Croatia. Wow.

If you are ever considering escaping the big city life for a weekend to Dubrovnik, Croatia, do not hesitate at the higher than normal cost of flights across Europe.  There is a reason for the price, and you will understand when you arrive. Croatia, my friend, is damn near paradise.

I promise, that you and your travel companions will quickly forget the flight or ferry cost as you climb the thousands of but burning stairs, contemplate the cliffs begging you to jump over the edge, swim out 30 feet and stare through the crystal clear water at the sea floor, and explore the Old City by night attempting to photograph the marble floors that beam so bright you feel as if you feel as if you are walking on water.

The pebbled beaches are a nice treat, where freckled skin appreciates the "sun covers" built into each chair, and you can return home without sand spilling out of your beach bag.

The mornings that you spend on your balcony in the warm sun, enjoying breakfast and one too many coffees because you cannot force yourself to leave that spot, won't seem real when you return home.

Walking the towering walls of the Old City is a must.  You will be thankful you go early to beat the midday heat as you spend twice the amount of time you expected to, in a constant battle as whether to look over one side to take in the city's red terra-cotta roof tiles, sparkling marble floors, or the other side to take in the clear Adriatic sea and its penetrating blue waves.

Despite the climb, you will hike to the cleverly named Lady Peepee restaurant to take in the sunset, only somewhat surprised to be greeted by a statue of a lady peeing... And you will stay out late, because Croatia by night does not disappoint.  Especially when you peak through a curve in the Old City walls, only to find this little bar below balancing on the very edge of the City's cliffs.

And as if things weren't perfect enough, on your last night you will stumble upon green apple ice-cream - come to mama.