Hvar, Croatia: the perfect break

Because you’ll avoid the masses – the island Hvar (pronounced ‘var) is Dalmatia’s trendiest destination, after Dubrovnik, and gets jam-packed in summer. Spring should see the weather pleasantly sunny, the sea warm enough for a swim, and the main attractions and watersports up and running.

The warmer weather also brings splashes of colour to Hvar’s little- visited interior, with grapevines sprouting, the famed lavender fields turning silvery-purple, and pastures dotted with flowers and delicious wild asparagus.