Dubrovnik

It’s hard to avoid a little thrill when you first clap eyes on Dubrovnik. Surely somewhere this gorgeous doesn’t exist in the real world — but it does. What Byron called the “pearl of the Adriatic” sits majestically on Croatia’s southern Dalmatian coast, its medieval city walls protectively circling Dubrovnik Old Town. When you look down from one of several lofty viewpoints, you lose yourself in a sea of terracotta rooftops surrounded by the impossibly blue-green colours of the Adriatic Sea.

Visiting Dubrovnik gives you a city break and beach holiday all in one. It’s the chance to discover the culture of this ancient republic whose history goes back to the 7th century, while basking on the beaches and soaking up that laid-back Dalmatian vibe they call fjaka. Even in high season, you can find ways to escape — maybe to the villages and beaches of the neighbouring Konavle region, or hiking in the hills above Dubrovnik and finding a perfect picnic spot. But summer isn’t the only time to visit: Dubrovnik’s long season kicks off with its February carnival of St Blaise. Spring is a delight, and a late-summer warmth hangs around all autumn, when even in November it can reach 18C.