Slovenia

Slovenia is one of Europe's smallest countries, and shares a border with Austria, Croatia, Italy and Hungary. It has a tiny stretch of coastline along which you'll find two picturesque Venetian-influenced cities, Piran and Koper, some protected nature reserves and a lovely stretch of beach at Portoroz.Lake Bled, Slovenia from iStock

Most people find themselves in the pretty, lakeside capital, Ljubljana, which has a lively student population and a medieval castle, and is close to the gorgeous Lake Bled. Outdoor types will enjoy the Julian Alps, which boast some of Europe's best hiking, the Soca Valley, with rafting on the River Soca, and the caves at Skocjan and Postojna. Spa breaks are also popular in Slovenia, and there are currently more than 15 natural thermal spas.

Beaches in Slovenia
With just 42 kilometres of coastline at the top of Croatia's Istrian Peninsula, there aren't many choices of coastal beach. The best place to go is Portoroz, a proper seaside holiday resort with countless hotels, restaurants and a long stretch of beach to boot. Lakes Bled and Bohinj are nippy but have pleasant grass beaches around their edges on which to relax and soak up the sun.


Sightseeing in Slovenia
The most visited place in Slovenia is the pretty capital, Ljubljana, which is overlooked by an imposing 13th-century medieval castle. Climb up to the ramparts to get panoramic views over the compact city, then visit other sights including St Nicholas Cathedral, the ornate Dragon Bridge and the National Gallery and Museum of Modern Art. Relax in Tivoli Park or Preseren Square. Other cities to put on the must-see list include the culturally rich Maribor and the spectacular medieval splendour of Piran on the coast.


Triglav National Park combines Slovenia's highest mountain (Mount Triglav) with lakes, forests and alpine meadows for outdoor enthusiasts. This includes picturesque Lake Bled, an hour from Ljubljana, where you can take a boat out to the island and visit its pretty church.


The illuminated Postojna Cave is well worth a visit; resembling echoing cathedrals, it is the second-largest cave system in the world. Thrill-seekers can go white-water rafting down the Sava River, while chill-seekers should visit one of the country's many curative spas.


Family activities in Slovenia
Swimming and boating on the lakes should appeal to many children. Horse lovers will enjoy visiting Lipica, where dazzling white Lipizzaner horses are bred and put through their exacting paces.


Adventurous kids will get a thrill white-water rafting, while no less thrilling rides are on offer at Atlantis Water World. Ljubljana's zoo is also worth a day trip.


Day trips in Slovenia
In such a compact country, most places are a day trip from the capital, although such is the beauty of many of the attractions that you may find yourself wanting to stay longer. Scenic Lake Bled is only an hour from Ljubljana, in the heart of the Triglav National Park, while the mysterious Lake Cerknica, which disappears into the underground system of caves on which it rests during the summer months, is worth a visit for its sheer weirdness.


Eating out in Slovenia
The Slovenians have a penchant for Italian-style food, which is unsurprising given the proximity of the two countries, so you'll find plenty of pizza and pasta dishes on the menu. The proximity of Austria and Hungary has also had an influence and you'll find your fair share of hearty soups, stews and meaty dishes reflecting this.


On the coast, you'll be treated to fresh seafood, while in the mountains you're more likely to be tasting cured hams, sausage and stodgy doughnuts and dumplings. The local wines are also delicious.


Nightlife in Slovenia
There are around 50,000 students in the capital, so you'll always find a vibrant bar or club featuring live music there. It's also a culturally rich city, with opera, ballet and two orchestras to suit the arty crowd.


If you want a thumping beach resort, it's got to be Portoroz, Slovenia's equivalent of Benidorm, where the bars are open all hours and there's an international crowd, including an increasing number of Brits to socialise with.


Shopping in Slovenia
Appropriate souvenirs to bring back include lace, baskets, wooden utensils, ceramics and pottery, while jewellery and beeswax products make excellent gifts. There is a flea market in Ljubljana on Sunday mornings along the banks of the River Ljubljanica, but normal shops are closed from Saturday lunchtime until Monday, so if you want to go to the shops and you're only in town for the weekend, make sure you shop on Saturday morning. The exception is BTC City shopping which is open all day on Saturdays and on Sundays until 1pm.

