Sibenik, Croatia

Lying at the mouth of the Krka River, picturesque Sibenik was originally built on a small island surrounded by walls and towers. First mentioned in 1066, Sibenik is the oldest native Croatian city on the Adriatic and is replete with cultural and historical monuments, monasteries and churches. The lovely city is home to the majestic Cathedral of St. James, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the Palace of Diocletian, which dates back to the 4th century. The delightful medieval monastery garden of St. Lawrence is a step back into the past: the gardens, designed by noted landscape architect Dragutin Kiš, are a re-creation of the foliage of what medieval monks would have harvested and feature a lovely café amidst the tranquil paths. The quaint Old Town area offers a remarkable selection of sightseeing and shopping opportunities, and the deep, protected harbor is a beautiful place to wander and take pictures of the limestone cliffs and green offshore islands. Sibenik is the gateway to historic Trogir, built upon a small island and home to the remarkable 13th-century Cathedral of St. Lawrence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Nearby lies the magnificent Krka National Park, where a wide variety of animals, birds and plants welcome you to its splendor and the cool spray from the spectacular Skradinski Buk waterfall system refreshes all lucky enough to gaze upon its beauty.