Discover the coast of DALMATIA

Island-hop your way around Croatia for a lifetime of happy holiday memories, says Elisa Roche

Picture pretty clusters of terracotta-roofed towns and villages, fringed with pinewood forests and surrounded by turquoise water. Not for nothing is this region known as ‘the Mediterranean as it once was’, with a fascinating past that includes periods of rule by the Romans, the Republic of Venice and the Austrian Empire. Croatia’s stunning coastline includes 1,244 islands, only 50 of which are inhabited, and the most luxurious way to explore them is by yacht.

Easy to reach from the UK, with sunshine from May until mid-October, charming Croatia offers the tantalising crystal-blue waters we’re all dreaming of right now. Get around by boat and you’ll find secluded private bays to explore, whether by snorkel or inflatable sunlounger. Later, find a buoy and moor up in ports with cobbled streets, impressive castles, and the perfect mix of bustle and bliss.

All aboard