Gozo

Measuring just nine by four miles, hilly and rural Gozo will give you a real break from the daily grind. This sleepy little place is one of a trio of islands that make up the Maltese archipelago, along with popular Malta and virtually uninhabited Comino.
Malta is the historic crossroad of the Mediterranean, with a 7,000-year history peppered by Roman, Phoenician, Byzantine, Ottoman and Arabian influences. There's also the British influence, with Malta only gaining independence in 1964. Renting a farmhouse is the ultimate in relaxation in this safe, rural idyll and there are plenty of three and four-star hotels too, as well as the impressive five-star Kempinski San Lawrenz Resort and Spa. Gozo is ideal for a short haul Med break.

Beaches in Gozo
Ramla il-Hamra is the island's largest, most unspoilt haven, with rich red sand and shallow waters.
Xlendi is a popular resort, even though is has just a small sandy beach - it's common to swim off the rocks beneath the watchtower at the mouth of the bay.
Marsalforn is Gozo's most popular summer resort with a pleasant-enough pebbly beach.
Comino has three secluded beach havens - Santa Marija Bay, San Niklaw Bay and Bejn il-Kmiemen, or the Blue Lagoon.

Sightseeing in Gozo
The hub of Gozo is Victoria, a name introduced in 1897 for Queen Victoria's Jubilee, but locals still refer to the capital as Rabat. The heart of the action is the main square, It-Tokk, a lively marketplace every morning and a gathering place by night.
Victoria's fortified citadel is aptly called the Crown of Gozo and is home to the cathedral, the Gozo Museum of Archaeology, the Folklore Museum and the Natural History Museum - all of moderate interest.
The Inland Sea and the Azure Window are just some of Gozo's geologically stunning effects. The UNESCO-listed Ggantija Temples at Xaghra date back to 3600BC.Family attractions in Gozo
Boat trips, old forts and ancient temples will keep the more curious minds occupied. Gozitans love children, so there's always a family-friendly atmosphere in cafes and restaurants.
Try the adventure of a jeep safari or visits to Gozo's caves, such as Calypso's Cave at Xaghra, said to be where she charmed Ulysses into staying in Gozo for seven years.
Time on Malta will be a must too, with its Toy Museum, Mediterraneo Marine Park and Splash and Fun Park at Bahar ic-Cahaq.

Day trips around Gozo
Head over to Malta to explore the ancient capital of Valetta, or in contrast, virtually uninhabited Comino is a lovely spot for boat trips and swimming.
Warm climate, clear waters, lack of tides or currents, and abundant marine life make this a great place for experienced or new divers and the Blue Hole is a world-famous dive spot. Some of the best dives are off the northwest coast, as well as at wrecks off the south coast such as MV Xlendi and MV Karwela.

Eating out in Gozo
This is a sleepy island, but there is plenty of choice in Marsalforn, wonderful seafood in Xlendi, and more familiar and international cuisine like Chinese and Indian is available in Victoria.
The local speciality of rabbits stewed in wine may not be to everyone's taste, but do try the pastizzi, little puff-pastry pockets filled with ricotta cheese or vegetables.
Order an abundant Maltese food platter with olives, capers, tomatoes, goats' cheese, Maltese bread and sun dried tomatoes, or other local specialities such as octopus stew with spaghetti. Gozo honey is delicious.

Nightlife in Gozo
Nightlife is not as prevalent as on Malta, but Victoria and Marsalforn certainly hold their own in terms of bars.
Gozo also has a wonderful secret - La Grotta. On the road between Victoria and Xlendi Bay, this summer club has been noted as one of the most beautiful in the world, with outdoor dancefloor and a bars and a restaurant in a large natural cave.

Shopping in Gozo
Victoria will suit most shopping needs. For souvenirs, Gozitans are grafters and crafters so you will see a high standard of quality about their craftworks and traditional products - from fine glassware, to lacework, silver filigree jewellery and pottery, to local wine.

