Today’s excursion was “Dubrovnik Walking Tour”:

A Tour Through Paradise on Earth – George Bernard Shaw famously called it “paradise on earth,” and you will see why during a visit to the Old Town district. Meet your guide and transfer by motor coach to the heart of the city; witness its beauty up close as you enter the cobblestoned Old Town on foot through the historic Pile Gate. Follow the Stradun — the marbled main pedestrian way that gleams from centuries of footsteps—to the Dominican Monastery, where you can view a fine collection of Renaissance paintings. You will also pass the Sponza Palace, the Church of St. Blaise and the 15th-century Onofrio’s Fountain. After your tour, enjoy free time to explore more on your own before returning to your awaiting ship.

The Old Town in Dubrovnik is history blended with tourism - history preserved in the old walls, buildings and artefacts, while there are shops everywhere - on the main streets as well as the narrow side alleys.

People still live in the Old Town, as was evidenced by washing hanging from balconies, but all of the retail was there purely for tourists - cafes, restaurants, gift shops.

But that did not detract from the splendour of the preserved history. Tourism ensures that it is in Dubrovnik’s best interests to ensure that the Old Town is looked after as much as possible.

In addition to providing the included excursion, Viking also provided free shuttle coaches running between the port and the Old Town. This allowed passengers who had visited the Old Town on an excursion to have some free time before returning.