Rovinj

An irresistible jewel of Istria, Rovinj sits idyllically by the Adriatic in a series of rocks and red-tiled roofs painted white by the gleam of the Croatian sun. The historic centre of the town is the real draw, made up of countless winding roadways and cobbled alleys. Roman in origin, this area hides shady piazzas where truffle-doused pastas meet Croat stews, postcard shops and souvenir stalls aplenty, and the occasional swaying Spanish fir. The shimmering faces of St Euphemia’s Church at the heart of the old town reflect mirror-like against the turquoise shore waters where locals splash and swim below. Strings of pearly white beaches line the Istrian shores to the north and south, while pretty, stuccoed farmhouses-cum-hotels pepper the woodlands. and fish markets erupt on the roadsides touting some of the Med’s freshest fare. To take all this in, Rovinj tour guides often recommend scaling the heights of St Euphemia’s great tower which stands soaring and tall, a marble-clad icon of this marble-clad town. Away from the town centre, visitors can look to explore the islands that form the archipelago from the quiet serene Katarina to the rocky beaches of Red island, while more intrepid types should plan a diving trip to the wreck of the Baron Gautsch.