Set the alarm and you can have the Old Town all to yourself. Early morning is the best time to stroll among the piazzas, limestone-paved thoroughfares and narrow cobbled streets of Dubrovnik's heart. See outstanding examples of Renaissance and Baroque architecture and take in that unique Old Town atmosphere before sitting down to a delicious continental breakfast.

With temperatures nudging 30°C in the hottest summer months, you'll find the azure waters of the Adriatic too tempting to resist. Head for Banje beach, or the quieter Sveti Jakov if you fancy a day sunbathing or trying your hand at some water sports. For exclusive stretches, check out Dubrovnik's top hotels, which have their own private beaches.

According to many observers, this architectural masterpiece is Dubrovnik's finest medieval building. A harmonious marriage of Renaissance and Baroque styles, the Palace was constructed between the 14th and 19th centuries as the residence of the city's chief citizen and as the centre of government. Today, the Palace is home to Dubrovnik's Cultural History Museum.

It would be inexcusable to depart Dubrovnik without visiting the City Walls. Apart from being an integral part of the city's history, the elevated walls offer outstanding views out to sea and across the Old Town. Work on the walls is said to have begun in the 9th century, and today, they remain the city's most popular attraction.

Just 15 minutes from Dubrovnik by boat, the tiny islet of Lokrum is uninhabited and unspoilt. With it's own botanical garden and nature reserve, Lokrum is the perfect place to swap city crowds for pines and cypress trees. You can also glimpse its medieval past by seeing the remains of an 11th century Benedictine monastery that stood here.