Kayakers are always fun. They are littoral luvvies really, seeking a different perspective on life. Most people in life like to look out to sea, but kayakers take in the landscape and all its complexities from the water. If you haven’t kayaked before, Croatia is a top place to start.

There is no shortage of sea kayaking in Croatia, but for total immersion in fresh water try white water rafting at one of their inland beauty spots. Not only will you escape the summer crowds, but you will be cooler in so many ways.

A great time to visit vineyards and sample the fine wines on offer, as this is the harvesting season. The weather is still mild, there are few tourists around, and you can stimulate your taste buds and mood as you go. It is also the food harvest for many producers too, so markets are fecund and restaurants have the time to chat about their specialties and engage about their culture. And if you go for a guided tour that takes you from fine wine to fine food, you don’t have to worry about driving either. The vineyards stretch all the way to the north, so consider combining this with a Slovenian wine tasting tour too. And who can resist a two for the price of one offer on wine?