Croatia achieves the incredible feat of weaving it's history and architecture into the landscape of daily life, and it does so beautifully. It is a majestic-feeling country that really blew me away--there were so many places to see and things to do, all within a relatively small area. We did a bit of a grand tour, visiting Dubrovnik, Hvar, Split and the Plitvice Lakes National Park. Both Dubrovnik and Split are ancient, stunning cities built within the confines of enormous walls. Hvar was my favorite--it is an island close to Split, where you can board a ferry to get to the island. Summer is peak season in Hvar, which kind of like the Hamptons of Croatia. If you want to mix in a little adventure as well, the Plitvice Lakes are a gorgeous hiking destination a drive up the coast from Split. 

Where to Stay: In Dubrovnik, we stayed at Hotel More, about a 15 minute drive from the city walls. Within the walls is quite touristy, so it was nice to stay somewhere a bit removed from the hustle and bustle. The hotel is built into the cliffs and has beautiful views of the water. In Hvar, I recommend an apartment rental--the hotels leave a lot to be desired, while the apartment options are nice and spacious. In Split, the Palace Judita is a beautiful, historic hotel right in the middle of the main square.

Where to Play: Within the walls of Dubrovnik, check out Cafe Buza. It is, quite literally, a hole in the wall--the entrance is an opening along one of the city walls. Inside, the most incredible water views await you at a bar built into the outside of the wall. It is the perfect place to enjoy a cocktail while watching the sunset or take a break from exploring Dubrovnik. Hotel More has a great bar built into a cave in the cliffs, appropriately titled "Cave Bar." In Hvar, there are plenty of bars and restaurants lining the beaches, and a lively nightlife. A visit isn't complete without going to Carpe Diem, where there is a pre-party at a bar along the shore. Around midnight, boats take you to a club on a private island that stays open until 6am. You are guaranteed to have a good time.