Piran's beautifully-preserved old town.

Perched on a pensinsula on the Adriatic coast, Piran is so close to Venice - geographically and physically - you'd be forgiven for thinking you were in Italy. 

From this beautifully-preserved fishing town adorned with Venetian Gothic architecture, you can watch the sun go down from a waterfront seafood restaurant before marvelling at the lights of Venice twinkling in the distance. 

Its Mediterranean climate and proximity to Venice (only 1.5 hours' boat ride away) has made it the most popular destination on Slovenia's 45km-long Adriatic coast. Piran is lorded over by the imposing St George's Church and boasts atmospheric alleyways and spectacular city and ocean views from its old town walls.

It gets pretty sweaty here in the summer when holidaymakers and locals retreat to the nearby rocky beaches to cool down. Kayaking as well as scuba diving on World War II wrecks are ideal ways to burn off the excesses of alfresco dining. 

In summer, frequent ferries links Piran with Croatia's Adriatic Coast and Venice and Trieste in Italy.