Sorrento

The place of legend from where sirens sang to lure ancient mariners to meet a rocky doom, Sorrento is now a fashionable place to holiday with a picturesque clifftop location overlooking the Bay of Naples.
On southern Italy's Amalfi Coast, beautiful Sorrento boasts lovely shops, great places to eat and really lovely people. This Neapolitan Riviera town is also close to some of Italy's most famed historic sites, such as Pompeii, frozen in time when Mount Vesuvius erupted.
Since 1997, when the area set out to market itself as a wedding destination, many British couples have come here to tie the knot - and the area has grown recently as a fave Brit hot spot.

Beaches in Sorrento
If you're looking for long stretches of talc-like sand don't come here. Sorrento does have little Punta del Capo, Positano has a little beach, as does Amalfi - get there early to secure a couple of the regimentally-arranged sun loungers.
What you will find everywhere are lots of piers extending into the water - again, space is at a premium.

Sightseeing in Sorrento
The city's walls date back to the Greeks, whilst Sorrento's Saint Francis's 14th century convent is well worth a look and the ornate interior of the town's cathedral is beautiful.
A former palace houses the gardens and museum of Correale di Terranova, stuffed with statues, antiques and Italian art.
It's well worth visiting at the end of September for the annual Sorrento wine festival.

Family attractions in Sorrento
Sorrento tends to suit couples more than families. However, if your brood love pizza, boat trips, clambering over historic ruins and winding round hairpin bends on a road-trip to remember - then bring them here for a sophisticated family holiday.

Day trips in Sorrento
Positano's sweetie-coloured houses cascade down to the sea, while climbing wistful Amalfi's intricate little streets reveals wonderful boutiques and the Duomo, the town's heart-aching 10th century church.
Peaceful Ravello is perched even higher than Amalfi, so the views are more spectacular still or get the hydrofoil to Naples - Italy's third most-populated city and home to the brilliant Archaeological Museum.
Boat trips from Sorrento's harbour leave for the islands of Capri, with its famed Blue Grotto, and lush Ischia, with pretty coastal and hillside villages, thermal springs and great seafood.
Go on a wine-tasting tour of the surrounding Campania region, or walkers will love the Amalfi Coast's most scenic walk, Sentieri dei Degli, or 'Path of the Gods'.
Visit the sites of Pompeii and Herculaneum, both frozen in AD79 when ash and lava erupting from Mount Vesuvius encased the Roman towns forever.

Eating in Sorrento
Delicious Italian food served on wonderful terrace restaurants or simple trattorias and pizzerias - pizza was invented at nearby Naples - you can't go wrong.
Sorrentine cuisine is famous for seafood, buffalo mozzarella, red peppers, olives and lemons grown in abundance here. Gnocchi all Sorrentina is a waist-busting dish with a delicious tomato sauce, basil and mozzarella.
Try the white Falanghina wine or the red Taurasi, or Lacrima Christi, (Tears of Christ), one of the most famous red and white wines produced in Campania.
Polish off the meal with a local limoncello liqueur - Sorrento is famous for this - grab ice cream at a local gelateria or try local Sorrentine 'cream horns', a decadent treat.

Nightlife in Sorrento
Sorrento won't disappoint anyone looking for 'the sweet life', la dolce vita. Corso Italia and Piazza Tasso is the area to head after dark as young locals zip around on their Vespas.
Sorrento has become very popular with British tourists so don't be surprised if you see your neighbour enjoying a drink at one of the 'English' bars or restaurants. Go down the 'Drains' an area that's a maze of medieval backstreet bars and restaurants. For somewhere quieter, stay at the nearby village of Sant-Agata.
Sorrento has a wonderful July season of classical concerts, or book up for a concert or a ballet at Teatro San Carlo in Naples, one of the country's most beautiful theatres.

Shopping in Sorrento
Sorrento offers the best shopping along the Amalfi Coast, from Via San Cesareo's quaint shops to Corso Italia's boutiques. There's a weekly Tuesday market.
Local goodies include embroidery, lace, cameos and of course - limoncello.

