Virgin Voyages - Adriatic Sea & Greek Gems
Ports: Dubrovnik, Split, Kotor, and Corfu
My first time with Virgin Voyages and in Europe, June 2024. I was excited because I’ve always been curious about the history in Europe: Greece, Croatia, and Montenegro. Not sure why Eddie, Sai, and I picked these ports but if I remember correctly it was because of Game of Thrones. Personally I’ve never watched it before, but I’m always down for an adventure. I think we picked the wrong month to go though because the heat was killing me. The port towns were beautiful but it was hard to really take in the scenery with the heat. We were not able to book as many excursions as we wanted because it was either sold out or not enough time. That’s the one bad thing about cruising, the amount of time a ship will dock at each port. This part of the blog is where I’ll be sharing where we ate and what we did. Please note: Everything is from our point of view and our opinions. Not everyone will have the same thoughts and experiences as us. Enjoy!
Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you book or purchase through them—at no extra cost to you! I only recommend products and services I personally use. Table of Contents
Restaurants
Exploring Dubrovnik, Split, & Kotor
Dubrovnik, Croatia - Cable Car & The City Walls
Split, Croatia - Krka National Park Tour
Virgin Voyages Resilient Lady: Transportation Guide for Adriatic Sea & Greek Gems (June 2024)
Dubrovnik, Croatia - Free Shuttle to the Old Town
Virgin Voyages provided a complimentary shuttle from the port to the Old Town’s historic Pile Gate. The ride took about 10-15 minutes each way. During the ride we took in the scenic views of the coastline before we even arrived near the drop off point. Taxis and rideshares were available at the port but those cost extra money. Once we got into the old town, we realized how walkable everything is.
Split, Croatia - Walkable Access
Virgin Voyages docked close to the city center and most people walked from the port to the town within 10-15 mins. The city’s waterfront promenade, Riva, was easy to explore by foot. There were taxis and public transportations available at the terminal.
Kotor, Montenegro - Tender Boat to the Old Town
This port transportation was really rocky and nauseating for me. It was a tender port, VV had to anchor in the bay and we took a short tender boat ride to the dock, which was included in the fare. The ride itself was scenic and quick but really rocky to me. No other transportation is needed since the walled Old Town is easy to walk around. Local Taxis and private tours are available near the dock.
Corfu, Greece - Free Shuttle to Corfu Old Town
A free 10 minute shuttle bus is provided from the cruise terminal to Corfu’s Old Town. The shuttle dropped us off near the Spianada Square which was a walking distance to the charming alleys, fortresses, and cafes. Taxis and local buses are available, but we didn’t really need it since everything was walkable in town.
Where to Eat in Dubrovnik, Kotor, & Corfu : Restaurants in Virgin Voyages Ports
Where to Eat - Dubrovnik
Dubrovnik City Wall Cafe: You will definitely need to stop here when touring the city walls. There’s a little cafe stop on top of the wall The drinks were more expensive but it was refreshing after trekking up and down the turret walls. Limited seating indoors, basically just grab any seats that are empty. The drinks are seasonal based on what they have available according to the cashier, so some things on the menu, you couldn’t actually order.
Dubravka 1836
Address: Brsalje ul. 1, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
This place was packed. We got lucky enough to sit at the edge overlooking the walls. We ordered the seafood risotto and let me tell you, I fell in love with it.It was rich and creamy and I could taste the perfectly cooked seafood. The carpaccio melted in my mouth and perfectly paired with thinly grated cheese on top. The mussels were plump and juicy. Paired with the acidic and flavorful wine sauce. The octopus was perfectly grilled and super tender. I can taste why this restaurant is popular. This restaurant is filled with tourists and it’s directly next to the west entrance of the Old City center. We made a reservation a few weeks before. I can see why the wait can be long.
Gradska Kavana Arsenal Restaurant
Address: Ul. Pred Dvorom 1, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
I was still alittle hungry after walking around. I’ll be honest the food wasn’t as good as Dubravka 1836 but some of it tasty. The beef tartare which felt too warm and mushy to me. The venison was delicious tender and juicy. It was my first time trying it. The black squid ink risotto didn’t pack much flavor. The price is a bit higher since it was in the middle of the town. The views were okay. You’ll have a view of the Old City Port but people walk by and obstruct the views.
Peppino’s Gelato Factory
Address: Ul. od Puča 9, 20000, Dubrovnik, Croatia
Quick stop before heading back on Virgin Voyages. There was a line and when there’s a line, it must be good. The Gelato was not stacked super high and on display. It was covered and all seemed to be naturally colored. None of that neon green pistachio. We had the tiramisu flavor and it was creamy, nice bitter coffee flavor, balanced with the perfect amount of sweetness.
Where to Eat - Kotor
Old Winery Wine Bar
Address: 483 Zanatska, Kotor, Montenegro
Cozy small wine bar in Old Town. All the seats were taken by locals and tourist. We drank outside, it felt very laid back. White and red wine selections are from local wineries. We tried 3 different wines and I’ll be honest, I’m not the best wine connoisseur, but it tasted good and really strong. They also gave a small charcutier board to pair with the wines.
Bastion 1
Address: Gymnasium building, 517, Kotor, Montenegro
This restaurant was recommended by a local as we were walking around trying to find something to eat. I guess we looked lost enough and he heard our conversation and told us about it. Bastion had a very rustic and cozy atmosphere. The staff was friendly and attentive even when there was a game happening. The seafood risotto, rizoto od morskih plodova, was rich and creamy. Shrimp pasta, spageti sa gamborima, has garlicky light savory sauce while the pasta still had an al dente bite to it. We had 2 other dishes but forgot their names. A shrimp dish and an stuffed squid dish, both were so flavorful. I wish I remembered the names.
