Dubrovnik & Split: The Dalmatian Coast

The Dalmatian coast is all honey-stone towns, glassy water and islands you can hop between on a whim. This guide walks you around Dubrovnik's famous walls at the right hour (early or late — never midday), out to Lokrum island for a swim, and up the cable car for the sunset. Then north to Split, where the old town is literally built inside a Roman emperor's palace, with day trips to Hvar and the blue lagoons. Game of Thrones fans get the filming spots; everyone gets the swims, the seafood and the easy island pace.