Kotor is a town of medieval architecture and historic monuments, influenced by its time under the rule of the Republic of Venice between 1420 and 1797. Set to a backdrop of majestic mountains, the scenery is second to none, so be sure to keep your camera handy. The Gulf of Kotor is sometimes called the southernmost fjord in Europe, although it is actually a submerged river canyon. The overhanging limestone cliffs of Orjen and Lovćen complete one of the Mediterranean’s most beautiful landscapes. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the best preserved medieval towns in the Adriatic. Take a stroll through the old town and you’ll find many cathedrals, churches and Venetian palaces to explore. St. Tryphon’s Cathedral, Church of St. Nicolas, Church of Our Lady of Remedy and Kotor Maritime Museum are a few to get you started. Visit Our Lady of the Rocks or, take a 15-minute drive to Perast, a picturesque village at the edge of the bay, which is one of the most romantic places in Montenegro and affords a stunning view over the twin islets.

A scant few miles off the Albanian coast lies the island of Corfu, one of the most richly endowed of all the Greek Isles. Praised by Homer in “The Odyssey” and selected by Shakespeare as the setting for “The Tempest,” the island retains evidence of cultural heritage from each of its past rulers – Byzantium, Venice, France, Russia and Great Britain. Rolling acres of olive groves, small orchards of lemon and orange trees, tall cypress, oleander, and myrtle bushes lend a lush, verdant look to the island. While the oldest part of Corfu Town has cobblestone lanes so narrow only pedestrian travel is possible, the modern sector has wide avenues. Residents boast that its “Spianada” is the largest and most beautiful square in all Greece.

Split is an ancient city founded on the Adriatic coast toward the end of the 3rd century. It is here that the emperor Diocletian built his walled castle on the slopes above the bay. Today that well-preserved palace and the later historic building built within its walls, form the heart of old Split, earning the community a place on the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites. Split is a busy port with numerous ferries operating to and from nearby islands. It is also a popular resort with beaches and pleasant promenades.

Located some 30 miles off the Croatian coast, Vis is the most westerly inhabited island in the Adriatic and the largest in the Vis archipelago — a designated UNESCO Global Geopark and biodiverse haven for bottlenose dolphins, giant devil rays, and blue-fin tuna. The Greeks first settled here in the 4th century BC, followed by the Romans; during World War II, Vis served as an Allied base and refuge for future Yugoslav president Josip Broz Tito. (You can visit the cave where Marshal Tito led his resistance efforts.) Only a few scattered ruins attest to the island’s former glory, although you can view Croatia’s largest collection of Hellenic artifacts at the archeological museum in Vis Town; just outside of town stands Fort George, built by the British in 1813. Closed to foreigners until 1989, Vis remains sparsely populated, much of it covered in vineyards, pine groves, and citrus orchards. Take a winery tour, relax on Rastovaca Beach, or hop on a moped and head to the tiny fishing village of Komiza; from there, catch a boat to Bisevo, an islet renowned for its mesmerizing Blue Cave.

Located in central Dalmatia Zadar is one of the Adriatic’s most historically interesting towns with a wealth of sightseeing and exciting nightlife. Zadar was founded by the Romans, attacked by the Turks, ruled by the Austrians and made part of Italy until 1943 when the Germans moved in. Allied bombing destroyed much of the historic centre which was rebuilt after the war only to suffer more attacks by Yugoslav forces in 1991. In recent years Zadar has undergone a startling revival. Cafes and bars are filled, museums and churches have been restored and tourists pour in to take boats to nearby islands.

Founded in the 7th century, Dubrovnik rose to greatness as a merchant state, independent republic and cultural crossroads. The traffic-free Old Town has been called a Croatian Athens. This UNESCO designated World Heritage Site is a living museum of the ages with fortifications, chapels, monastic cloisters and Europe’s second-oldest synagogue crowded into its ancient walls. Relax at a sidewalk café, listen to the chimes of the 14th-century bell tower or join the promenade down the palace-lined avenue known as the Stradun.