31 days in Europe Itinerary

Commonly called "Croatian Switzerland" and "the green lungs of Croatia," Primorje-Gorski Kotar County boasts nature reserves and elite summer resorts. The mountain slopes rise above the coastal towns, shielding them from the scorching Mediterranean heat. The location, grand spa hotels, and mild climate attract a chiefly mature crowd. From the rocky peaks, which are home to rare flora species such as edelweiss and hairy alpine rose, you can see over the whole of Istria all the way to the Julian Alps. The streets of coastal towns are lined with lovely belle époque villas that remain from the days of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Known for its warm sea, wooded islands, preserved medieval cities, and beaches of white sand and soft pebble, Dalmatia remains separated from the inland area by a barren mountain range, the Dinaric Alps. Secluded coves, caves, coral reefs, shipwrecks, and Robinson Crusoe-style islets beckon visitors, who often come to explore by diving or yachting. Known for cuisine including seafood, Croatian wines, and olive oils, the region maintains a cozy atmosphere thanks to small, family-run restaurants. Fortified coastal towns here bear traces of the land's many conquerors, including Illyrians, Greeks, Romans, Byzantines, Venetians, and Austro-Hungarians. Medieval piazzas and streets lined with Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque palaces welcome visitors with art festivals, food, and music.