Venice Silversea Cruise

Croatia’s original tourism hotspot continues to pull in the visitors and retains the same sense of allure that so appealed to the aristocrats of the Austro-Hungarian empire, in the early 19th century. They say locals live here slowly – to ensure that they can make the most of everything their city offers them – so don’t be afraid to slow the pace. Indulge in leisurely strolls along Opatija’s expansive seaside promenade – perfect for soaking up the splendour and breathing in deep lungfuls of sea air, as you wander beside waving yacht masts, and colourful vintage hotels and villas. Sitting on the Istrian peninsula, Opatija faces the Kvarner Gulf and is protected by the embrace of the Učka mountain behind, where asparagus grows wild. This charmed location lends Opatija a great year-round climate, with hot summers and mild winters. Lungomare promenade weaves along the coast and begs to be explored at leisure. The seven miles of walkway will take you to Volosko – a dreamy fishing village next to Opatija. Look out for Opatija’s treasured Maiden with a Seagull monument as you stroll. There are plenty of opportunities to catch some shade along the way – duck into the blossoms and splashes of tumbling fountains in Angiolina Park, for example. Or, settle back on a beach, to watch as locals splash in the shallow water, desperately attempting to keep their ball airborne. Slatina beach offers clear swimming waters in the town itself, or Volosko’s pebbled Črnikovica beach may be a little quieter. Fishing boats sway in the pretty harbour, and you can try thick tuna steaks, creamy Istrian truffle-flavoured dishes and seafood risottos served up in seafront restaurants.

One of the most popular of the island escapes sprinkled across the turquoise Adriatic, Hvar is a glorious idyll of hidden coves, electric blue waters and quietly contented port towns. In recent years, it’s gathered something of a reputation as a party island – mainly earned from Hvar Town’s nocturnal exuberances, and the transient day-tripping yachts that drop by. Soak up the energy, exuberance and fine dining, or sidestep the hedonism to explore a richly refined, rural and historic island – utterly spoiled with sunshine, and hidden beaches, which dazzle with colourful intensity. Bike rides along long sweeping coastal paths, boat journeys from pretty harbours, walks through fields of purple lavender – it’s all waiting for you on heavenly Hvar. Relish the sunshine and explore deserted, idyllic inlets, before sharing strong espressos in quiet harbour towns, surrounded by welcoming, sun-wrinkled locals. There’s also rich Medieval history – the sleepy town of Stari Grad is said to be Croatia’s oldest, dating back to 384 BC. Elsewhere, Jelsa is a postcard perfect place – settle in for a bite to eat, with nothing but the sound of harbour waters lapping and sandpaper scraping boats hulls for company. You can walk to look out over glorious views across to Brac, sometimes watching on as thunderstorms rage and flash, an eternity away over the mainland’s crumpled mountains. You’re also just a short ferry ride from the incredible Golden Horn – an evocative spike of brilliant sand which juts out evocatively into the cobalt-blue sea.

Bathing in the Dalmatian Coast’s generous sunshine, and overlooking sparkling, island-studded waters, Split is a city of romantic beauty, built around an extraordinary – still beating – historical heart. The setting may be spectacular, but it’s the Diocletian’s Palace – a Roman remain of incredible scale and detail that is truly bewitching. While immensely historic, Split hasn’t been afraid to move with the times, and the stone walls encasing the streets are alive with buzzy bars and quiet nooks, where bottles of red wine are uncorked and delicious meals devoured. With a natural backdrop of dramatic limestone mountains, and Croatia’s trademark scenic wonders all around, Split is a true heavyweight of the Adriatic. To enter Split’s Diocletian’s Palace is to step into a beautiful time warp. Head first to the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, where a hollow bell tower rockets up, puncturing the sky. The palace’s cellars can shelter you from a little of the heat and give space for everything from wine festivals to souvenir stalls. The perfume of lavender hangs heavy wherever you walk in the old town, where tucked shops offer artisan chocolates, dried figs and freshly-ground coffees. The expansive seafront promenade is all palm trees, buzzing bars and eateries, and further out you’ll find the peace of Marion Hill – where you can climb to some of the best views in town. Or, take the far less exerting wander to Sustipan cemetery’s breathtaking panorama of sea, city and distant islands. Trips to island paradises like Hvar and Brac are tempting, as are longer excursions to sites like Krka National Park’s Waterfalls – where wide terraces of frothing water thunder into cooling, swimmable splash pools below. Nearby Trogir is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering a cosier, no less charming old town and historic port.