Sardinia

A sophisticated Mediterranean island, Sardinia offers more than merely sensational beaches and transluscent, turqouise seas. Add fantastic cuisine, historical attractions, numerous activities and stunning scenery to its alluring mix.
While Costa Smeralda steals the limelight thanks to its pinky-white beaches and upmarket hotels, bars and restaurants, Sardinia has plenty of alternative and affordable resorts elsewhere. Consider the quieter Costa Verde or Costa Rei beaches instead.
Whether you're seeking a spa break, sailing adventure, or a family holiday, Sardinia will more than fit the bill.

Beaches in Sardinia
Named after its dazzling emerald-coloured seas, the Costa Smeralda is the country's most celebrated stretch of coastline. Stretching for 55km, it boasts more than 80 bays, coves and beaches on the island's north-east coast. A cluster of hotels means this region is the most developed on the island.
Toursits also flock to bustling Alghero on the north west coast, which has a five kilometre long white sandy beach, port and a marina. Chia in the south is renowned for its white sand dunes while Costa Rei on the south east coast is considered to be among Italy's finest beaches.

Sightseeing in Sardinia
Cagliari is the island's capital and gateway to the south coast. Sandwiched between the sea and the mountains, the city is distinguished by its medieval walled town called Castello, which offers museums, an impressive cathedral, city hall and Belgrano Palace.
Nora in the south features well-preserved Roman ruins including a bath house and amphitheatre.
Picturesque Alghero has many Catalan influences. Wander along its ancient ramparts, look out towers and nearby vineyards. Below the old town's fortifications, modern yachts, pleasure craft and traditional fishing vessels jostle for position in the harbour.
La Cinta beach, one of the wildest and most unspoilt on the island, lies close to Stagno di San Teodoro, a marshland area which is also a wildlife habitat.Family attractions in Sardinia
Cala Gonone on the dramatic east coast is great for boat trips to nearby coves, grottos, rock pools and isoloated beaches. Inland lies mountains, lakes and waterfalls.
There's a natural marine shelter and sea turtle rescue centre at Nora Lagoon.
Enjoy a ride on the Green Train which billows through breathtaking scenery from forests and lakes past coastlines and historical attractions. Three scenic routes are available - from Palau to Tempio in the north, Bosa to Macomer in the centre and Arbatax to Mandas in the east.
The untouched Marmilla table-top mountain, which is home to wild horses, offers easy walking routes for families and children.

Day trips in Sardinia
From Alghero, visit Neptune's Grotto featuring stalactites, stalagmites and an underground lake. They can be seen on a boat or on foot from Capo Caccia but this involves a 654 step descent. History lovers will discover several Nuraghic sites in the area. These stone conical towers date back to the Bronze Age civilisation.
Enjoy a boat trip from Palau to the La Maddalena archipelago where you may be lucky to spot frolicking dolphins en route. Once there, you can go horse-riding, play golf or indulge in watersports.Day trips are also possible to the French island of Corsica.
Enjoy a bumpy jeep safari from the dramatic cliffs at Villasimius to Costa Rei for stunning sea views. Or visit the Timi Aama salt water lake where you may spot pink flamingos.

Eating out in Sardinia
Dining options range from cheap and cheerful pizzerias to sophisticated restaurants. Specialiaties include fish and seafood such as sea urchins and shell fish, as well as wild game. Tuck into local dishes such as sausages, ham, cheese, spit-roasted suckling pig, pancakes drizzled with honey and wash it down with local wine. Wine and limoncello spirit are popular.
In Alghero, due to the Catalan influence, Spanish tapas features heavily on many menus. Saridian pastries are mouth-watering - try seadas, which is a hot fritter filled with fresh cheese and grated lemon and dusted with sugar or honey. Another speciality is a nutty nougat mixed with local honey.
Cagliari's Castello and Via Sardinia districts teem with restaurants and trattorias.

