Croatia

Croatia stretches along the Adriatic in a long crescent, and most visitors come for the coast: over a thousand islands, limestone cliffs dropping into turquoise water, and towns like Dubrovnik and Split where medieval stone walls meet the sea. Dubrovnik's Old City, encircled by massive ramparts, gets busy with cruise crowds and Game of Thrones tourists, but walking the walls at sunrise or off-season still delivers. Split centers on Diocletian's Palace, a Roman ruin that's still a living, breathing part of the city rather than a roped-off relic.

The islands vary in character — Hvar draws a younger, party-leaning crowd and yacht traffic, while Vis feels sleepier and less developed, and Korčula has vineyards and quieter beaches. Inland, Plitvice Lakes National Park has turquoise waterfalls and wooden walkways through forest, though it gets crowded in summer.

Istria, in the north, offers a different mood entirely — truffle hunting, olive oil, and hill towns with an Italian influence, both in food and architecture.

Prices have risen since Croatia adopted the euro and joined the EU, but it's still generally cheaper than Italy or France. Sailing between islands is one of the best ways to experience the coast.