Island-hop in CROATIA

Explore historic cities and relax on one of 1,244 (yes, really!) sun-drenched islands

- HELENA CARTWRIGHT

Dubrovnik

Famous for its medieval Old Town, dramatic landscapes, and, more recently, for being one of the filming sets of Game of Thrones, Dubrovnik is a simply gorgeous city. As you stroll through its narrow passageways, admiring the gleaming stone buildings, it’s hard to believe that during the Balkan War in the 1990s, bombing caused significant damage to this Croatian city.

Dubrovnik’s main attractions are found in and around the Old Town, encircled by more than a mile of preserved medieval ramparts. Nowadays, the walls teem not with soldiers but with tourists. Catch the cable car to the top of Srd Hill and enjoy breathtaking vistas of the city and its mountain-backed Dalmatian coast.

Hop over to… Lokrum

Fancy escaping the city for the afternoon? Ferries run to the UNESCO-protected island of Lokrum every 30 minutes during the summer months, where you can see the beautiful botanical gardens with palm trees, cacti, and eucalyptus trees and wildlife, including peacocks and giant rabbits.