The Diversity of Adriatic Sea

When Venice still ruled the Adriatic, Dubrovnik was an important maritime republic and the floating city's chief rival. Dubrovnik proudly calls itself the "Pearl of the Adriatic" and its fortress is one of the best preserved in Europe. As you walk around the imposing walls of the old town, you can look out across two seas – the deep blue Adriatic and a sea of red roof shingles. The old town, with its beautiful squares, magnificent boulevards and narrow winding alleyways, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Monopoli, a picturesque town on the Adriatic coast of Italy, enchants visitors with its historical charm and Mediterranean flair. The old town features ancient structures, narrow alleys, and a picturesque harbor district. The city is renowned not only for its rich history but also for its culinary delights, including fresh seafood and traditional pasta. Monopoli stands as a gem in Apulia, captivating with its unique atmosphere and warm hospitality.

The Adriatic island of Korcula is one of the greenest in the region. Vineyards and olive groves stretch across rolling hills. The island's main town of the same name is protected by a city wall. It is one of the best-preserved medieval Mediterranean towns. Some buildings evoke the time when the maritime power of Venice ruled. Tintoretto is immortalised in the cathedral, and in one of the narrow streets you can search for the house where Marco Polo was born.

Komiza captivates with its charming fishing village allure. The picturesque alleys narrate a rich history, while the crystal-clear water glimmers invitingly. Here, tradition intertwines with natural beauty, creating an enchanting backdrop.

The charming principal town of the small Central Dalmatian island of Hvar is picturesquely situated in a sheltered bay. Today, in the same spot where the Venetian fleet used to spend the winter and the proud republic of the Doges bequeathed its influence, yachts from all over the world bob about and transform this hotspot into the "St Tropez of Croatia". From the sea you can see the elegant harbor esplanade, the cathedrals with their distinctive bell towers, the old defensive walls and, towering above everything else, the medieval Spanjola fortress. The winding streets of the old town, with its many cafés, bars and restaurants around the lively main square trodden to a shine, have become a picturesque backdrop for today's sophisticated lifestyle.

The port of Sibenik is set in a sheltered bay on the Dalmatian coast in the estuary of the Krka, one of the most impressive waterways in Croatia. In the National Park, just a few kilometers (miles) away from Sibenik, the countryside seems both enchanted and savage. Rushing waters cascade picturesquely down from a limestone plateau into the depths below. The charming old town of Sibenik is impressive, mainly due to the massive Cathedral of St James, one of the most beautiful Renaissance buildings in the eastern Adriatic and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Climbing the rigging, untying ropes, setting sails – today is all about sailing. Time to lean back and relax in the deck chair and watch the passionate crew hoisting the sails by hand.

Rovinj lies on the western coast of Istria. The old town was built on a hill and was part of the Republic of Venice for over 500 years. St Euphemia's Basilica sits above the terracotta roofs in solitary splendour and its tower has become the town's landmark. A stroll through the winding lanes transports you straight into the Mediterranean lifestyle and the region's culinary delights. Istrian wines seem to embody the sun's rich heat, the oak forests conceal precious white truffles and the region's olive oil is among the finest in the world.

The floating city of Venice sits on millions of wooden piles and more than 400 bridges cross 150 canals. No other city possesses such an abundance of stunningly beautiful churches, monasteries, palaces and artistic treasures, and nowhere else has plaster that crumbles so elegantly. Venice is a unique work of art and, with its lagoon, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gateway to the city is probably the most magical of any in the world. Slowly and majestically you glide past the proud palaces along the Grand Canal and the Basilica di Santa Maria della Salute, giving you a long look at the fairytale setting of St Mark's Square with the Doge's Palace and Campanile.