A necklace of beaches

Cavtat’s sleepy coastline is a mix of quaint little cafés and pebble beaches. It sits right in the middle of a horseshoe-shaped bay, making the warm swills of the water especially calm for swimming. It’s all linked together by a charming coastal path, which runs through pine woods.

A trip back in time

The town was built in the Middle Ages, on the site of a Roman city. Have a coffee in the town square, and take in 15th-century architecture and Baroque church. Plus you’re just 40 minutes by boat from the fairytale city of Dubrovnik.

Lots of island-hopping

This corner of Croatia is blessed with hundreds of islands. Lokrum, just a boat ride away from Dubrovnik, is a real treat – the Emperor of Mexico once used it as a holiday home, and it’s still inhabited by his peacocks! Think peaceful forests and gorgeous lakes as well as a Benedictine monastery.