Nightlife in Sardinia
The jet set flock to the Costa Smeralda's chilled out piano bars in Port Cervo, or the Billionaire Club. Bards and discos are also in plentiful supply in resorts like Baia Sardinia, Poltu Quattu and Porto Rotundo.
Alghero is a lively resort, with numerous watering holes around the old town and by the scenic marina. The action is more laid back on the Costa Rei.

Shopping in Sardinia
For designer ware, head to Porto Cervo on the Costa Smeralda offering brands such as Armani,Gucci, Prada and Versace, or Porto Redondo's quayside. Traditional villages across the island are known for their cheeses, wines and handicrafts.
Alghero's old town has elegant boutique and a nighttime seafront crafts market during the summer. If you're staying on the south coast, visit Pula, a pretty town which has a number of shops.

Florence

Standing on the famous Ponte Vecchio, over the River Arno, you could feel a little overwhelmed by the artistic and cultural riches around you. After all, Florence is the Italian city most closely associated with the Renaissance. If you're looking for a classy or romantic city break, you won't be disappointed with this Tuscan gem.
From world-class galleries like the Uffizi to the breath-taking Duomo cathedral, Florence offers a a heavenly collection of treasures, but there's more to the city than merely art. Enjoy its fantastic shops, restaurants and nightlife too.

Sightseeing in Florence
The open-air Piazza della Signoria, with its famous Fountain of Neptune, is a key attraction but in fact, it's the Piazza del Duomo which draws the most visitors. The cathedral, known locally as the Basilica di Santa Maria del Fiore, is the city's iconic landmark - its facades is in many ways more jaw-dropping than its interiors.
Art lovers should check out the city's main galleries, namely the Uffizi, the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, the Bargello and the Accademia, which houses work by Michelangelo. It's worth booking tickets to one or all of the "big three" in advance in order to avoid the queques.There are numerous churches to visit - just take your pick.
To relax, take a walk to the ancient and beautiful Ponte Vecchio.Family attractions in Florence
Children will love the Parco di Pinocchio, the theme park dedicated to Pinocchio. Author Carlo Lorenzini was born in Florence in 1826 and the park includes a number of games and attractions.
Local families often head to the Parco delle Cascine, and it's easy to see why. You get 118 hectares of park, an open-air swimming pool, and an amphitheatre. Another popular attraction is the Zoo di Pistoia in Verginina. Your family will love the pine trees, lakes and superb zoo.

Day trips around Florence
Head to Viareggio on the train or bus for a walk along the promenade or a swim along the beach. It hosts a rollicking carnival in late January or early February with dozens of colourful floats.
Join an excursion to the rolling hills outside Florence. They're dotted with Tuscan vineyards, olive groves, castles and pretty farmhouses. Tour the Chianti wine-growing region or visit nearby Pisa with its Leaning Tower, the elegant city of Lucca or the medieval cities of Siena and San Gimignano. Even day trips to Rome and Venice are possible from Florence.

Eating out in Florence
The city is crammed with traditional trattorias, restaurants and pizzerias. Many of the delicacies come from all over Tuscany, including onions from Certaldo or bread from Mugello. The cheeses include provologne, seasonal pecorino and stracchino. Expect soups, grilled chicken, salamis, fresh fruit and vegetables accompanied by famous wines include Chianti and Morellino. The region also produces its own sweet dessert wine, Grappa.
If you want great views of the Ponte Vecchio, book a table at the riverside San Jacopa restaurant.

Nightlife in Florence
Nightlife here is more laid back than other Italian cities, but head to Piazzas Santo Spirito and Santa Croce where most of the action can be found.
If you are after a fairly wild night head to Oltarno, south of the river, where a lot of students hang out. If you're after a quieter night then the Piazza della Signoria is for you.
In the summer, the city comes alive with outdoor music performances.

Shopping in Florence
Designer brands are clustered around Via Roma and Via Tornabuoni, but bear in mind you can enjoy bargain prices if you go to the out-of-town factory shops such as the Prada outlet and The Mall housing names such as Gucci and YSL
Ponte Vecchio is lined with gold and jewellery shops but other gifts worth looking out for include leather and perfume.

