I am thinking of Croatia

try Pula on the Istrian peninsula of Croatia,its a lovely city with loads to do and access to beaches and countryside ,or Medulin which isn't far from Pula.We've been to Istria a few times and love it ,its also great for a day trip to Venice if you'd fancy that

It depends if you want a relaxing beach holiday and strolls along by the sea or to do some sightseeing; there are some wonderful old buildings although of course some got damaged in the war and have been renovated.
Most of the beaches are pebbly but the coastal areas are flat whereas inland is mountainous.

Some of the islands are lovely - Korcula and Hvar for instance.
There is a sandy beach on Korcula

Hi grannymilly we had a lovely holiday in Dubrovnik a few years ago, and we also explored a very pretty harbour resort called Cavtat - we got there by water taxi from Dubrovnik.

I searched online for some info about that area and came across this website:

www.silvertraveladvisor.com/review/place/156601-cavtat-two-weeks-in-cavtat-croatia

We did an amazing trip to Croatia last summer. We started in Dubrovnik and cruised along the coast. Breakfast as we set sail each morning and a couple of stops each day. We had 5 lunches and 2 dinners on board. The other evenings we ate out in the town we were docked in. Only 30 people on board. It is one of the best holidays I have had.
One of the ladies I travelled with suffers from MS and she managed all the tours that were laid on. Lots of people just did their own thing or stayed on the boat.
Beautiful coastline seen from a yacht.

That sounds really good Sunlover. We went to Montenegro last October and stayed all inclusive. It was so relaxing.A number of trips were offered and all abilities were catered for. It was a Jet2 holiday.
The location was beautiful: hotel by the coast surrounded by mountains. The staff were friendly and English widely spoken.

That sounds lovely Sunlover

In fact they all sound lovely and I have a yearn to go back again

We went to Croatia - Dubrovnik - for the first time last June and both really loved it. It is very scenic and clean, though not, I think, an area with many beaches. Mostly people swim from platforms on the rocks - but the sea is very clean and clear. There are several short (and longer) boat trips you can do from Dubrovnik - e.g. to Cavtat (30 mins by boat) and Lokrum (10 mins by boat), both of which are peaceful and lovely. Two sisters in my choir had a holiday in Cavtat last year and they thoroughly enjoyed it.

My neighbours go to Split every year, which is also supposed to be very nice.

We went to Split for a day last time we were there and had a wonderful guided tour, including Diocletian's Palace and other places of interest.

We stopped at Korcula whilst on a cruise. It was the best stop of the whole trip. I would definitely recommend it and hope to go back there myself for a longer stay sometime.

Been to Croatia many times (first when it was still Yugoslavia). I prefer thr Istra Penisula to the north rather than the south and Dubrovnik. There's a lot more things to do in the north and, dare I say it, the people are more friendly.

The first time I went I was 12 and stayed in Umag which is a pretty village. When the war ended tourism switched to Porec and Rovinj so while Umag is still nice, I'd stay in Porec instead. There are loads of hotels within walking distance of the town - thr Mediteran is lovely as the Jet2 rep is Scottish (married a local) and very knowledgeable about the area.

Tripwise you can take the hydrofoil over to Venice for the day direct from Porec. There's a day trip up into Slovenia to see the Lipica stud farm (Lipizzaner horses) and Postonja Caves which are stunning. You can also go to a hillside village or over to Optija which is a pretty drive. There aren't "sandy" beaches but the water is shallow near the coast and crystal clear so if you wear watershoes you can wade out a fair way.

Flights are to Pula which has a Roman Amphitheater which is interesting to visit. The city itself has shops and restaurants etc so worth a day visit.

Rovinj is on a hill but also popular as it's got winding streets up to a church on the top with views out over the sea.

Cavtat to the south is run down and badly needs an injection of tourist cash. We stayed there 2 years ago and I wasn't impressed. It looks tired and the locals while nice enough complained constantly about the Russians taking over (they buy land but don't develop seemingly). Dubrovnik was pretty but touristy and the bus drivers were downright rude to ANY tourist while fawning over themselves for locals - letting them on before tourists that had been standing much longer for the same bus.

I've not been to Split area so can't comment on their but have booked to return to Pula this year again and hoping to see Lake Bled (another day trip you can do) and perhaps the Plitvice Lakes which again are reachable from Porec / Pula.

Also recommend Jet2Holidays. Can pay £60 deposit then instalments to make it easier on the wages. Can book food in advance (and it's actually edible) as well as transfers included to the hotel. I book tours through Thomson Excursions who use local company Tui for their tours. Usually a wee bit cheaper to buy in advance - just make sure you print out a copy of your ticket.

