Split, Croatia

Croatia’s sun-warmed coastal city is a must-visit for Emperor Diocletian’s 3rd-century palace alone. Though its Old Town, full of stony ways lined with bars and cafes, is also a looker. While you’re here, take a ferry out to Brač island, for white-pebble beaches and dips in the sapphire Adriatic. ✱ BOOK IT: Thomas Cook (thomascook.com) has seven nights’ B&B from £605pp with flights from Gatwick