One writer said Croatia is like Italy 75 years ago. I can't attest to the accuracy of that, but with its narrow, winding cobblestone streets, and abundant blossoms of bougainvillea cascading down ancient stone walls it does have a similar feel. Of course, the Romans left their mark along the Adriatic coast with vestiges of their work still in evidence. Dubrovnik, the Pearl of the Adriatic, is like a tiny kingdom unto itself. The wide, stone city walls, that give it clear definition sit high above the Adriatic Sea and allows you, if you wish, to circumvent the entire city with a bird's eye view.
Korcula, is another lovely, delightfully small walled town. It was ruled by Venice for about eight centuries and the The surrounding area is home to some family-owned wineries and where the grapes for Syrah are believed to have originated.
Bosnia virtually has only a toe in the waters of the Adriatic, but a short drive from Ploce, brings you to Mostar, a town comprised of Muslims in the eastern part and Bosnian Croats in the western. Stari Most, the Old Bridge was originally built in the 16th century but was wracked with shelling in 1993. The reconstruction brought both ethnic sides of the city together in 2004 to rededicate it as a symbol of diversity.
The amazingly clear waters of the Adriatic invite swimmers to step in around its shallow shores, but it plunges into the earth and averages over 800 feet in depth. It's a wonderful backdrop for dramatic sunsets.
