Winning tip: Froggyland, Split

I know it sounds dumb but after you’ve spent days soaking in the amazing historic sites, Froggyland is a fun diversion - several hundred artfully taxidermied frogs arranged in amusing settings. Definitely worth a visit and there’s a craft ale bar round the corner!
• Entry around €5, froggyland.net
Wendy Moore

Great value eco resort

Pine Beach in Pakostane (south of Zadar) is an all-inclusive eco resort where guests stay in environment-friendly Polynesian-style reed bungalows, which have no electricity or sanitation. The bungalows are dotted around the pine forest, just steps from the sandy and rocky beaches. Shower blocks are clean and plentiful, and the bungalows benefit from cooling sea breezes. It’s a great way to holiday on a budget with all-inclusive pricing (which includes water sports, food, local drinks and children’s activities) but without the big, corporate feel of a large, glitzy resort.
• Hut from £5pppn, full board, inc watersports, pinebeach.hr/en
bowbank

Yellow Cat’s guest house, Šipan

This island has a raw beauty to it. It hasn’t been polished for tourists and has a humble, rugged, wild feel. Arriving at Guest House Šimunović, in Suđurađ, we were warmly welcomed by the owner and his wife with coffee and a tour of the outside kitchen and private jetty. They owned a few cats and as we were chatting we asked the owner his name. He replied: “Yellow Cat”. We cooked our meals outside and helped ourselves to homemade wine and fresh lemons from Yellow Cat’s organic farm. We hiked up to the highest point on the island, where there is a disused church. From there, you get a spectacular panoramic view of the island and can see as far as the mainland and the mountains where the border to Bosnia and Herzegovina is. We spent hours jumping off the jetty into the water. On one occasion we were startled by a wetsuit-clad, spear-wielding Yellow Cat emerging from the sea laden with octopuses which we later grilled over hot coals and smothered in olive oil. Wonderful.
• Doubles from about £25 room only, +385 98 984 1801, no website
Susube

Dining in Rabac

This small coastal resort in Istria has a complete lack of British tourists and a faraway feel. Crystal clear water, secluded pebbly coves, pine woods, cicadas, butterflies, dolphins and stunning views make for a slow-paced break. Food is varied and delicious; dine at Gostionica Primorje (two courses from £20 for two, just off Obala Maršal Tita, no website), sitting harbourside under olive trees. It has charming service, Istrian specialities, seafood, delicious local wine and complimentary rakia.
hotbreezydoll

Salt pans at Ston

In Croatia’s far south is Ston. Its medieval outer walls, which have a circumference of 5km (making them among the longest in Europe), were built to protect salt production at a time when salt, it is often claimed, was more valuable than gold. The production of salt from evaporating sea water in shallow pools remained unchanged for thousands of years. Walking round the walls involved some steep inclines and effort but rewarded us with spectacular views over the unspoilt town and salt pans. Coming down into similarly medieval Mali (Little) Ston, where numerous oyster farms crisscross the bay, we sampled the region’s delicious seafood and tasted excellent local wines.
eurohike

Plitvice lakes

It’s well known but still an absolutely stunning national park, with lakes, forests, waterfalls and caves, and many hiking trails. The vibrant colours due to the limestone, water, trees and sunlight are amazing. You can end the day with a relaxing ride across lake Kozjak in an electric boat which is included in the price of the park’s entry fee.
• High season entry fee £21pp (low season £6), np-plitvicka-jezera.hr/en
giddyk

Croatia’s craggy side

In spring, Croatia is the perfect destination for sport climbing, with plenty of sunshine, accessible crags and routes to suit all abilities. Marjan hill, right next to Split, offers breathtaking views out to sea and back over the city. The climbing is interesting, well-bolted and surprisingly quiet – the place feels a world away from the bustle of tourists in the city. Another excellent climbing spot is Straćine on the island of Hvar, which can be reached by taxi from Stari Grad ferry port. The 15-minute walk up from the road through fragrant rosemary bushes is worth it for the stunning view and sense of tranquillity alone.
Immie282

Sandy beach at Nin

Most of the Croatian coastline is pebbly but we were lucky enough to have a local friend take us to a little-known beach at Nin, just north of Zadar, where soft sand greeted us. Not only that but there was therapeutic mud to wallow in, leaving the skin feeling soft and smooth all over.
Phil Moore

Sea kayaking near Dubrovnik

The sea kayaking trip I booked as a surprise for my best friend on her hen do was the absolute highlight of our trip. The tour took us to the beautiful Elaphiti islands near Dubrovnik, where we stopped off for cave swimming in the luminous Green Cave and cliff jumping from the rocky outcrops. The coastline and Dubrovnik looked so beautiful from the water. I booked the Arches, Caves, and Islands Kayak Day Tour with Outdoor Croatia, who were really friendly and helpful. It rained heavily on the day I had booked, which the guides advised would not have been safe for us. They happily moved our booking to the next day and even adapted the trip so we could finish early and catch our flight home in the afternoon.
• Arches tour from £38 inc all gear, outdoorcroatia.com
roflcopter123

Hvar apartments

Stay at Villa Nina, run by a cute male duo, a 15-minute walk from town - its self-catering apartments are reasonable and homely. The owners pick you up from the harbour, leave you out beautiful fruit each day, and sometimes invite you up to their house for a BBQ and homemade wine. A picture perfect beach is a short walk away for glorious sunsets and reasonable fish suppers. In town, marvel at the super yachts while sipping a cocktail overlooking the harbour at the Adriana hotel’s sky bar – best fish restaurant has to be Gariful right on the harbour. Afterwards, mosey down side streets with sumptuous cocktails and live music that floats through the streets on the warm air.
• Apartment from £40pn, on Facebook
Jessica Rogers