Brijuni is in the Istria region of Croatia. The Brijuni archipelago lies off Istria's west coast, a 15-minute boat journey from Fažana, just north of Pula. Most of the 14 islands are off-limits to the public. You have to be a member of the world's elite to get an invite here. Luckily there is so much to see on the other two you're unlikely to feel hard done-by.

Understand

History

Brijuni is preserved as an open-air time machine, recording 5,000 years of human history and 150 million years of prehistory when dinosaurs patrolled the islands. During the Yugoslav communist era, the islands were used by Marshall Tito to conduct diplomacy and entertain visitors such as Queen Elizabeth II, Princess Margaret and Elizabeth Taylor. The safari park today consists of many animals donated by these visitors, including Sony and Lanka, two Indian elephants given by Indira Gandhi.

Landscape

Brijuni consists of hectares of well-maintained, green parkland surrounded by the dazzling Adriatic and planted with avenues of prehistoric-looking pines.

Do

You can book excursions plus yachting, golf and diving expeditions. The organized tour (160 kn) passes Veliki Brijuni's main sights on a little train with an accompanying guide. It takes about 4 hours including the sea crossing from Fažana. Independent travellers can hire a bike or a little electric buggy.

Sleep