Losing none of its allure over the years, this floating city of canals, bridges, and masks is a place of eternal beauty and enduring elegance. The lagoon of more than 100 islands is a heavenly sight, transporting visitors on a journey through time - from its Roman inception, through centuries of trade to the modern face you see today. 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 - with its parade of tiny shops - gives some of the city’s most endearing views. 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 is 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.

Known by the Romans for its happy outlook, see the lighter side of life on the beautiful Adriatic island of Rab. Happy to keep its upbeat secrets to itself, the island's charms were shared with the world when Edward VIII arrived on holiday and skinny-dip here, on an escape with his married lover. A highlight of the Kvarner Gulf, Rab is decorated with a spectacular contrast of cliffs, sandbars, dunes, and pine forests, and the island is a protected geopark offering thrilling scenery for every taste. Characterful villages throw lavish fishing festivals and medieval celebrations, illuminating the island with summer feasts and cultural flavor. Dozens of beaches fringe this long thin island, whether you want shallow sand shelves or wild, bouldered coves. Watch beach sports, settle into beach bars, or seek out isolated areas where the only soundtrack is the waves. Inland, specialties like grapes and olives grow for wine and oil production, while bakeries produce fragrant batches of the snail shell-shaped Rabska cake. A sweet taste of Rab, it features almonds and rose petal liqueur among the tangy citrus flavors, and you can visit the dedicated museum to learn of its history. The island has a litany of historic churches and Rab Town itself is known for the four bell towers that rise above its sparkling waters. Brave the stairs of the Cathedral of St Mary the Great’s tower for an astounding view over the sea, Rab Town, and the island. Goli Otok and Sv Grgur are a short ride away by boat, and the two islands form a harrowing former prison, known as the Croatian Alcatraz.

Set on the dazzling Adriatic, where the Krka River opens out into the blue, island-peppered waters, Šibenik is a stone-clad city that oozes Dalmatian medieval charm. Gorgeous Krka National Park gushes with famously picturesque waterfalls close by, while the World Heritage Sites of Croatia’s oldest native town have endless stories to tell. Rising from the shadow of popular neighbors Split and Zadar, Šibenik is successfully establishing itself as an unmissable Dalmatian city thanks to its timeless grace and 30 hidden churches and monasteries - which ring their bells above a wash of terracotta roofs. Dominating the tight streets of the charming old town - where ice cream vendors spoon out fruity flavors, and footsteps rattle along stone streets - is the magnificent Cathedral St. James UNESCO World Heritage site. Taking more than a century to construct, it is built from stone in a Gothic-Renaissance style and adorned with 71 sculptured heads - each displaying its own personality. Look closely, to notice the bullet holes embedded in the door – reminders of the fierce fighting that raged here, during the Croatian War of Independence. St. Michael’s Fortress stands on a hill above the city, providing the perfect viewpoint to see Šibenik rolling towards the stunning archipelago, which punctuates the turquoise Adriatic. Part of the fortress is now used as an open-air stage, forming an ethereal venue for performances. St. Nicholas Fortress is another UNESCO-protected site and was built where the monastery of St. Nicholas once stood. Further afield, the beautiful old town of Trogir is close by, along with the Roman ruins of Salona.

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 production in between seeking a truly authentic medieval flavor. This fantasy fortress’s walls - which are no less than 12 meters thick at places - are certainly not just for show, however. 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 stone streets of the city 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, but you’ll need to walk the city walls to appreciate the fortress city’s full scale. 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 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 close by, and hidden bays reward the intrepid who venture out 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.

One of the most popular of the island escapes sprinkled across the turquoise Adriatic, Hvar is a glorious idyll of hidden coves, electric blue waters, and quietly contented port towns. In recent years, it’s gathered something of a reputation as a party island - mainly earned from Hvar Town’s nocturnal exuberances and the transient day-tripping yachts that drop by. Soak up the energy, exuberance, and fine dining, or sidestep the hedonism to explore a richly refined, rural, and historic island – utterly spoiled with sunshine, and hidden beaches, which dazzle with colorful intensity. Bike rides along long sweeping coastal paths, boat journeys from pretty harbors, walks through fields of purple lavender - it’s all waiting for you on heavenly Hvar. Relish the sunshine and explore deserted, idyllic inlets, before sharing strong espressos in quiet harbour towns, surrounded by welcoming, sun-wrinkled locals. There’s also rich Medieval history – the sleepy town of Stari Grad is said to be Croatia’s oldest, dating back to 384 BC. Elsewhere, Jelsa is a postcard-perfect place – settle in for a bite to eat, with nothing but the sound of harbor waters lapping and sandpaper scraping boat hulls for company. You can walk to look out over glorious views across to Brac, sometimes watching on as thunderstorms rage and flash, an eternity away over the mainland’s crumpled mountains. You’re also just a short ferry ride from the incredible Golden Horn - an evocative spike of brilliant sand that juts out evocatively into the cobalt-blue sea.

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 all 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, while 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 plays 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.

Slovenia might not immediately spring to mind when it comes to coastal countries – in fact, with just 46 km of coastline, you would be forgiven for overlooking it altogether. Yet, within that small distance lives some of the Adriatic’s finest treasures. One such place is Piran. At just over 120 km from Ljubljana, you’ll find 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. Unsurprising really, as the city was governed by the Republic of Venice from 1283 to 1797 (and until the mid-20th century, Italian was the dominant language, although this has been overtaken by Slovenia in recent years). The Italian touch is visible from the city’s architecture (the main square is named after the famous Italian composer Giuseppe Tartini) 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 on the top of the hill for an example of grandiose Venetian Renaissance architecture. Alternatively, head for the seaside walk – which incidentally serves as a beach for many – for a taste of everyday local life.

Losing none of its allure over the years, this floating city of canals, bridges, and masks is a place of eternal beauty and enduring elegance. The lagoon of more than 100 islands is a heavenly sight, transporting visitors on a journey through time - from its Roman inception, through centuries of trade to the modern face we see today. 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 - with its parade of tiny shops - gives some of the city’s most endearing views. 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 is 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.

Disembark after breakfast.