Where to Eat - Corfu
Paleo Grourio Cafe Bar
Address: Old Fortress, Corfu Town 491 00 Greece
Randomly stopped by this little cafe at Old Fortress of Corfu because it was so scorching hot that day I was so dehydrated. I had my first aperol spritz. It was not what I was expecting since I really love wine. Aperol spritz was too bitter for me and the citrus overpowered any sweetness. I should’ve read the ingredients beforehand. Eddie had the corfu beer ionian pilsner. He said it tasted like a corona. It was light and refreshing.
H Nitta Tou Nannou
Address: Evgeniou Voulgareos 12, Kerkira 491 00, Greece
Quick lunch before heading back to the ship. Randomly stopped by the place because we saw people eating and the food looked tasty. We ordered the gyro and a beef kebab plate. Both were delicious and great portions. For drinks, Eddie got the royal ionian ginger ale lemon. He loved it. I got the orange fanta because I saw someone drink it and it was a lighter orange tone than the US. In my opinion, it tasted better and it wasn’t too sweet.
Exploring Dubrovnik, Split, & Kotor
Dubrovnik - Cable Car & The City Walls
Split - Krka National Park
Kotor - Blue Cave Boat Tour
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Originally we had booked a kayaking tour on Viator for Dubrovnik, but the city banned kayaking around June 2024. We were notified a month before and given a refund thankfully. With that out of the way, we just ended up walking the City Walls and going up the cable car for a scenic view.
Dubrovnik Cable Car - I would say it’s a must do experience because there’s a panoramic view of Old Town and the Adriatic Sea at the top. We were able to buy tickets at the lower station using cash but you can use a card too. We were packed inside a car with other people. Good thing the ride itself was quick. The scenery itself was beautiful and there were different levels to take pictures from. It was quite crowded though. The upper station had a restaurant with terrace seating (we didn’t go, the prices were too much), souvenir shops, and a restroom. It would’ve been a great place to relax and take in the view but the June heat wave was too much for me. Would I go again? Probably not but it was a fun experience to do it at least once.
Dubrovnik City Walls - Let me tell you, this wall is no joke. I was tired just walking half of it in the heat. I didn’t realize how steep it can get and the uneven paths really took my breath away. We paid an entrance fee before starting and it wasn’t cheap. The views were incredible though. I wished we avoided traveling during the summer months, but the cruise prices were just too good to pass up.
Split, Croatia - Krka National Park Tour
Krka National Park - We got super lucky when a spot opened up for Krka National Park the day before. It’s a good thing to keep checking for updates on itineraries on the Virgin Voyages App. KNP was so fun to explore on this 3 hour tour. The trails were well maintained and made it for an easy scenic hike. We were even more in luck when we found out there was a big football (soccer) game that day and the park wasn’t crowded. The park was so beautiful, filled with lush greenery and stunning waterfalls. The waters were crystal clear and had shades of blue and green. Lots of butterflies and dragonflies made it feel like something out of a fairytale. Only if we weren’t on a time limit, I would’ve loved to stay there longer to relax.
The one good thing about booking excursions directly with Virgin Voyages, even if the tour is running late, the ship won’t leave you.
Kotor, Montenegro - Blue Cave Boat Tour
Blue Cave Boat Tour - This was one of the highlights of the trip for me. We booked a boat tour in Kotor 2 months in advance though Viator because it was a very cheap option for two.
The boat ride took us through the Bay of Kotor, where we saw the medieval villages along the shoreline. One of the stops was at Our Lady of the Rocks Island. The tour guide gave us a lot about the history and surrounding waters, but the island itself was surrounded by so many boats that ours had to circle back around for us. The tour guide filled us in on the history of surrounding towns and landmarks as we rode through to the next destination, The Blue Cave. If you get motion sickness easily, I suggest you take some pills to help, because the waves were choppy as we waited our turn outside the cave entrance. The Blue Cave was beautiful. The water glowed an incredible shade of blue and reflected onto the cave walls. Outside of the cave, people were able to jump off the boat and swim around to enjoy the cool water, but had to be mindful of the passing boats. I didn’t jump because I can’t swim and I forgot to bring extra clothes. The entire experience was bumpy but fun.
Essential Packing List for Exploring
Packing List for 1 Day of Exploring
Passport or ID - Always have your passport or any government-issued ID on you incase of emergencies
Day Bag - A lightweight anti-theft bag.
SKYSPER Sling Bag Link HereMoney Belt - Safely store your passport, cards, and extra cash in busy towns. Never know what might happen.
Daitet Money Belt Link HereCash / Debit or Credit Card - Many local vendors and cafes take cash but use a debit or credit card for much larger purchases. We used cash most of the time.
Phone - Use Airalo for an eSIM and google maps to navigate through the towns.
Portable Phone Charger - Make sure to never run out of battery. Always keep an eye on the time. Cruise ships will not wait for anyone.
Anker GaNPrime Power Bank Link HerePhone Tripod - or selfie stick if you don’t want to ask anyone to take your picture.
My go to phone tripod: EUCOS 62" Phone Tripod Link HereCamera
Sunscreen/Sunblock - The Mediterranean sun was too intense for me. I kept reapplying sunblock throughout the day.
Comfortable Walking Shoes - Cobblestone streets and uneven roads at these towns. Make sure to wear comfy shoes and socks!
Kizik Shoes Athens Link HereHat - Protect yourself from the sun.
Sunglasses - Suggest getting UV-blocking sunglasses. The summer sun is way too bright.
Water Bottle - Stay hydrated!