As the ferry pulled out of the dock to head back to Dubrovnik, I knew I had to return here. If you could see my face - it had FOMO (fear of missing out) written all over it, but at this point in the trip, I had to balance FOMO with the need to rest and not feel like I needed a vacation after my vacation. We only spent two hours on the Island - not nearly enough time to explore every trail.

If you are visiting in summer, I recommend sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, water, and comfortable walking shoes. If you plan to swim here, pack a beach towel along with your bathing suit. We ere misinformed and did not come prepared.

When we told locales, we were planning to visit Lokrum; we received mixed reviews. However, having thoroughly explored Dubrovnik (or so we thought) and canceling our plans to visit Split, we decided terrible reviews be damned. On our last day in Dubrovnik, we headed out to Lokrum. It cost 150 Kunas for the roundtrip ferry, which departs from Oldtown. Having been to Lokrum, I get why those who love it, love it.

Besides being the site of several games of thrones scenes (so we have been told), Lokrum is a different world. It is hard to describe; parts of it seem unreal, and there were several moments of awe. There is a botanical garden on-site, and peacocks and rabbits roam freely in some regions. Several hiking trails on rock formations that were deposited around 85 million years ago; you have got incredible views of the Adriatic Sea and Dubrovnik, and you can float the dead sea. 

It is impossible to have a proper guide to this place. I will encourage you to visit if you are in Dubrovnik. Plan to spend half a day to experience all of it. There are restaurants and bars on-site if you don't want to bother packing a picnic. Explore as many trails as possible - each leads to something beautiful and unexpected and in a hurry to see it all - don't forget to be present at the moment.