Croatia

Dubrovnik was the first state in the world to officially abolish the slave trade — in 1416, over 400 years before the British Empire. The city-republic of Ragusa prided itself on freedom ('Libertas') above all.

Hvar is one of the sunniest spots in Europe with over 2,700 hours of sunshine per year — and has been cultivating lavender since the 14th century. The island's lavender fields bloom purple every June.

Opatija was the Austro-Hungarian Empire's most fashionable resort — Emperor Franz Joseph, Gustav Mahler, and Anton Chekhov all strolled its promenade. The Habsburgs essentially invented beach tourism here.

Split's old town is literally a Roman emperor's retirement palace. Diocletian built his palace in 305 AD to retire into, and citizens simply moved in after his death — making it one of the best-preserved Roman monuments with people still living inside.

Zadar has been bombed, besieged, and devastated more times than almost any city in Europe — Byzantines, Venetians, Crusaders, Austrians, and NATO aircraft in 1944 all left their mark. Yet its Roman forum still stands in the city centre.