If you want any more details, drop me a PM as happy to help. My family love Croatia (and was my very first holiday abroad as a kid so special in that respect).

Good luck!

Who did you do that trip through Sunlover? It sounds idylic, just the sort of thing I would like to do.

I've been to Budva, Dubrovnik and went to Split two years ago. Depends on what you are looking for during the holiday. Dubrovnik is a world heritage city and great to walk around. We also stayed in Budva, a few miles away - nice beaches and great swimming. We went to a few other places, but most of these involved lots of hill walking!!

Split was also good, it can be a bit hilly on the outskirts, but there is lots to see in the town. Lovely place to visit. We stayed at the Raddisson, which is a bit out of the way but you can get a taxi very cheaply to take you to the town. There are probably hotels in Split itself which might be more suitable. You can get ferries to nearby islands very easily from the harbour in Split. No beaches in Split.

We had a great holiday in Croatia. Absolutely loved Dubrovnik but it may be a bit difficult for anyone with walking problems. Agree about Kotcula, really lovely.

Korcula Town is like a mini Dubrovnik.
We went there before the war but have been back to different areas since.

I haven't been further north than Split, perhaps we will try further north next time.

As mentioned by Alidill* - take water shoes, not only pebbles but sea urchins.

By chance did any of your northern Croatia travellers visit Krapina? I am interested in the Neanderthal Museum there. It's not far north of Zagreb. I was looking at a tour that included a day free in Zagreb and thought it might be doable.

Any info appreciated!

we drove to Zagreb and stayed over in Samobor ,which is about 20 miles outside the city ,its a beautiful wee town and the hotels was quite cheap ,staying over gave us a bit more time to see the city and surrounding area and we liked it so much we did the same a couple of times

We stayed in POREC loved it there was a cycle way from our hotel into town woodland at one side sandy grass platforms which people dived off into sea . If walking a big problem there was a land train which ran frequently and didn't cost a lot .enjoy wherever you decide ✈️

We went to one of the islands, Lopud wish I hadn't bothered hated it went on a day trip to montenegro didn't like that either all they kept on about was the war and Russian's. Dubrovnik was though but if you have problems with mobility it can be a trifle hilly with lots of stairs. Do a search online and have a look

Sorry correction Dubrovnik was lovely though

We loved Croatia, so much so we were booked on a similar coastal tour to Sunlover last year but had to cancel because of health problems. Can't wait to revisit, we booked both times through Saga - who do make allowances for people with walking difficulties. Have you considered Malta for your holiday, we really liked the island and stayed just outside Slima overlooking the sea - just idyllic. We went in February and the weather was glorious, the locals were dressed in warm clothing, I had to buy some summer tops to see me through. People delightful, cuisine interesting mixture, lots to do, bus service is fantastic.

Caveat is lovely easy walk to town centre and water taxi to Dubrovnik

A few years ago we had a coach holiday which started in Dubrovnik and then followed the coast northwards. Beautiful beaches, many of them quite rocky and lots of nude Germans about. (On the beaches that is). Croatia is a really scenic country, the prices are good and the people are friendly though I don't think they do queuing, caught a local bus once and it was every man for himself. Didn't see any trains/tracks there, maybe Croatia doesn't have a rail service.

Traveled from Trogdir to Dubrovnik via Korcula and Hvaar about 7 years ago and would echo above. We loved Croatia and would happily go back-possibly to the north.We did a side trip to Mostar which was fascinating. I don't think you can expect them 'not to mention the war'It is comparatively recent ... Indeed our conversation with our young guide in Dubrovnik was sobering -she,her mother and her brother fled the city as the enemy came over the hill ,leaving her father behind (he survived).They had already run out of food and water and the electricity hadnt worked for months . I think of it (and the museum covering the war) sometimes when Syria is on the news.
Dubrovnik is slightly unreal .Picture perfect-you have to look quite hard to see where the damage has been repaired.The walk round the walls is easy one you are up there

Have you thought of doing a cruise? DH and I went for a 7 night cruise to Croatia and Italy. It was beautiful. We spent 4 days in Croatia (Dubrovnik, Ravinj, Split and Zadar and 2 days in Italy (Trieste and Venice). You can get off the ship and walk around or go on an organised excursion. All ships and excursions cater for people with walking difficulties. Unless you hate the water, and the cost isn't too inhibitive, it's a really great way to see a lot of different places on one holiday and decide whether you would like to go back again and stay for longer.