Croatia: Suggested Itinerary

Day 1: From Zagreb, head north to the stunning baroque city of Vara?din. This one-time capital of Croatia retains a strong sense of its glory. Spend a night here.

Day 2: Head south to the World Heritage site, Plitvice Lakes National Park, a watery wonderland of lakes and waterfalls. Spend a full day soaking up the spray.

Day 3: Set off early for the historic Zadar. Take a day trip from here to the island of Pag for its unique culture.

Day 4: Move on to Šibenik, home of the finest cathedral in Croatia, the Cathedral of St James. Don’t miss out on a swim under the falls at Krka National Park.

Day 5: Next is a stroll through lovely Trogir and then a meander around the Roman ruins of Solin (Salona).

Day 6: Now you should be ready for Diocletian’s Palace in Split. This exuberant city on the sea makes a fascinating contrast to busy Zagreb.

Day 7: Finish by taking the coastal road down to Dubrovnik – its pride and cultural identity are still intact from centuries as an independent city-state.