By the sea

The Adriatic Sea is a part of the Mediterranean Sea and it separates Italian Peninsula from the Balkan peninsula. The Adriatic Sea is situated largely between the eastern coast of Italy and Croatia.

The east (Croatian) coast is generally bold and rocky, with many islands. South of the Istrian Peninsula, which separates the Gulfs of Venice and Trieste from the Bay of Kvarner, the island-fringe of the east coast extends as far south as Dubrovnik. The island of Cres is the largest island in the sea, slightly larger than nearby Krk. The islands, which are long and narrow (the long axis lying parallel with the coast of the mainland), rise rather abruptly to elevations of a few hundred meters. There are over a thousand islands in the Adriatic, 66 of which are inhabited.

It is interesting to note the vast difference between the Italian and Croatian coasts on the Adriatic. Although only a small distance from each other, the Croatian Coast and beaches are generally much clearer and cleaner than Italy's. Croatia is known for its crystal clear water.