V-Flyer

After a very hectic time in Dubrovnik, it was time to head back to the airport and head home. One thing we learnt was that the cost of taxis are very variable in Croatia even when on a meter. Oddly we can't do on line check-in for this flight, and even at the airport it is desk check-in only (even though there are self-service check-in machines).

Bag dropped (heavier than going - think it must have been all the conference material) and boarding card collected.....then off to the lounge. Security was very quick and into duty free to spend the last of the Croatian currency.

There is a shared lounge at Dubrovnik airport - it is on the top floor with a great view over the apron and the surrounding mountains. There is a range of beer/wine (local wine is not very good and can be very variable!) and soft drinsks.....but no real food (just some snacks!).

I was travelling with some older people who wanted to go down in the lift - this is slightly odd as it is actually outside of the screened departure area. However, as soon as you get down to the right level a member of airport staff comes over to escort you through to the departures lounge. Although it is a small airport, it was a bus to the plane. I was in 1F and had the row to myself. There were some very late people, but we were off a bit early.

The flight takes off in a southerly direction, then does a 180 degree turn and head back up the coast - this gives you a great view from 1F of Dubrovnik and the Croatian Islands as you head north.

As the flight leaves at 14:25 it is "afternoon tea" - it was actually quite tasty and the scones were very warm, soft and fluffy! When it was served I was offered tea/coffee or a soft drink.....to which the reply was "maybe something a little stronger such as champagne would be good".

The purser kept the champagne flying throughout the flight and I settled down to watch a rented film on my iPad - a nice way to pass the time heading back to the UK.

We arrived to a very grey, overcast and cold LGW - a very different setting to the one in Dubrovnik which was almost 30, sunny and clear blue skies. I only had a t-shirt, so it was a little chilly for me! It took absolutely ages for the luggage to come through for some reason, but then it was off to the South Terminal to head home on the train.

All in all a very pleasant flight back to the UK. Would recommend Dubrovnik as a place to visit for a long weekend, although it is quite expensive when you get there and the wine can be quiet variable!