Ayia Napa

Set on the sunny south-east coast of Cyprus, Ayia Napa has earned itself a reputation as a place to party, spawning a host of headlines and compilation CDs based on its drinking and dance scene.
Around 250,000 clubbers head to Ayia Napa every summer, but it's also a sun-kissed place for relaxation and lays claim to some of the best beaches in Cyprus. As well as having a beautiful monastery at its heart, you can stroll along Ayia Napa's jazzed up harbourfront, or feast on a Cypriot meze meal in one of many restaurants.

Ayia Napa beaches
Its three miles of sandy beaches are without doubt one of Ayia Napa's best attractions. Most have been awarded the EU's 'blue flag', for cleanliness and facilities.
The main stretch is Grecian Bay, Nissi Beach has beach bars and DJs playing all day, while Protaras is much more suited to families. Just five minutes from Ayia Napa it boasts wonderful Fig Tree Bay. Beyond that, quieter Makronissos Beach is worth a look, too.

Ayia Napa sightseeing
Ayia Napa is not the most interesting place in Cyprus for sights and history, but it does have a really pretty 16th-century Venetian monastery - a popular spot for British wedding couples.
Continuing on the more sophisticated tip, the 23rd Ayia Napa International Festival takes place in September 2007 with a celebration of the arts, music and local culture. The Museum of Marine Life is quite impressive and is the first museum of its kind in Cyprus.

Ayia Napa family attractions
Ayia Napa is popular with families too and the Cypriots adore children. There are many great quality hotels in Ayia Napa with excellent kids' clubs, big swimming pools and safe beaches, as well as self-catering apartments.
WaterWorld in Ayia Napa is immense with around 21 slides, rides and drops. It's Europe's largest themed water park and Greece is the word here. Along Nissi Avenue, families can muck around at crazy golf courses and play areas.Ayia day trips
Step back in time to the Makronissos Tombs, an ancient burial site west of Ayia Napa village.
The city of Larnaca, 25 miles along the coast, is also worth some time, while jeep safaris are a great way to get out and see more of the island for the day.

Ayia Napa eating
A tasty Cypriot meal is likely to kick off with a meze - the table fills with plentiful little dishes with anything from hummus, Cypriot sausage, or vine leaves with rice and herbs. Fish or meat-themed meze is also likely to be on the menu.
Fear not if Cypriot meatballs or moussaka don't appeal, as there are endless familiar options in Ayia Napa from Japanese to Italian, and plenty of places where chips are served with everything. The restaurants of the harbour offer a great alternative to the busy central square.

Ayia Napa nightlife
From cocktails and karaoke in Bedrock, or 70s retro at Starsky's, to four rooms of house music at Castle, or chill out parties until sunrise at River Reggae, Ayia Napa deserves an Oscar for nightlife.
Ayia Napa has around 250 bars and clubs and a good place for party people to start is the main square, where bars fill up from 11pm . If you panic at the thought of missing a match, head to Linekars, one of a chain of Brit-friendly pubs across the Med, where the wearing of red and white seems positively essential.

Ayia Napa shopping
Shops are everywhere and likely to open until 11pm to catch after-dinner meanderers - designer goods, sunglasses, watches, can all be as much as 30% cheaper than at home.
For a local souvenir, it has to be a bit of embroidered Lefkara lace, pottery, silver jewellery, or a high-quality leather bag or belt.

Croatia

This spectacularly beautiful and historic country boasts nearly 6,000km of coastline and over 1,000 islands draped along the sparkling Adriatic Sea, not to mention medieval cities and beautiful national parks full of wildlife rarely seen in other parts of western Europe.
The people are friendly and welcoming, the food an enticing mix of Mediterranean cuisine on the coasts and hearty meat stews with dumplings inland, and there are countless outdoor activities from sailing to hiking. Croatia is definitely a rising star on the beach break map.

