Seven days isn't enough.
How spoiled am I?
Obviously, seven days is better than less, but I think if we do this again, ten days would be better than seven. We left at the start of our vacation, so it took a bit to wind into the holiday mood, then it feels like it is going to end a little too soon.
We do have some weeks of holidays still once we get back to Finland, but it seems Finland isn't offering the best weather, with most days rainy and under 20C, which means no lake swimming and little outdoor activity.
We are in Mlini, which is 12 kilometers south of Dubrovnik on the Riviera and is quite an idyllic location. Apparently, it is nearly all owned ad operated by the same company, Maistra. This has left is with some lessons learned.
Firstly, the hotel we booked through was a 4-star hotel, but it didn't mention that all the amenities are located at a 3-star hotel next door. This means that there are two full hotels sharing one pool area, and breakfast and dinner. Also, the breakfast (which weren't included for our villa apartment, but have bought a couple times) is far more 3-star than four.not bad, but not great.
Then there are all the extras, where for example, the private hotel beach still requires paying for beds and umbrellas. It isn't that expensive in the grand scheme, but it leaves a bitter taste, considering the price of the week booking. Even the pool table and ping pong cost to use.
We haven't taken the beach chairs though, choosing to be by the pool more and when at the beach, just taking a bag and finding some shade. We aren't sunbaking there, nor spending more than an hour or two anyway, so it is fine.
There aren't as many restaurants as I had hoped, and while the service has been generally good, the gluten and lactose limitations have severely hampered our choices, ending up dining at far more expensive places that are willing to cater.
The food has by far, been the biggest cost for us, but there would be much cheaper options for those who don't have dietary restrictions. Food quality has been average, but nothing to write home about. Again, tourist area, so expectations should align.
My wife showing her size preferences
Overall, the staff and service has been very good ad accommodating, and most places ho out if their way to cater for our needs, if they can. They also seem to remember us if we visit a second time and suggest edits to the dish, like leaving cream off, or putting sauce on the side instead. It is nice.
The other thing that has been a challenge, is there is no store close, so while we have an apartment with a kitchen, getting anything to cook isn't easy, so we haven't done much. However, it is well worth it to have the extra room for our daughter and the quietness of being detached from other guests.
Mlini itself seems to be a ice place just to hangout and sit around, with not a lot to do in terms of tourist activities, unless wanting to get a jet ski or SUP board. There is also only one "bar" in the area where you get people might go, but that isn't an issue for us. There are other bars to drink at though of course, but it might not be a location for the party animals amongst us.
For older or much younger, it is good.
Also, I think it is worth noting that a person might not want to spend all their time here and instead take a taxi into Dubrovnik for the old town, dinner or whatever.
We took a bus the first day and it was about 6 euros all together. We took a taxi back and it was 25. The walk up the hill to the bus stop, the standing and the getting off at the wrong stop... Taxi is better. Even if we got off at the right stop, it would have been a bit if a walk into the old city.
From what we have seen though, Croatia is a great destination to spend some time and explore and if we come back, we will get out of the city and towns and head more into nature. This takes a bit more planning though, and a willingness to walk. There must be some beautiful places to see, especially if not worried about getting seasick, which has stopped us from going out to the islands, as my wife is very sensitive.
Still, highly recommended and it would be amazing to stay in one of the apartments for a couple nights in Dubrovnik... Without a child that is.
Taraz
[ Gen1: Hive ]