Croatia

Croatia provides an interesting alternative for anyone considering a break in the Mediterranean and is becoming increasingly popular as a holiday destination.

Sitting on the coast of the Adriatic Sea, Croatia benefits from a warm, albeit rainy, climate, with temperatures during the summer months running into the mid to high 20s.

That temperature, alongside the levels of precipitation, can vary from region to region however, with coastal conditions being vastly different to those within more mountainous regions inland.

Arguably the most popular area of the country is the Adriatic coast, where there is the opportunity to hit the beach or to explore the history and heritage of the country.

Perhaps the best place to do the latter is in the walled city of Dubrovnik, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is packed with famous historical attractions; including the Sponza Palace, St Blaise’s Church and the city walls themselves.

Along the same coastline lies the city of Split, home to Diocletian's Palace, as well as the famous fortresses of Šibenik and the popular resort of Zadar, where you can gaze out to sea whilst listening to the music created by a special art installation – the Sea Organ – that makes tunes from water running through a number of underground pipes.

Away from the coast, central Croatia houses a range of castles and monuments that reflect the long history of the country whilst the capital city Zagreb is a premier destination in its own right – offering a fascinating blend of the old and new.

Alongside various museums, the city is arguably the best destination in Croatia in which to hunt out souvenirs at the local shops and markets, whilst there is also plenty of opportunities to sample the best in both national and international cuisine.