Croatia's Dalmatian Coast By Sea – With Smithsonian Journeys

Located at the head of the Adriatic Sea between the mouths of the Piave and Po Rivers, an intricate web of 118 tiny islands and canals make up the enchanting city of Venice in Italy. Considered to be an extremely beautiful and romantic destination, it is not surprising that Venice has played an important role in the history of symphonic and operatic music. One must take a gondola ride along some of the over 150 canals, including the Grand Canal. Read more about Venice, Italy

The popular tourist spot of Rovinj, a city in Croatia, is situated on the north Adriatic Sea on the western coast of the Istrian peninsula. Delicately poised between a medieval port and a modern tourist resort, it has managed to preserve its character by keeping major development well away from its historic centre. The Old Town is perched on an elevated peninsula surrounded by spacious Venetian terracotta-roofed houses, elegant piazzas, and crowned by the Church of St. Read more about Rovinj, Croatia

Zadar is a Croatian city located not far from Sibenik. It is a several thousands of years old town and it was the capital of Dalmatia for many centuries. Several layers of city walls with their attractive and impressive entries dating back to the 16th century, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque monuments, as well as a preserved collection of church silver and gold, all bear witness to the city's tumultuous past. Read more about Zadar, Croatia

Split, in Croatia, is a busy port on the shores of the Mediterranean and has numerous ferries operating to and from nearby islands. It is also a popular tourist resort with beaches and pleasant promenades. Venetian, Gothic and Renaissance houses and several medieval churches add architectural interest. Read more about Split, Croatia

Hvar is a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea located off the Dalmatian coast. The climate is characterised by mild winters and warm summers, and this, together with beautiful beaches and Mediterranean vegetation, make it a most attractive tourist destination. Hvar town features a large public square - St Stephen’s Square - that is open to the sea, and in season the port is filled with large yachts. Read more about Hvar, Croatia

Korcula is a Croatian island in the Adriatic Sea lying just off the Dalmatian Coast. The greenest, most independent and most interesting of Croatia's 1,000 or so islands, Korcula is very much a law unto itself, as you might expect from a community that has resisted the sieges of centuries. Korcula Town is a mini-fortress enclosed with honey-coloured stone walls built in the 14th century, with round defensive towers. Read more about Korcula, Croatia

Mljet is a small island in the Dalmatia region of Croatia, the most southerly and easterly of the larger Adriatic islands. It is elongated, 36km by 3km, one of many such islands along the coast. The more prominent Croatian tourist destination of Dubrovnik lies 30km to the ESE. Read more about Mljet Island, Croatia

Located along one of Montenegro's most beautiful bays is picturesque Kotor. The bay is the deepest natural inlet in the Adriatic Sea, and the scenery around it is spectacular. Its well-preserved Old Town - surrounded by an impressive city wall - nestles at the head of southern Europe’s deepest sunken river valley. Read more about Kotor, Montenegro

Dubrovnik, a Croatian city on the Adriatic Sea coast, is a prominent tourist destination. The city joined the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1979. An outstanding feature of the Old Town of Dubrovnik is its intact city walls that run uninterrupted for 1,940m encircling the city. Read more about Dubrovnik, Croatia