Best of the Balkans: Croatia and Slovenia

As one of the earliest cities in Europe to make its city center car-free, Ljubljana has long been a leader in urban sustainability. Weave through a charming maze of cobblestone streets rich in Renaissance, Baroque, and Art Nouveau architecture, leading to the Ljubljanica River, whose banks are lined with cute cafes and artisan markets. Eclectic museums and vibrant street art, plus a growing handful of East-meets-West fusion cuisine at independent eateries, are all set against a backdrop of innovative eco-friendly design.

Zagreb’s neo-gothic cathedrals, historic squares, big open boulevards, traditional taverns and old-world wine bars meet cutting-edge cuisine and quirky cultural landmarks in Croatia’s riverside capital. In the historic Upper Town, a medieval maze of pastel-colored streets contrasts with the modern energy of Ban Jelacic Square. Around the corner, St. Mark’s Church is renowned for its striking multi-colored tiled roof and Romanesque style, whilst the majestic Neo-Gothic City Hall and the soaring spires of St. Stephen’s Cathedral create a stunning cityscape.

As you wake to the sounds of church bells and traditional Klapa singers, Split’s beaches, fresh seafood and Roman architecture beckons. Its maze of medieval alleys leads to the imperial Palace of Diocletian, the 3rd-century Roman fortress that forms the heart of the city, its ancient walls now bustling with cafes, shops and vibrant local life. The narrow staircase of the bell tower rising above St. Dominus Cathedral, once Diocletian’s mausoleum, provides breathtaking panoramic views of the Adriatic.

Supposedly Croatia’s sunniest island, Hvar is also the most glamorous. Its cobblestone streets are lined with cocktail bars, its Venetian architecture home to trendy restaurants and boutiques. The old town is home to Europe’s oldest public theatre, and beyond the marina – and its sleek superyachts – is a more rustic, romantic side to the island, with crystal-clear water lapping tiny coves, steps carved into the rockface and limestone crags for rock-climbing.

The sleeping beauty of the Mediterranean, Dubrovnik has been plundered so many times over its 700-year-history that its old town was unrecognizable by the Nineties. Today, it has been restored to its red-roofed, ocean-lapped former glory and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, making its car-free streets an irresistible setting for the location scouts that worked on Game of Thrones. Lantern-lit limestone alleyways lead to waterfront restaurants and gorgeous shingle beaches where the waves are calm and perfect for leisurely dips.