Navigate Venice's sparkling waterways by romantic gondola or on cruises along wide canal boulevards. Span the Grand Canal over its iconic original crossing, the Rialto Bridge, which gives some of the city's most lovely views with its parade of tiny shops. If the crowds unsettle you at any point, take two turns away from the main thoroughfares to find peace alone amid the city's labyrinth of tiny streets. Hurry to Piazza San Marco to be immersed in Venice's elegant glory. Basilica San Marco transports you back to the wealthy days of the Doges, who ruled for over 1,000 years. Initially, their private chapel, it's now decorated with beautiful Byzantine mosaics. Nearby the Campanile di San Marco bell tower offers views over the higgledy-piggledy rooftops of times gone by. Just a hop, skip, and a jump around the corner is the Doge's Palace, where the levels of opulence ramp up even further. Justice was meted out in this stunning Palace, with the guilty walking to the cells across the covered Bridge of Sighs. Vaporetto trips to local islands offer even more adventures to float your boat, whether it's Murano with its world-famous glass, Torcello with its amazing Cathedrals, or Burano with its handmade lace and delightfully colorful painted houses.

Within that small distance live some of the Adriatic’s finest treasures. One such place is Piran. At just over 120 km from Ljubljana, the small but perfectly formed town is perched on a rocky peninsula and surrounded by pristine waters. Oozing Mediterranean charm, Piran’s rich Venetian heritage is everywhere. The Italian touch is visible from the city’s architecture to the local Istrian cuisine. The oval-shaped square is the ideal spot to start your exploration of Piran, which is best done on foot. Wander into the labyrinthine streets of the old town – think narrow streets and compact houses topped with the picture-perfect terracotta tiles so typical of the region – and take a few hours just drinking in the atmosphere. Pop into one of the little Catholic churches or hike up to St. George’s atop the hill for an example of exquisite Venetian Renaissance architecture. Alternatively, head for the seaside walk – which incidentally serves as a beach for many – for a taste of everyday local life.

Croatia's Capital of Cool, Zadar, is a dazzling mesh of influences and creativity. Romans founded the city before the Venetians, Austrians, French, and Italians had their say, leaving a wealth of architectural interest. Glorious turquoise-water beaches and heavenly waterfalls also lie within easy reach of this energetic city of festivals and outdoor fun. See the old town, with its robust city walls, boasting decorative stone gateways and marble streets. The church of St Donatus was built from stones pillaged from the Roman forum. At the same time, Zadar Cathedral - Dalmatia's biggest - stands among the many architectural treats of this city, which was once an impenetrable stronghold of Venice's republic. Head for the 'pillar of shame' with its chains to humiliate the criminals of a bygone time - or succumb to the tempting treats of shopping in the market. The sparkling Adriatic waters call you, and Kolovare Beach is a mere ten-minute stroll from the old town. A day trip to Kornat National Park - which incorporates the Zadar Archipelago's immaculate scattering of beach-fringed islands - or to the divine waterfalls of Plitvice Lakes National Park will introduce you to more of Croatia's thrilling natural beauty. The sea truly does sing here in Zadar, thanks to a unique waterfront artwork, which encapsulates the city's playful spirit. Designed to make music when the waves wash over it, the ebb and flow of the Adriatic play the Sea Organ instrument like a maestro. Not far away, the Monument to the Sun is a 22-meter-wide disc, which gathers the Sun's rays during sunny days and releases solar energy in the form of a magical light show after dark. Sit and admire the artwork coming to life as one of the city's famous sunsets plays out before you.

Croatia's crowning glory rears up vertically from the tranquil waters of the Adriatic, and Dubrovnik's daunting fortresses town is a truly imposing sight to behold. Encircled by chunky stone walls so thick and dramatic they could have been purpose-built as a film set, this city's unmatched old town is the setting for countless films and shows - from Star Wars to Robin Hood, Game of Thrones and every product in between seeking a truly authentic medieval flavor. This fantasy fortress's walls - at least 12 meters thick at places - are certainly not just for show. They kept Dubrovnik safe when it was a maritime republic, and they were besieged as recently as 1991 when Serbian and Montenegrin forces attacked as Yugoslavia broke apart. Fully restored now, the city's stone streets take you through a beautiful mosaic of architectural splendor, baroque churches, and splashing fountains. Tapering alleys rocket up from the central boulevard of Stradun, offering spectacular views down. Banking up sharply to the rear, you can gaze across an ocean of terracotta roofs and church spires, clamoring together before the sparkling Adriatic. Visit the neighboring fort of Lovrijenac for another perspective, or swing up to the Srd fortress's glorious panorama on a cable car. Dubrovnik's streets are crammed with eateries and candlelit tables where couples splash wine into glasses and enjoy gnocchi mixed with creamy truffle sauces. Nearby beaches like Banje are also nearby, and hidden bays reward the brave who venture beyond the old town. Take sunset drinks to sit back and watch as flotillas of sea kayaks roll by, or sail on the pristine waters to explore island gems like Lokrum - where peacocks are the only permanent residents.

