Croatia

Croatia has one of the most dramatic coastlines in the world — 1,100 miles of it, lined with medieval towns, island harbors, and water so blue it looks implausible. But Croatia isn't just a pretty shoreline. Underneath the sun and the yachts and the terracotta rooftops, there are two thousand years of history quietly going about its business. Roman emperors built their retirement homes here. Venetian merchants left their palazzos. Wars came and went and left their marks. These are stories from a country that has been worth visiting for a very long time.