Ancient city walls. Higgledy-piggledy red rooftops. Cobbled streets worn by time. That’s Dubrovnik, a heart-stealing city that you just know you’re going to love the moment you arrive.

• Check out the 17th-century cathedral in the old town, with its striking gold and silver ruins. Then make tracks for Rector’s Palace, the former residence of Dubrovnik’s Republic Rector. It houses an impressive collection of artefacts and furniture.
• Leave the city behind and set sail for the nearby Elaphite Islands. All pine forests, beaches and olive groves, this trio offer up plenty in the way of Kodak-worthy scenery.

Arrives at 8AM

The Adriatic Sea and a blue-hued mountain range sandwich southerly Bar. The town itself is dominated by a working waterfront. Just up the road lies picturesque Stari Bar. Once the original Bari, it’s still filled with the time-worn leftovers of everyone from the Byzantines to the Turks. Head over the mountains and you’ll find the mammoth Lake Skadar.

• Exploring Stari Bar is a must-do. The ruined town is stocked with the toppled ruins of Byzantine churches, mosques, Turkish baths and aqueducts. Follow the signs for a self-guided tour.
• Lake Skadar National Park is less than a half-hour drive away. Nature-lovers will be in their element thanks to the head-turningly beautiful scenery.
• The long beach in Sutomore is less than a 15-minute drive away. It’s shadowed by a promenade lined with cafés, restaurants, boutiques and bars.

Departs at 6PM

Arrives at 7AM

Korcula is an island to fall in love with. Inside the walls of its namesake city you’ll find a slice of vintage Croatia that’s all red-roofed tiles and cobbled streets. It’s like Dubrovnik in miniature. Do a bit of exploring and you’ll be rewarded with sights like the ornate Cathedral of St. Mark and the house where it’s said Marco Polo was born.

• Korcula’s town square is often the setting for sword dances, where you can watch four centuries of history unfold.
• Take a mini-cruise along the Korcula Riviera, and you’ll stop at picturesque seaside towns and hideaway coves on the islands in the archipelago.

Departs at 6PM

Arrives at 8AM

Zadar doesn’t put age before beauty, it offers them both at the same time. This Dalmatian city on the Adriatic Coast is one of the oldest in Europe, and its timeline can be traced back more than 3,000 years. Having said that, it’s more than a little easy on the eye. The traffic-free streets are paved in pearly marble, its town houses are topped with red roofs, and the city is dotted with ancient Roman ruins and historical churches.

• Explore St Donata’s Church. This 9th-century building is the largest pre-Romanesque building in Croatia.
• Café culture is alive and kicking in Zadar. Just pick between the places in the old town and the harbour. When you’re peckish, try a plate of Dalmatian ham.
• The Krka National Park is a must. Clasped around the River Krka, it’s a canvas of gorges, lakes and waterfalls spread over forested landscapes. One highlight is the Skradinski Buk waterfalls, where rushing water cascades over 17 tiers of rocks. You can also take a boat ride through the Krka canyon.

Departs at 6PM

Arrives at 8AM

With 117 islands, 150 canals and more than 400 bridges, it’s time to swap your cruise ship for a gondola and embark on an affair to remember in one of the world’s most romantic cities.

• Take a ride on a gondola as you weave your way through the maze of canals in this fabulous floating city.
• Make the most of everything St Mark’s Square has to offer. Tick off St Mark’s Basilica, the Doge’s Palace, the Bridge of Sighs and the Campanile before giving your credit card a workout in the designer shops.
• Go behind the scenes at one of the glass factories on the island of Murano, then head to neighbouring Burano, which is famous for its lace making.
• Wander over the Rialto to see the Grand Canal. The banks of this huge waterway are lined with more than 180 buildings, which date back to the 13th and 18th century.

Departs at 6PM

Arrives at 8AM

This Italian city showcases cobbled, café-lined piazzas, Baroque churches and an old town that’s packed with pastel-coloured buildings. It’s a great jumping-off point for trips to scenery-laden Slovenia, too, as the city nuzzles up against the border.

• At the top of San Giusto hill, you’ll find a Medieval cathedral and castle, plus terraces with standout city views.
• If you’re heading to Slovenia, don’t miss the Postojna Caves. Besides stalactites and stalagmites, the caves have got a natural concert hall with impressive acoustics.
• Spend some time in the town’s lively heart, the beautiful Piazza Unita d’Italia.

Departs at 4PM

Arrives at 9AM

Over the past few years, Split has been staking its claim on the city-break map of Europe. Right in the heart of the Dalmatia region, this heart-stealer of a city has got pavement cafés, plenty of history, and a confetti of islands sprinkled off its coast.

• Navigate your way to the Cathedral of St Domnius, whose 13th-century oak doors depict scenes from Christ’s life, then delve into the shops and bars in the surrounding warren of lanes.
• Take a trip to the waterfalls at Krka, where the cascades of white water cover a 2-mile area.

Departs at 6PM

Ancient city walls. Higgledy-piggledy red rooftops. Cobbled streets worn by time. That’s Dubrovnik, a heart-stealing city that you just know you’re going to love the moment you arrive.

• Check out the 17th-century cathedral in the old town, with its striking gold and silver ruins. Then make tracks for Rector’s Palace, the former residence of Dubrovnik’s Republic Rector. It houses an impressive collection of artefacts and furniture.
• Leave the city behind and set sail for the nearby Elaphite Islands. All pine forests, beaches and olive groves, this trio offer up plenty in the way of Kodak-worthy scenery.