Lešić Dimitri Palace

Croatia is quickly becoming one of Europe’s top summer destinations after been a hidden gem for some time and with 13 one to four bedroom accommodations, Lešić Dimitri Palace, in Korčula Town, offers a divine setting to enjoy one the continents underrated places. The explorer was allegedly born next door to the hotel comprising a magnificent fifteenth-century limestone bishop's palace and five neighbouring medieval stone cottages, which explains the rooms' exotic place-names. This sort of themed history would be gimmicky were it not for the fact that this is easily the most beautifully decorated small hotel in Croatia.

All rooms except the cosy Ceylon, tucked into a barrel-vaulted stone space where olive oil was once pressed, are spacious, light, and individually decorated with stylish contemporary furniture in mostly ivory tones, and share a common decorative motif with intricate patterns of carved wooden Arabic style screens, sometimes stamped into white enamelled steel, stencilled on plate glass, or carved in wood. Fully air-conditioned, they also come with well equipped kitchenettes and terrific bathrooms and many have whirlpool baths.

There's no bar or restaurant, but the small spa as well as its rental sailboats, which make day-trips to neighbouring islands are worth taking advantage of. All told, this is a heavenly spot, but what makes it even better is reserving a room with an outdoor terrace if you come during the summer.