SunLodge at Camping Bijela Uvala

Poreč's sleepy old town (10 minutes' drive) is well worth visiting for its restaurants, bars and Mediterranean vibes. It's also home to ancient history in the form of the Euphrasian Basilica, a World Heritage Site with roots that go back as far as the 6th century. The town also has attractions to keep the kids entertained, including an aquarium and, just out of town, Aquacolors waterpark (five minutes from base). Slightly further afield, the Istrian peninsula is brimming with things to see and do. Pula (45 minutes), for instance, has a well-preserved Roman amphitheatre and attractive Venetian fortress, while the eastern and central parts of the peninsula around the town of Pazin (30 minutes) is home to a number of waterfalls. Funtana also has potential for cross-border road trips up through Slovenia (40 minutes) to the mountains or over to Trieste (an hour and 10 minutes), an Italian port with a rich and storied history. Visits to other Croatian islands are up for grabs too: the Brijuni Islands, a national park, can be admired on cruises starting in Pula or Poreč, while driving over to Cres via the ferry takes roughly an hour and a half.