Embedded into the slopes of the steep Lovćen mountain and overlooking the deep blue Adriatic, the fortified town of Kotor boasts a spectacular, imposing staging that few can match. Squeezing in through the tight Bay of Kotor is a daunting and impressive approach as you arrive via one of Europe's most stunning waterways. A pearl of Montenegro and the Adriatic, Kotor's warren-like streets drip with history and authenticity. Under Venetian influence for four centuries, the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site old town invites you to wander amid atmospheric stone-clad streets, overlooked by a sea of terracotta roofs and the double towers of the cathedral. Protected by thick stone walls and the mountains behind, Kotor compares with another fortified Adriatic wonder in Dubrovnik. Many favor Kotor for its compact layout, smaller crowds, and authenticity, however - having been spared from shelling during Yugoslavia's breakup. The tightknit streets here are patrolled by a slinking population of feline residents, who were adopted as the town's mascots after being left behind by transient trader ships. Learn of the city's extensive heritage on the waves in the dedicated maritime museum that is contained within Grgurina Palace. Pick your way through tight alleys of workshops and studios, walking below fresh laundry strung from windows before settling into shiny, paved piazzas for an afternoon coffee or seafood meal. If you're up for an aerobic challenge, tackle the 1,350 steps up the steep walls to St John's fortress. The views over the gorgeous bay make the arduous slog worth it as you rise past the city's eye-catching 15th-century church bell tower.

Split is a city of romantic beauty, built around an extraordinary - still beating - historical heart. The setting may be spectacular, but the Diocletian’s Palace - a Roman remains of incredible scale and detail- is captivating. While immensely historic, Split hasn’t been afraid to move with the times, and the stone walls encasing the streets are alive with buzzy bars and quiet nooks, where bottles of red wine are uncorked and delicious meals devoured. With a natural backdrop of dramatic limestone mountains, and Croatia’s trademark scenic wonders, Split is a true heavyweight of the Adriatic. To enter Split’s Diocletian Palace is to step into a beautiful time warp. Head first to the Cathedral of Saint Domnius, where a hollow bell tower rockets up, puncturing the sky. The palace’s cellars can shelter you from a little of the heat and give space for everything from wine festivals to souvenir stalls. The perfume of lavender hangs heavy wherever you walk in the old town, where tucked shops offer artisan chocolates, dried figs, and freshly-ground coffees. The expansive seafront promenade is all palm trees, buzzing bars, and eateries, and further out, you can find the peace of Marion Hill - where you can climb to some of the best views in town. Or, take the far less exerting wander to Sustipan cemetery’s breathtaking panorama of sea, city, and distant islands. Trips to island paradises like Hvar and Brac are tempting, as are longer excursions to sites like Krka National Park’s Waterfalls - where expansive terraces of frothing water thunder into cooling, swimmable splash pools below. Nearby Trogir is another UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering a cozier, no less charming old town, and historic port.

Feel the strong Italian influence as soon as you enter this city, Croatia's 'Little Venice.' A gorgeous artwork of a port, you can revel in seafront promenade strolls, waterside drinks, and the tangled beauty of an immensely atmospheric old town. Nearby, islands sparkle, and beaches call out while working fishing boats add authentic everyday charm. With both Croatian and Italian languages spoken, there's more than a hint of Venice in this breathlessly romantic place's crisscrossing streets and soaring bell towers. An alluring highlight of the Istrian Peninsula, walk the cobbled streets of Rovinj's old town between sun-parched houses that rear up directly against the sea's lapping water. Tiny streets and squares are lined with little souvenir shops, bars, gelato stalls, and restaurants serving delicious dishes with Istria's elusive white truffles. Climb above via the elegant Church of St Eufemia's Venetian bell tower. The tower's ascent is perhaps best viewed from the glinting waters, however, as you look back to see the church rising above the town's pretty clutch of colorful buildings. Explore the olive groves and vineyards of the sunny peninsular on your way to villages where specially trained dogs sniff out truffles or head out to rocky coves to swim in refreshing, transparent seas. Pula is also close by - a city scattered with Roman ruins, including the magnificently preserved, in-tact amphitheater - which continues to be a center of entertainment, hosting atmospheric festivals and concerts.

Navigate Venice's sparkling waterways by romantic gondola or on cruises along wide canal boulevards. Span the Grand Canal over its iconic original crossing, the Rialto Bridge, which gives some of the city's most lovely views with its parade of tiny shops. If the crowds unsettle you at any point, take two turns away from the main thoroughfares to find peace alone amid the city's labyrinth of tiny streets. Hurry to Piazza San Marco to be immersed in Venice's elegant glory. Basilica San Marco transports you back to the wealthy days of the Doges, who ruled for over 1,000 years. Initially, their private chapel, it's now decorated with beautiful Byzantine mosaics. Nearby the Campanile di San Marco bell tower offers views over the higgledy-piggledy rooftops of times gone by. Just a hop, skip, and a jump around the corner is the Doge's Palace, where the levels of opulence ramp up even further. Justice was meted out in this stunning Palace, with the guilty walking to the cells across the covered Bridge of Sighs. Vaporetto trips to local islands offer even more adventures to float your boat, whether it's Murano with its world-famous glass, Torcello with its amazing Cathedrals, or Burano with its handmade lace and delightfully colorful painted houses.​