Summer holiday rentals in Croatia

There's a nice mix of the old and new in Zadar. One of the town's main landmarks is a Roman forum from the 1st century AD, and the historic centre is wrapped around by ancient walls, gates and towers. Zadar is probably best known, however, for its sea organ: a contemporary art project which uses wave power to generate deep, sonorous notes.

Park Less than 30 nautical miles from Zadar, this park consists of close to 90 islands full of quiet bays and inlets where you can see rare animals and plants. To visit, you can buy a pass or charter a boat for the day, or you can dock overnight at the marina on Piskera island.

The marble for the Roman Emperor Diocletian's palace in Split was quarried on the island of Brac, which boasts some of the loftiest mountain peaks on the Adriatic coast, perfect for a day's hike. The landscape is dotted with quaint stone villages such as Murvica village, where you'll find the excellent Hrvoje Bakovic winery - try a bottle of red with a lamb dish or goat's cheese. The old town of Bol is home to Zlatni Rat Beach, one of the most popular tanning spots in the Dalmatian islands. Near the fishing village of Milna is Smrka Bay; here you can go for a swim through old Yugoslav submarine pens which tunnel deep into the rock.

If you're thinking of taking the kids to Croatia, Makarska is a safe bet with attractions catering to all ages. The smart waterfront and esplanade offer plenty of opportunities for eating out and retail therapy, and the beaches are family-friendly, with a range of land and water sports available. If you really want to work off some energy, you can always go hiking into the mountains which form a picturesque backdrop to this elegant resort town.

No cars are allowed on the island of Kolocep, making it a great choice if you're after a bit of peace and quiet. Less than half an hour by boat from Dubvronik, it's also a good spot for diving. Explore the sunken wrecks off Cape Bezdan, or go kayaking to the Blue Cave, where light reflected off the sandy sea bed creates unearthly lighting effects.