We had bad luck with our rooms, were lied to and treated like we were bothering them…
Then there were the roaming tour groups engulfing restaurants and streets and sights. (And this was only shoulder season!)
And every evening the restaurant and trinket hawkers (sharks) roamed the Stradun asking every time you go by if you are hungry, would you like blah blah blah, etc.
Then there was the ‘TI’ center I went into to ask a simple question and they would only help me if I wanted to pay for a tour or buy a map or something. Blech.
It was beautiful, but too sterile with all the locals having moved out and renting to tourists.
The highlight was walking the walls, and I’m glad I went, but if I go back to Croatia I’d much rather do more island hopping than go to Dubrovnik again.
One time I found it to feel more real was in the morning (7 AM – 10AM or so, before the cruise ships belch their hordes) when some locals were out shopping and restocking and getting shaves in the barber shop.
over 5 years ago