Zagreb
Unlike the better-known Croatian cities on the coast, Zagreb is pure Central Europe in its architecture and atmosphere. It’s a lively place I enjoyed exploring on my previous visit; this time I hope to do more “soaking it in” than focused sight-seeing.

Pula
Another former Roman city (complete with one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters), it’s on my list because it’s the capital of Istria—the rugged peninsula famous for its olive oil, wine, truffles, and local cuisine. I’ve dreamed of visiting this area and am finally making that happen.
Side trips: Bale, Rovinj

Rijeka
A port city near where Istria ends and Dalmatia begins, it was once best known by its Italian name, Fiume—and famous for being the center of a territorial dispute between Italy and Yugoslavia that helped give birth to Fascism.

Zadar
The former capital of Dalmatia, Zadar, was heavily bombed in both WW II and the secession wars of the 1990s. I’ve read that much of its old city has been restored and is now full of particularly good restaurants.

Split
This is a truly unique city, quite literally built within and into the walls of a Roman emperor’s retirement villa. It has some of the best-preserved late Roman architecture anywhere in Europe, and its recently excavated cellars were a filming location for Game of Thrones.