Rovinj, Croatia

Brightly painted buildings, twisting streets, and a baroque hilltop church clustered together on a small peninsula make the ancient fishing port of Rovinj a highlight of Croatia’s Istrian coast. Sample just-hauled-in-from-the-Adriatic sardines, famous local truffles, and wine from indigenous Istrian grapes. (It’s worth the 10-minute drive to family-run Stancija Collis to taste delicious Malvasia, as well as olive oil and goat cheese.) The national park spread over the Brijuni islands is an excellent day trip, with boat connections from the nearby village of Fažana.