Croatia

Croatia is where the Adriatic Sea meets ancient Roman walls, medieval hilltop towns, and over a thousand islands — a place where you can sip local wine on a sun-drenched Dalmatian terrace one day and hike through the otherworldly turquoise lakes of Plitvice the next. Its blend of Mediterranean coast, Central European heritage, and laid-back island-hopping culture makes it feel like several distinct countries in one, without the crowds of more overrun destinations.