Pine Beach Pakoštane

Make the most of proximity to the Mediterranean with days on, in and under its waves – opt for diving in Biograd or surfing in Sveti Filip i Jakov, 10 minutes’ drive away, or take to a boat for trips out to Kornati National Park or (about 40 minutes from base) to the vineyards of Kaprije island. If tamer water is more tempting, the site’s just five minutes from Croatia’s largest lake, Lake Vrana, where anglers can toss out a line, twitchers can birdwatch at the ornithological reserve, and active types can cycle, kayak and follow education trails – or visit the paintball arena five minutes away. Explores of the immediate area can be done the fast way or the slow way: for the former, sign up for a buggy tour in Biograd to go on safari, tour the lake or spend the day following almost inaccessible wild trails; for the latter, the nearby riding club has tours of the coast and lake, as well as swims with equine pals. For city days, head 40 minutes along the coast to Šibenik where there are museums, an aquarium and terrarium, a waterpark, a falconry centre, medieval gardens, and a host of fortresses... as well as shops, bars, theatres and local restaurants.