Porec

Croatia's biggest and most developed resort eases visitors into a sun-drenched Mediterranean holiday akin to something you might expect to find in Spain or Greece. Porec, though, has much more to offer than sun, sea and pebbly beaches. The Istrian town has a history that dates back to Roman times and its attractive old core is littered with relics harking back from this period, with the UNESCO World Heritage listed Basilica of St Euphrasius the highlight. For those who want to explore this idyllic region of Croatia in more depth, Porec is also an ideal base for forays into the historic resort town of Rovinj, the pleasant low-key resort of Umag and the port city of Pula, as well as a flurry of inland hill towns that are increasingly being lauded as the New Tuscany.

From late spring to early autumn the majority of visitors to Porec are Western and Central Europeans who check into its resort hotels for a coastal family holiday. Porec's old town, with its cluster of historical attractions and family-orientated dining scene, is also a firm favourite with holidaymakers.

Porec is located around midpoint on the west coast of the Istrian peninsula. The region of Istria is in northwest Croatia. Pula airport is 64km (40 miles) south; Rovinj is 24km (15 miles) south and Pula 69km (43 miles) south.

Jutting out into the Adriatic, Porec's old town is flanked by the Adriatic Sea on three sides. Porec's resort hotels, and its beaches, are located outside the city. Brulo is 1.5km (1 mile) to the south, Plava Laguna 4km (2.5 miles) and Zelena Laguna 6km (4 miles). Pical is 1.5km (1 mile) north. Both the old town and the resorts are flat.

The coastline around Porec is dotted with rocky and pebbly beaches, as well as concrete bathing terraces, with those at the resorts of Pical, Brulo Plava Laguna and Zelena Laguna enduringly popular. For the best beach take a boat from Porec harbour to the Island of St Nicholas. The Sloaris, Ulika and Zelena Laguna are naturist camps with nudist beaches.

In the Basilica of St Euphrasius (off Eufrazijjeva), Porec harbours one of the most impressive Byzantine structures in the world and this UNESCO World Heritage site is simply unmissable. Highlights include intricate mosaics that date back to the 4th century and stunning 6th century frescoes, a riot of precious and semi-precious metal and stone. Soak up panoramic city views from the top of the 16th-century bell tower, and check out the ruined Temple of Neptune (Trg Marafor) or the Romanesque House (Decumanus).

Porec is an excellent resort for families with the sea and shingle beaches on the doorstep of hotels that were constructed with children in mind. Most hotels have swimming pools. Tennis, mini-golf, banana-boat rides, cycle hire, pedalos and other watersports are available in the resorts. Restaurants are family-friendly.

Many of Porec's shops, especially those around Decamanus, are geared towards holidaymakers, so if you are hankering after ice-cream or cheesy souvenirs you won't be disappointed. Shop for groceries, clothes and gifts at the LaCop shopping centre (Mate Vlasica 20). The Istrian capital, Pula, 69km (43 miles) to the south, offers a more cosmopolitan shopping experience.

As a resort that caters primarily to families and older holidaymakers, after-dark activities in Porec's old town are pleasantly low key. Pavement café-bars buzz into the evening during the summer. If you want to party until dawn then your best bet are the hotel discos or the Colonia beach club (City Beach), located just east of the city centre.

There are plenty of places to eat both in Porec old town and its bustling resort complexes. Seafood is the order of the day, with everything from sea bass to lobster popping up on menus. Italy's influence is also omnipresent with good pizzerias and Italian restaurants. In the summer tables and chairs spill over onto outdoor terraces. Seafood lovers should make a beeline for Istra (Boze Milanovica 30), while Nono  (Zagrebacka 4) is arguably the best pizzeria in the old town.

Porec has a good bus network, with the services that run south to the Plava Laguna and Zelena Laguna most useful to holidaymakers. A seasonal tourist train and waterbus also run to the resorts. It is possible to travel between the main Istrian resorts on national bus services, but you're better off hiring a car to explore inland Istria.

Inland Istria has been courting much more attention recently, with its rolling hills, picturesque hill towns, bountiful local truffles, and vineyards earning it favourable comparisons with Tuscany. For a memorable tour of Istria's verdant hinterland don't miss the chocolate-box-pretty Motovun or dreamy Groznjan with its colourful resident artists.

Enjoy one of Croatia's most decadent gastronomic experiences at Restaurant Zigante (Livade 7) (website: www.zigantetartufi.com) in Livade. Sumptuous set menus feature truffle-infused carpaccio, truffle-filled Istrian pasta, meat or fish with truffle. Even desserts are flavoured with truffle. Delectable food, an opulent interior and an elegant courtyard are guaranteed to impress.

Pula Airport (PUY)