Lastovo

Lying far out to sea, Lastovo is an island of green, fertile valleys and is practically self-sufficient: locally caught seafood, not least the delicious lobster, and homegrown vegetables are the staple diet. The main settlement, Lastovo Town, is made up of stone houses built amphitheater-style into a hillside, crisscrossed by cobbled alleys and flights of steps; they're renowned for tall chimneys resembling minarets. The only other settlement on the island is the small port of Ubli, which is 10 km (6 mi) from Lastovo Town.

Although it is officially in Southern Dalmatia, locals chose to have direct transport links with Split in Central Dalmatia rather than Dubrovnik. To get there, take the Jadrolinija daily ferry service from Split to Ubli, stopping at Hvar Town and Vela Luka en route. Jadrolinija also runs a daily catamaran from Split covering the same route; it's faster but a little more expensive.