The marble streets of Dubrovnik have been polished to a gleaming smoothness by the millions of feet that have walked over them. And on a typical morning in tourist season, it can seem like all those millions are still here, as a number of cruise ships and uncountable bus tours disgorge their eager visitors into the stunning high-walled city.

The port on the Adriatic Sea, that was off the tourist map during the Communist era and crippled in the 1990s by the war and its aftermath, has certainly made a rebound in welcoming travelers. Little wonder, because the intact Renaissance city built of sturdy marble is a treasure meant to be appreciated for its beauty.