Brac

Not even Croatia's greatest fan would rave about its sandy beaches, but there's one that wins the beauty contests. It's Zlatni Rat, or the "Golden Horn" in the resort of Bol. Made up of smooth white pebbles it extends like a tongue into the sea for about 1,600ft. Backed by pine tree and dramatic cliffs with most of the hotels tucked away in the woods west of the town, it makes for a picture-postcard setting.

But there's more to Brac than just a beach. Like so many of the island communities it also boasts a full complement of monasteries, churches and museums. These include the Dominican monastery museum, the highlight of which is a stunning altar painting entitled Madonna With Child And Saints by Tintoretto.

Bol, located in one of Brac's many hidden coves, is a hit with the sporty set and known as the windsurfing capital of Croatia, with the wind reaching its peak after lunch and dying down in the evening. Tennis has also become popular in the wake of Croatia's success at Wimbledon, and you'll see wannabe champions galore practising their serves at the excellent tennis centre near Zlatni Rat. There's a lively clubbing scene until around mid-September, when the island goes back to sleep for another year.

Hvar

The prettiest island of them all – luxuriantly green and frequently dubbed the Madeira of the Adriatic – Hvar is carpeted with heather, rosemary and lavender, leading visitors to feel they're staying in a perfumed garden.

Hvar town is a honey-coloured medieval gem – wander round its traffic-free marble streets and marvel at the richly decorated mansions and palaces. The elaborate 16th-century Cathedral of St Stjepan is a reminder of the former prosperity of its citizens, and its theatre – which dates from 1612 – is believed to be the first in Europe open to aristocrats and commoners alike.

The town may look like a medieval museum, but it is very much a living monument. In its streets people clatter cheerfully over the polished patina of hundreds of years and linger into the night over feasts of octopus and lobster in restaurants crowding the harbour.

And with a record 2,715 hours' sunshine every year, it's not surprising that holiday resorts have sprung up. Jelsa and Stari Grad are among the gems built around handsome old ports and fishing villages, but buzzing with 21st-century activities.

Rovinj, Istria

The Venetians arrived in the 13th century and liked Istria – the largest peninsula in the Adriatic – so much they stayed for nearly 500 years. Their influence is visible in Rovinj, one of its prettiest communities. Traffic-free alleys around its harbour and the steep cobbled streets of the old town make intersting exploring. The skyline is dominated by the baroque Cathedral of St Euphenia, which and offers superb views along the coast if you've the puff to climb its 60ft belltower.

Hidden pebbly coves are scooped out of the bay – buy jelly shoes for comfortable swimming – while the wreck of an Austrian steamer makes for good diving. An archipelago of 13 islets, 20 minutes away by boat, is ideal for holidaymakers who want to play Robinson Crusoe for the day or chug off for a fish picnic. Then there's always Venice itself, an easy day-trip away.

By night there's plenty to entertain. Dining al fresco in one of the many seafood restaurants is probably the most popular pastime, but nights can get noisy in August and September when the town celebrates its folk festivals.

The search for unique scenery in which to set his stories brought the father of science fiction, Jules Verne, to Rovinj. It's easy to see why.

REPORT: JILL CRAWSHAW