The four and a half hour sailing from Split to Dubrovnik, calling in at the islands of Brač, Hvar, Korčula and Mljet, was the most lovely journey under a sunny sky.

We were both excited to see Dubrovnik and our first sight of the impressive walls of the city was only bettered when we entered through Pile Gate and saw the stunning white stone of the buildings and streets of the old city before us.

After the extensive damage it received during the homeland war in 1991-92, the city has been restored with much care. It is a beautiful place with a relaxed and open feel.

We found our room in one of the steep, stepped streets in the north east quarter of the city. A long wander inside the ramparts offered us views of hidden lanes and courtyards including a basketball court with some guys getting a bit of shooting practice. We reckoned their view of the ramparts and the Adriatic constituted the best view from any basketball courts we had ever seen!