I've traveled all across Europe. One Croatian city won my heart even more than Dubrovnik and Split.

Zadar, a city on the Dalmatian Coast, blew me away. Emma Ruben I love escaping Australia's winter by visiting Europe during the summer months. My favorite destination is Zadar, a city on Croatia's Dalmatian Coast. I loved the beautiful beaches, the historic Old Town, and how easy it felt to slow down. Last year, like many other Australians, I looked to escape our winter by planning a five-week trip to Europe during their summer. For months, I obsessed over researching destinations, reading articles online, and perusing TikTok for the perfect places to visit. Of course, there were some spots I knew I had to see: the Colosseum in Rome, the Eiffel Tower in Paris, and the Alps in Switzerland. However, no place surprised me more than Zadar. A Croatian city located on the Dalmatian Coast, Zadar provided me with both adventure and a much-needed dose of relaxation.