With miles of coastline and close to islands, Croatia 's sun-drenched credentials are impressive. The park is comprised of 16 interconnected lakes, the 2. Travertine expanses covered with mossy plants divide the bodies of water, whose startling colors are a product of the underlying bedrock. Wooden boardwalks allow you to easily traverse this extraordinary watery world.
Planning tip: Entry tickets are limited to avoid overcrowding. Be sure to book online in advance. You can walk every one of the streets of its compact old town, laid out in a fascinating fishbone pattern, in less than an hour. Summer is when yachts anchor at this tiny seaside party town and sun-dazed revelers descend in droves to the beachside cocktail bars.
For a step back from the action and superb views over the town, head up to Fortica , the medieval castle looming on a hill above the town. To find a swimming spot, follow the waterfront promenade and stake out one of the tiny rocky bays, or hop on a taxi boat to the nearby Pakleni Islands.
Cloaked in dense pine forests, marvelous Mljet is an island idyll. Istria delights with its undulating hills, charming hilltop towns and many seaside spots. A must-visit is lovely Rovinj , a town of pastel-hued facades and cobblestone lanes lined with art galleries, sitting on its own peninsula jutting into the Adriatic Sea.
Next, move inland to Motovun , a picturesque hilltop town rising from a forested valley. Park at its base and hop on the shuttle bus, or simply walk steadily uphill to its medieval walls for vistas of rolling hills. The hidden bays and rocky coves of its southern coast are best explored by boat, especially postcard-perfect Stiniva Bay , otherwise reached via a steep, rocky path.
