Pelješac peninsula, southern Dalmatia, Croatia

© helivideo/Getty Image

Pelješac peninsula

On Croatia’s second-largest peninsula, steep mountains blend into a landscape of sparling blue water and picturesque coves. A drive along this winding coastline will take you through world-famous vineyards, as well as two historic towns, Ston and Orebić, that sit on each end of the peninsula. While the peninsula’s name has changed throughout history, it is believed that its current name is derived from Pelisac, which is a hill above the town of Orebić.

In Orebić, a challenging hike takes you to the top of Sveti Ilija mountain. At 961 metres above sea level, this is the peninsula’s highest summit and offers stunning views that make it worth hiking to the top. If you’d rather take some time to enjoy the heat of the summer sun, there are plenty of beaches where you can sunbathe, or – for something more adventurous – the Adriatic sea is ideal for water sports such as windsurfing, like the thrill seekers we see in today’s image.