20-Nights Croatia to the Greek Islands: Zagreb Nights & Santorini Views - 18-to-Thirtysomethings

Plitvice National Park

Bay of Kotor

For centuries, Montenegro's Boka Kotorska, or Bay of Kotor, the deepest coastal inlet in the Mediterranean, was the boundary between Christianity and Islam. Today, the beach-lined bay, located 35 mi/55 km west of Podgorica, is home to several tourist resorts and historical sites. It is also considered one of the most beautiful bays in the world, and is the southernmost fjord in Europe.

Herceg Novi, strategically located at the northern entrance of the Bay of Kotor, is close to the borders of Bosnia and Croatia. Herceg Novi is noted for its city gates, fortresses and the church and monastery of Savina, which contain Gothic and baroque architecture. It is also a haven for artists, with numerous galleries located throughout the area that continuously hold exhibitions. If you visit in February, you can attend the Mimosa Festival, which is the city's oldest traditional event.

The 14th-century port of Perast has been declared a national conservation area. It has a strong seafaring tradition—Peter the Great, when building up the Russian Navy, sent sailors to its naval academy. With the mountains in the background and the Bay of Kotor in the foreground, Perast is a pleasant place to spend some time just relaxing or strolling its narrow streets.

At the southern end of the bay is the town of Kotor, a medieval walled city on the UNESCO World Heritage list. Kotor rates a full day to walk its narrow streets, investigate the shops and see Katedrala Sv. Tripuna (St. Tryphon's Cathedral). History buffs will enjoy the Maritime Museum located in the Grgurina Palace. If you're feeling fit, you can walk on Kotor's fortress walls that eventually wind their way up to St. Ivan's Castle. It's a steep climb, but worth it for the views of the bay.

Other interesting places along the bay include the fortresses and second-century Roman mosaics in Risan and the Island of Flowers near Tivat.

Paros, Greek Isle

Paros is a pristine escape among the Cyclades, with terraced hills inland accented by windmills and a coastline rich with relaxed, comfortable and traditional Greek towns, of which Paroikia is the central port. This island capital is a labyrinth of white houses clustered around the extraordinary Ekatontapyliani - the Church of a Hundred Doors. Legend says there are 99 doors already discovered and upon finding the hundredth, Constantinople will be reunited with Greece. From antiquity, Paros has been known for its famed, translucent marble; such famous statues as the Venus de Milo was made from it. Also visit the Venetian castle, built on the site of an acropolis and steps away from the sea. From Paroikia you can also go to Naoussa, the Monastery of St John and Prodromos.

Ios

This Cycladic island 125 mi/200 km southeast of Athens is the place to go if you want a wild time in Greece. There are plenty of all-night bars and dance clubs to attract a young (ages 18-25) crowd. You won't be bothered by obligatory tours of cultural sites—there are none.

The island has 365 churches, one for every day of the year, as locals say. You will also find the tomb of Homer there, as the poet is said to have died on the island. During the summer, daily boat service operates from nearby islands and Piraeus.

Santorini

Athens

Corfu

Sarande

Tirana

Dubrovnik

Split

Zagreb