Cliff hanger

Spread Your Towel: Porat Beach, Bisevo, Croatia

Shore lines: Most of the people who make it to Bisevo—usually on a half-day excursion from nearby Vis or one of the other islands off the Dalmatian Coast—are there to visit the Blue Cave, a kind of poor man's version of Capri's Blue Grotto (but every bit as pretty at midday, when the sun is out). If you are after the rare bit of European sand that is without umbrellas, though, head for Porat Beach, in a sandy cove tucked among limestone cliffs on the west side of the island. You'll find a beach bar, a restaurant where you would be remiss not to try the fish, and not much else. Tour boats will sometimes anchor off the beach for a swim, so that's one way to get there, but better to rent a boat in Komiza, on Vis, and set your own timetable.

Best Bunk: Bisevo has a permanent population you can count on your toes, so the closest place to stay is Komiza, at the two-star 131-room Hotel Bisevo. In fact, the Bisevo is about the only place to stay in Komiza. And while it might not compare well in terms of quality to a Motel 6, it is convenient to the boats, and just across the street is the pebbly but pretty Lutitza Beach.

Hotel Bisevo
Tel: 385 21 713095
Doubles from $82, including breakfast