Korcula makes the most of its brilliant blue surrounds

When the crowds of Dubrovnik start to overwhelm, the verdant island of Korcula with its olive-and-grape strewn interior and medieval walled capital makes an ideal escape.

Korcula Town - with its imposing fortifications, striking Venetian architecture and tangle of narrow, pedestrianized streets - resembles a mini-Dubrovnik. It juts out into the Adriatic, making the most of its brilliant blue surrounds.

Korcula Town has the island's greatest number of accommodation and eating options. Ideally, you'd want to be within easy walking distance of the town's excellent daily fruit and vegetable market and selection of traditional restaurants serving seasonal seafood specialties (be sure to sample the local wine, regarded as some of Croatia's finest).

Korcula Island is ringed by warm transparent water. And while you could jump into the ocean from just about any point on its coastline, official shingle, sandy and rocky beaches are merely a short bus or water taxi ride away from Korcula Town.

For secluded sunbathing amid wooded coves, make for one of the offshore Skoji islands where you'll also find some designated nudist hangouts.