“Would you like to escape Dubrovnik and enjoy lunch in Cavtat and a drive around the Konavle region” said Bozidar Jukic from Insider Holidays of Dubrovnik. After our incredible Wine Tour with his wife Ana, how could we resist! Another day trip to enjoy.
A Day Trip From Dubrovnik
18km from Dubrovnik is the pretty town of Cavtat, which was founded by the Illyrians and Greek traders around 228BC. It was originally called Epidaurum and later became a Roman colony. Cavtat has many palaces, summer houses and apartments and has a population of around 2,000.
Bugenvila Restaurant Cavtat
There is a 7km promenade around the enchanting harbour of Cavtat which is lined with restaurants and cafes. Today we were lunching at “Bugenvila” a favourite restaurant of Bozidar and Ana.
When we entered the restaurant we felt that we were in the South of France or in Naples or Sorrento in Italy. A calming atmosphere coupled with the view over the harbour and the promise of lunch at one of the region’s leading restaurants was just what we needed.
The lunch menu had a unique lunch theme or you could have their a la carte alternative:
- Blue Menu – Fish
- Red Menu – Meat
- Green Menu – Vegetarian
The food was excellent with a combination of tastes that we had not experienced before. We just have to share what we had with you.
Duncan had the Red Menu:
Red Menu 1st course
Bacon, Prosciutto, Melba Toast
2nd Course
Ice Cold Gazpacho, Stracciatella, Cucumber
3rd Course Ox Cheeks
Ox Cheeks, Mashed Potatoes, Summer Greens
I had the Green Menu:
Bruschetta, Olive Tapenade, Organic Goat Cheese
2nd Course
Ice Cold Green Lettuce Gazpacho, Almonds
3rd Course
Hokkaido Risotto, Pumpkin Seeds, Pumpkin Oil
I am not a big lover of olives, finding them to be quite bitter, but as they were part of my first course I really needed to try them. To my surprise, they were not bitter, really tasty and my faith in olives now has been restored. Even Duncan was amazed that I had finished the dish, he was looking forward to eating them for me. The flavour of the Lettuce Gazpacho was nothing like I have ever tasted before plus the added additions of the locally grown almonds gave a nutty taste to an already flavoursome fresh tasting soup. The Risotto – well I have run out of adjectives now, tantalising!
We didn’t hear much from Duncan which meant that he thoroughly enjoyed his 3 courses as well.
Coffee!
As an accompaniment to my coffee, I enjoyed a locally made Sour Cherry Brandy.
The meal was one of the very best that I have ever had. Service was impeccable, there was nothing we could fault the restaurant on and we will certainly return when we are next in the region (which we hope won’t be too long).
7km long promenade of Cavtat
Time to walk off our lunch, Bozidar gave us an option – the historical sites of Cavtat or a walk around the harbour foreshores, we chose the later.
Foreshore walk Cavtat
A walk that led us past many cypress trees with their fresh evergreen aromas, palm trees and the many shimmering blues of the ocean. All too soon we were back at the car and ready for our next adventure into the Konavle region.
The Konavle Region is the most southern part of Croatia leading down to the border with Montenegro. It is a region full of lovely old stone houses, and wineries that produce white wines and well-known Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot. Up in the hills, it is very lush and green. A wide variety of fruit and vegetables are also grown in this region.
Country Estates run local cooking classes, you can go horse-riding, hiking and even enjoy a tour a cycling tour or ATV Safaris.
It was hard to imagine that the whole area was occupied during the 1991-1995 war, many people were forced to leave their homes and those who escaped returned to find their homes burnt to the ground.
Konavle is where you can come and escape to, just 35 minutes from Dubrovnik, the drive is pleasant and peaceful as you wander through the many small villages. In the main village of Gruda the silkworm industry is still thriving. Women were and still are the breeders of the silkworms and they used to look after them by having pouches hanging around their necks with the silkworms inside to keep them safe. The threads of silk produced by the silkworms were used to weave their traditional dresses. Today the material is used for purses, wedding gowns and placemats and can be found throughout shops in Cavtat and Dubrovnik.
Konavoski Dvori
Bozidar and Ana took us to one of the restaurants they use on their specialist food and wine tours. The restaurant, Konavoski Dvori, located just outside Gruda on the Ljuta River, offers traditional Croatian food served with waiters dressed in traditional regional dress. The river flows through the restaurant and gives a calming effect to the diners who are enjoying many of the local dishes such as ‘petka’ a veal and lamb dish with potatoes cooked under ‘an iron bell’ in a fire pit filled with hot ashes. Octopus can also be cooked in this manner, but you must call ahead and preorder. Other specialities that they offer on their menu are homemade smoked ham, cheese in olive oil, home baked bread and grilled trout.
On checking the reviews on TripAdvisor we found that it was #1 in the Konavle region. Another reason for us to return.
As it was getting late in the day we headed back towards Dubrovnik but we could not let an opportunity pass to visit the 415 metre high Mount Srdj that towers over Dubrovnik and the Old City. Srdj Mountain can be reached by car or the Cable Car that starts from just above the town near Ploce Gate. For those who want to hike to the top, there is a pathway.
Stunning view over Dubrovnik
The view is stunning over the City and the adjacent islands including Lokrum Island. There is a cafe and restaurant and a museum about the Croatian War of Independence which is located in Fort Imperial that dates back to Napoleonic times.
Our huge thanks go to Bozidar and Ana, who hosted us, for the lovely afternoon of good food, local knowledge, stunning scenery and great company.
For more information on the tours that Bozidar and Ana conduct in and around Dubrovnik click here.
If you enjoyed this blog post, you may enjoy our several other blog posts on Dubrovnik, feel free to share them with your family and friends. This is one incredible destination and we believe it should be on your bucket list.
Why Croatian Wines Won Us Over
Check out TripAdvisor’s Top Hotels for Cavtat
Dubrovnik is one of my favorite places. There are so many amazing things to do around there! Thanks for sharing. The food is so darn good there!
Hi Cherene
Thanks for reaching out. Still salivating about the food!
Merry Christmas to you and your family.
Jane and Duncan