Visit Adriatic islands and coastal towns rich in natural beauty and history. From Venice—where a full day is available for a walking tour or your own pursuits—cruise to Piran, Slovenia. Enjoy wandering the cobblestone lanes of this charming town of red tile roofs and faded pastel homes. Or opt for an excursion to Postojna Caves, an immense subterranean network of galleries and chambers adorned with colorful stalactites and stalagmites.

Heading south to the Dalmatian Archipelago, Zadar, Korcula and Dubrovnik are medieval walled cities of contrasting size, with museums, historic churches and monuments, cafes and shops all neatly contained within the walls. Millennia of history can be seen at every turn in these cities that survived and flourished through subsequent domination by the Illyrians, Romans, Ottomans, Venetians and Hapsburg's.

The southernmost point of our Adriatic journey is Vlora, Albania and the archaeological site of Apollonian, an ancient city founded by the Greeks in the fifth century B.C. that later became a Roman cultural center. Long forgotten, the town was “discovered” by 19th-century archaeologists, but many structures remain buried. Just to the north in Montenegro, towering mountains and the irregularly shaped shoreline create spectacular views of the Gulf of Kotor. Historic sites and fortifications within the town of Kotor have been remarkably restored from a devastating earthquake 25 years ago.

In Split, the palace of the Emperor Diocletian shows a remarkable resiliency of use through the centuries. Explore the imperial apartment as well as the octagonal mausoleum, converted in the Middle Ages to the Cathedral of St. Dominus. Approaching Sibenik from the sea, this 9th-century city looks like a vast amphitheater crowned with ancient fortifications. Its narrow streets encourage a leisurely stroll to inspect the churches, palaces, shops and cafes. Of interest is 15th-century St. Jacob's Cathedral with its unusual vaulted concrete roof. Later in the morning, an optional excursion along the Krka River reveals deep travertine gorges and beautiful cascades in Krka National Park.