There’s no hiding it — Croatia’s spectacular coastline is one of the best in the world. The water dazzles in shades of azure blue and emerald green, pebbly beaches provide a sharp contrast to the silky water, and islands stretch out into the sea waiting to be explored. It’s a beach holiday that dreams are made of.

But there’s much more to Croatia than that. Its strategic location between the rest of the Balkans and the central Europe of Italy has meant Croatia has often been in the crossfire of battle, leaving it both scarred and uplifted by its past invaders. You’ll see Roman ruins, Slavic churches and huge Venetian palaces all mixed in together.

What hasn’t changed is the welcome from the locals — while some beach destinations are getting over-crowded, much of Croatia is delightfully under-visited, particularly on its interior of rolling farmland and limestone mountains.