When you see it first, in person, you’ll recognize that skyline immediately. Maybe it’s from a Mediterranean dream, or perhaps an episode of “Game of Thrones.” Either way, it’s one of those seaside cities that evokes a strong response. You’ll do more than simply recognize its beauty. Yes, the view is breathtaking and jaw-dropping. These well-worn clichés remain entirely fitting. But it goes beyond that.

Dubrovnik is fascinating. It’s surprisingly small, with a city population of a little over 40,000 people. But it has an Old City—often called the “Pearl of the Adriatic”—so important it’s been preserved as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The kind of place where, by simply wandering—turning left, turning right—you’ll discover empires and battles and secret places and hidden corners, and so much more.