Three Places to Experience in Dubrovnik

Suzana Ustabecir went on to achieve her master’s of education in administration and supervision at National Louis University. Suzana Ustabecir of Chicago is an experienced traveler

An educator based in Chicago, Illinois, Suzana Ustabecir has over 15 years of experience in the education field. Suzana Ustabecir’s hobbies include traveling, and she recently visited Dubrovnik, Croatia, often called the “Pearl of the Adriatic.” Three things to experience in this ancient city include: 

1. The City Walls. Dubrovnik is surrounded by massive and ancient castle walls, built from the 13th to 15th centuries to protect against Turkish invaders. Today, visitors can take the mile trek and snap some photos of the city below. 

2. Lokrum Island. An uninhabited island just a 10-minute ferry ride from town, Lokrum is a popular place for sunbathing and hiking. It also boasts botanical gardens and an old monastery to explore. 

3. Franciscan Monastery. Having operated for over 700 years, this ornate monastery lets visitors see ancient laboratory equipment in its museum while also enjoying its architecture. The monastery is located in Old Town on Dubrovnik’s main street.

Places to Visit in Dubrovnik

Some of Suzana Ustabecir’s accomplishments include
starting focus teams that permitted students in grades 3-8 to achieve
 a 70 percent attainment on the NWEA test in both math and
 reading. Suzana Ustabecir, avid traveler

A graduate of National Louis University in Chicago with a master of education in educational leadership, Suzana Ustabecir serves as an instructional effectiveness specialist with Chicago Public Schools. In her free time, Suzana Ustabecir enjoys traveling and has visited Dubrovnik, Croatia.

Known as the Pearl of the Adriatic, Dubrovnik is located on the Dalmatian Coast. Here are a few things to see and do in this coastal city:

- Stradun. This 300-meter pedestrian walkway in the center of the city offers a number of restaurants and cafes. The white limestone pavement was laid in 1468, but many of the buildings along the walkway were constructed in the 17th century after the earthquake of 1667. 

- Fort Lovrijenac. Nicknamed Dubrovnik’s Gibraltar, this fortress dates back to the 11th century and features a gateway and two drawbridges to protect against invaders. 

- The cable car to Mount Srd. Scaling the incline over Old Town, this orange cable car gives riders a great view of the Adriatic Sea. At the top of the mountain, visitors can eat at the Panorama restaurant while they enjoy the view.

The Colorful Island of Burano in Venice, Italy

Suzana Ustabecir created a comprehensive strategic
plan and implemented a number of instructional development
 methods, including training programs
and pedagogical focus teams. 

Beginning her teaching career as a magnet cluster lead teacher in the Chicago Public Schools, Suzana Ustabecir went on to serve as a principal, administrator, and, most recently, an instructional effectiveness specialist with the same school system. Suzana Ustabecir enjoys traveling abroad during her free time, citing Burano near Venice, Italy, as one of her favorite destinations. 

An island in the northern part of the Venetian Lagoon approximately 40 minutes from Venice by boat, Burano is known for its colorfully painted homes. With a population of around 3,000, the densely built island is crisscrossed by canals laden with fishing boats that are just as colorful as the buildings. It is also well known for its narrow streets, numerous footbridges, and the famous leaning bell tower at the Church of San Martino. 

Burano is also known for its fine Burano lace. Exported around the world, Burano lace is a source of livelihood for the island’s residents that dates back to the 16th century. For a more comprehensive history of the lace, the Museo del Merletto (Museum of Lacemaking), found in the historic Podesta of Torcello, is open to tourists.

The Astonishing City of Dubrovnik

One of Suzana Ustabecir's favorite travel
destinations | Suzana Ustabecir is an avid
world traveler in her free time.

A professional educator in Chicago, Suzana Ustabecir has an admirable track record of elevating a public school’s performance under her leadership as principal. In her time away from school, Suzana Ustabecir enjoys traveling. One of the most memorable places she has visited is the Old City of Dubrovnik in Croatia. 

Located on the Dalmatian coast, the walled city of Dubrovnik was a naval powerhouse beginning in the 13th century. At the height of its glory in the 16th century, it had one of the world’s largest merchant naval fleets. The inhabitants of Dubrovnik became very wealthy and led worldly lives. 

They built magnificent buildings, palaces, monasteries, fountains, and splendid Baroque churches protected by strong fortifications. Today, one can wander into the pedestrian-only Old City and see these astonishing structures, experience the marbled streets, and walk along the massive walls that protected the city. 

Museums filled with artifacts reveal the city’s storied past. To top it off, visitors can head for the beaches and take a dip in the inviting waters of the Adriatic.

Suzana Ustabecir - Accomplished School Administrator

Suzana Ustabecir's photograph from a recent trip to Dubrovnik, Croatia. Away from her professional activities, Suzana Ustabecir enjoys traveling.