Croatia’s crowning glory rears up vertically from the tranquil waters of the Adriatic, and Dubrovnik’s daunting fortresses town is a truly imposing sight to behold. Encircled by chunky stone walls so thick and dramatic they could have been purpose-built as a film set, this city’s unmatched old town is the setting for countless films and shows – from Star Wars to Robin Hood, Game of Thrones and every production in-between seeking a truly authentic medieval flavour. This fantasy fortress’s walls – which are no less than 12-metres thick at places – are certainly not just for show, however. They kept Dubrovnik safe when it was a maritime republic and they were besieged as recently as 1991, when Serbian and Montenegrin forces attacked, as Yugoslavia broke apart. Fully restored now, the stone streets of the city take you through a beautiful mosaic of architectural splendour, baroque churches and splashing fountains. Tapering alleys rocket up from the central boulevard of Stradun, offering spectacular views down, but you’ll need to walk the city walls to appreciate the fortress city’s full scale. Banking up sharply to the rear, you can gaze across an ocean of terracotta roofs and church spires, clamouring together before the sparkling Adriatic. Visit the neighbouring fort of Lovrijenac, for another perspective, or swing up to Srd fortress’s glorious panorama on a cable car. Dubrovnik’s streets are crammed with eateries and candlelit tables, where couples splash wine into glasses and enjoy gnocchi mixed with creamy truffle sauces. Nearby beaches like Banje are also close by, and hidden bays reward the intrepid who venture out beyond the old town. Take sunset drinks to sit back and watch as flotillas of sea kayaks roll by, or sail on the pristine waters to explore island gems like Lokrum – where peacocks are the only permanent residents.

Set on the dazzling Adriatic, where the Krka River opens out into the blue, island-peppered waters, Šibenik is a stone-clad city that oozes Dalmatian medieval charm. Gorgeous Krka National Park gushes with famously picturesque waterfalls close by, while the World Heritage Sites of Croatia’s oldest native town have endless stories to tell. Rising from the shadow of popular neighbours Split and Zadar, Šibenik is successfully establishing itself as an unmissable Dalmatian city thanks to its timeless grace and 30 hidden churches and monasteries – which ring their bells above a wash of terracotta roofs. Dominating the tight streets of the charming old town – where ice cream vendors spoon out fruity flavours, and footsteps rattle along stone streets – is the magnificent Cathedral St. James UNESCO World Heritage site. Taking more than a century to construct, it is built from stone in a Gothic-Renaissance style and adorned with 71 sculptured heads – each displaying its own personality. Look closely, to notice the bullet holes embedded in the door – reminders of the fierce fighting that raged here, during the Croatian War of Independence. St. Michael’s Fortress stands on a hill above the city, providing the perfect viewpoint to see Šibenik rolling towards the stunning archipelago, which punctuates the turquoise Adriatic. Part of the fortress is now used as an open-air stage, forming an ethereal venue for performances. St. Nicholas Fortress is another UNESCO protected site and was built where the monastery of St. Nicholas once stood. Further afield, the beautiful old town of Trogir is close by, along with the Roman ruins of Salona.

A city happy to keep one foot resolutely in its beautiful, illustrious past, Trieste is a treasure, which sits on a historical frontier of civilisations and cultures. Nestled on the coast by the Slovenian border, the city soaked up many influences before returning to Italy in 1954. Wealth as a trading hub helped to shape Trieste’s grand piazzas and soaring artistic architectural achievements. The legendary Bora wind is greeted like an old friend, and it buffs the city in winter. Just like Trieste itself, it will take your breath away. Piazza Unità d’Italia is the grand, central square, and it opens up to the lap of blue waves at one end. Settle in for a quick caffeine hit in this coffee capital – a word of warning, however, most Trieste baristas don’t serve cappuccinos – so plump for a caffè latte instead. The God of the Sea, Neptune, is honoured in a fountain at Piazza del Borsa nearby. Canale Grande is a centrepiece and was built in the 18th century to allow boats to unload their wares and trade. Lined by grandiose, neoclassical buildings, you can enjoy a picturesque stroll by the water. Three pretty bridges span it, while little boats bob and jostle below. Glorious castles crown the area, towering from esteemed vineyards. Don’t miss the fairytale castle of Miramare, which watches over the azure Gulf of Trieste, and looms above glorious gardens. Trieste Cathedral is a constant and reassuring presence for the city, standing on a hilltop overlooking the old town – it features an enchanting chandelier and remarkable painted ceiling.