Beaches in Croatia
On the whole, the beaches tend to be pebbly rather than sand, lending an incredible clarity to the aqua-coloured seas. There is a wealth of coastal spots to choose from ranging from the Istrian Peninsula in the north to the Dalmatian Coast in the south.
On the Istrian Peninsula, Rabac beach is considered to be one of the best and is ideal for windsurfers, while Cape Kamenjak offers coves, camp sites, diving and biking. Porec and Pula are key resorts here. The Kvarner region is good for families - head for Crikvenica or Paradise beach.
The Dalmatian coastline is studded with beatiful islands such as Bracm, home to the country's most famous beach, Bol, Zlatni Rat, which is akin to Turkey's Olu Deniz in its beauty; Hvar; Vis and Korcula. Split's Riva Beach is also a tourist honeypot.
Other excellent beaches include Baska on the popular island of Krk, where there's a beautiful stretch of sand backed by a scenic mountain range. Or for the ultimate in sandy beach, visit the tiny island of Susak.

Sightseeing in Croatia
The medieval, walled city of Dubrovnik with its cobbled streets, red tiled roofs and lively summer festival is a must. Visit the Rector's Palace and the churches on either side, Pile and Ploce Gates, St Blaise's with its original statue of the town's patron saint and finally walk around the city walls. It's around two kilometres and the views of the city and sea beyond are spectacular.
Zagreb, the country's riverside capital, is fantastic for culture lovers. Visit its atmospheric medieval centre, monuments, museums and art galleries.
There are eight national parks in Croatia offering a wide variety of outdoor activities from hiking and rock climbing to biking, fishing and simply wildlife watching. Two of the best parks are Plitvice, renowned for its lakes, and Paklenica on the coast offering huge grottoes and stalactite and stalagmite-filled caves.
Finally, history lovers can visit the Istrian Peninsula's Roman sites. Pula has a stunning Roman amphitheatre where gladiators once fought, as well as the Historical Museum of Istria, Augustus Temple and a magnificent Golden Gate. Porec's Basilica of St Euphrasius has earned it UNESCO World Heritage status. Split further south has a Roman palace at its heart.

Family attractions in Croatia
From Zagreb, visit the 13th century Gothic Trakoscan castle which has been turned into a living musuem exhibiting life in the medieval ages. Visit its dungeons before taking a stroll in its surrounding parks.
From Split, take a trip to Makarsa 30 miles away. Overlooked by a mountain, it flaunts a stunning natural harbour, secluded beaches, palaces and churches.Day trips around Croatia
If you are staying anywhere along the coast there should be an island within a short distance which you can visit for the day. Popular islands include Brac, Hvar and Vis on the central Dalmatian coast and the Elaphite Islands, Mjlet and Korcula off the southern coast.
If you're staying in Dubrovnik, enjoy sea kayaking exursions to the islands of Kolocep or Cavtat which also incorporate swimming and snorkelling. Or visit car-free Lopud island strewn with pretty buildings and flowers.

Eating out in Croatia
Croatia's renowned for its excellent, fresh seafood and Mediterranean cuisine. Juicy tomatoes, olive oils, garlic and herbs with pizza and pasta feature heavily on the coast.
If you are visiting Zagreb and north-western Croatia you can expect hearty meaty dishes like spit-roasted lamb or pork, Hungarian-style goulashes and thick soups followed by cheese dumplings.

Nightlife in Croatia
Dubrovnik's Old Town is the best place to go for nightlife action in the city. Visit the clifftop Buza Bar for sunset views, Hemingway for cocktails or the Troubadur for jazz. Zrce Beach on Pag is Croatia's version of Ibiza and promises round the clock drinking, while the open air Faces club in Bol, Brac Island, attracts around 2,000 revellers.
Look out for summer festivals too in places such as Rabac and Lovran which offer everything from modern to classical music and performances.

Shopping in Croatia
Embroidered fabrics and delicate laces are a couple of the specialities of Croatia. Go to the island of Pag where laces are traditionally made or head to the island of Hvar where you can pick up all manner of lavender goods and take pictures of the beautiful, fragrant lavender fields that bloom here in summer. Brac specialises in stone goods and you can always pick up some olive oils or other foods in markets throughout the country.