Off The Beaten Path Adriatic

Dubrovnik, a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast, is a prominent tourist destination. The city joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979. An outstanding feature of the Old Town of Dubrovnik is its intact city walls that run uninterrupted for 1,940m encircling the city. Read more about Dubrovnik, Croatia

Located along one of Montenegro's most beautiful bays is picturesque Kotor. The bay is the deepest natural inlet in the Adriatic Sea, and the scenery around it is spectacular. Its well-preserved Old Town - surrounded by an impressive city wall - nestles at the head of southern Europe’s deepest sunken river valley. Read more about Kotor, Montenegro

Monopoli (aka Monopolis) is a town in Italy in the province of Bari, about 40 km southeast from Bari. (Imagine if your foot was in the ‘boot’ of Italy, your heel would be touching Monopoli.) This is the beautiful Apulia region of Italy with the Adriatic coastline on the edge of the city. It is important as an agricultural, industrial and tourist centre. Read more about Monopoli, Italy

Korcula is a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea lying just off the Dalmatian Coast. The greenest, most independent and most interesting of Croatia's 1,000 or so islands, Korcula is very much a law unto itself, as you might expect from a community that has resisted the sieges of centuries. Korcula Town is a mini-fortress enclosed with honey-coloured stone walls built in the 14th century, with round defensive towers. Read more about Korcula, Croatia

Sibenik is located just about in the centre of the Croatian Adriatic coast, in the picturesque, indented bay into which the Krka River, one of the most beautiful in Croatia, flows. The city has its own personality and some wonderful experiences to be enjoyed. The atmosphere in Sibenik is youthful and lively, with little streets that lead to attractive squares where modern shop windows complement the fine and stylish architecture of vanished centuries. Read more about Sibenik, Croatia

Opatija - aka Sankt Jakobi, Abbazia - is a tranquil resort in western Croatia, just southwest of Rijeka in the Gulf of Kvarner on the Adriatic coast. Surrounded by beautiful forests of bay laurel, together with its mild climate and stunning setting, it is a popular summer and winter resort. The whole sea coast to the north and south is rocky and picturesque, and contains several smaller winter resorts. Read more about Opatija, Croatia

Porec is a town and municipality on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula, Croatia. Given the town’s long history, a visit to the old town is a must, due to its numerous historical sites, particularly the 6th century Euphrasian Basilica which is wonderfully preserved and is well known for its beautiful gold mosaics. The Basilica is really a collection of various buildings, including a baptistry and the Bishop’s Palace. Read more about Porec, Croatia

Located at the head of the Adriatic Sea between the mouths of the Piave and Po Rivers, an intricate web of 118 tiny islands and canals make up the enchanting city of Venice in Italy. Considered to be an extremely beautiful and romantic destination, it is not surprising that Venice has played an important role in the history of symphonic and operatic music. One must take a gondola ride along some of the over 150 canals, including the Grand Canal. Read more about Venice, Italy