and natural beauty, earning its place as a modern wonder. Burj Khalifa, Dubai Home to the tallest building in the world, futuristic skylines and world-first attractions, Dubai is the modern world’s answer to “jaw-dropping”. Its blend of luxury, spectacle and record-breaking design secures its place as a contemporary wonder. Maruyama Park, Kyoto Visit Kyoto’s most
famous weeping cherry tree and see the park transforms
into a sea
of soft pink each spring, drawing visitors who share everything from nighttime blossom
illuminations to traditional hanami picnics under the blooms. Cinque Terre, Italy Pastel villages, seaside drives and cinematic cliff views keep the Amalfi Coast firmly on Instagram’s radar. It’s the definition of summer goals and one of the world’s most photographed coastlines. Petra, Jordan Carved into rose-red cliffs, Petra
combines history with blockbuster visuals. Thanks to its cinematic appeal, this archaeological treasure remains a hit across Instagram and reel content. Banff National Park, Canada Turquoise lakes, epic mountains and
glacier trails dominate nature content on TikTok. Banff’s rugged beauty and adventure appeal make it one of the world’s most shared wilderness destinations. Study provided by
eShores.co.uk
Adriatic coastline. Entering through the city walls, you immediately understand why Game of Thrones envisioned Dubrovnik as ‘Kings Landing.’ The light-coloured limestone and iconic red roof-tops transport you back in time as glimmers of authentic baroque, gothic and renaissance architecture are dotted throughout the vein-like streets of Old Town Dubrovnik. For the history buff, Dubrovnik Old Town is an endless treasure trove of discovery. Rector’s Palace is probably the most notable attraction in Dubrovnik Old Town, the gothic-renaissance palace once acted as a governmental building for Dubrovnik’s formative republic, Ragusa. Not to mention,
the Jesuit Staircase which leads to St.Ignatius Church, the iconic backdrop to Cersei Lannister’s season five ‘Walk of Shame’ sequence. A niche object of amusement within Dubrovnik’s Old Town comes just after you pass the Francisan monastery. A crowd of people will direct you to Dubrovnik’s very own superstition, the Maskeron Gargoyle.
I watched as various people attempted to balance on the stone gargoyle head, which sits approximately half a metre from the ground. Not privy to the
details of the challenge, I watched on as countless people took a leap of faith to stand on the gargoyle. Once seemingly perched, the aspirants stood facing the wall, with one man even attempting to remove his shirt while maintaining balance. It wasn’t long before his right foot deceived him, and he stumbled back to the floor, earning a brief sigh of disappointment from onlookers. Myself and a few others parted from the crowd at this very moment, each of us utilising the moment to flee before being hooked into another participant’s attempt. It was only when I returned to my
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January 2026
hotel room later that evening that I was reminded of the scene, and a quick google search revealed to me the superstition surrounding the area, and the reasoning behind the crowd’s multiple attempts at parkour. Harking back a Croatian legend, the story goes that a lovelorn man vowed that if he could run and jump on the Maskeron Gargoyle’s head, and remove his shirt and place it back on again whilst facing the wall and maintaining his balance, that he would find love. Not long after, the man was successful in his romantic pursuits, and news of Dubrovnik’s Maskeron gargoyle spread amongst locals and tourists alike. Despite only having a few hours to explore Dubrovnik’s Old Town, the combination of rich history, coastal charm, and endless activities made it clear why the city is referred to as ‘the pearl of the Adriatic’.
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