Although it’s now part of Croatia, the Istrian peninsula is very Italian in feel. The Italian town of Trieste is less than 15 miles away, and Venice is just across the Adriatic.

Fans of Lidia Bastianich know that the chef grew up here and many of her recipes combine Italian tradition with local ingredients. Truffles are a specialty of the region. Read more…

Split Croatia may be fairly new to western travelers, but it’s been a tourism hot spot since 305 A.D. when the Emperor Diocletian decided to build his retirement palace here and make Split his base of operations.

The palace is still here, and a lot more, including the studio of Croatian sculptor Ivan Mestrovic, the Croatian Archaeology Museum, and a vibrant old town that dates to Roman times. The waterfront Riva promenade is lined with shops and restaurants. And in summer, there’s a lively cultural festival with concerts, plays, and theatrical performances. Read more…

Croatia and the Dalmatian Coast have really caught on with travelers in the last few years. With miles of stunning coastline, reasonable prices, and a great blend of natural beauty and history, it’s easy to see why.

Dubrovnik and Split are the most popular towns. And both can be overwhelmed with tourists when the cruise ships are in port. But the island of Hvar, which has the sunniest climate in the Adriatic, still has plenty of places where you can escape the masses. Read more…