Experience the best of Rab

Rab lies in the Kvarner Gulf off northern Croatia, about twenty-two kilometres long, with ferries linking it to the mainland port of Stinica and to the islands of Krk and Pag. Its north-east side is bare, wind-scoured karst, while the south-west is wooded and holds one of the last oak forests of the Mediterranean. The highest point, Kamenjak, reaches 408 metres.

Rab town, on a narrow peninsula, is a walled old town of stone lanes, with four slender bell towers rising in a row along its ridge. Tradition says Saint Marinus, the founder of San Marino, came from Rab, and Rab is twinned with San Marino. In summer the medieval festival Rapska Fjera fills the streets with costume and crossbow contests, and the sandy bays of the Lopar peninsula lie in the north.

Rapska torta, a spiral cake of almond paste and maraschino liqueur, is the island's famous sweet, and the menus offer grilled fish, lamb and local olive oil. The south-west shore is sheltered from the cold bura wind that blows off the mainland mountains.