Leave aside any preconceptions that Croatia is all about boats. In fact, with eight stunning national parks to its name, it is also all about boots. Walking befits the culture here too because Croatians’ pride in their land is infectious and so, by walking through it, you become caught up in this inherent joie de vivre. This pride is also illustrated by the amount of land they have protected. Their numerous national parks range from flat and coastal Mljet Island in the south, to mountainous and inland Risnjak NP in the far north.

A small group tour with expert guides is perfect for some of the tougher trails through the canyons of Plitvice Lakes NP, for example, which have so many waterways to explore, it is hard to know where to start. Or saunter independently, having your bags transported for you, to the likes of the Elaphiti Islands along the coast. Either way, it’s all plain sailing.