Dubrovnik was our favorite stop in Croatia and definitely one of the top three on our most recent European trip. However, Dubrovnik was a place that when planning our trip through Croatia, we didn't plan to spend much time in. We allowed for just three night and three full days - we wish we could have stayed longer. It really captured our hearts. We will be back. Follow along to find out some of our favorites from our time in Dubrovnik.

The Bay of Kotor in Montenegro is a perfect day trip from Dubrovnik. From the historic city of Kotor to the sweeping mountaintop vistas, there is so much to see in this part of the country. Whether it's just one day or you time for a longer overnight stop, make sure to add Montenegro to your list when visiting Dubrovnik.

Bosnia & Herzegovina is a country that I knew very little about before recently visiting. I am embarrassed to admit that everything I knew about the country stemmed from the Bosnian war in the early 90s. I had imagined it being a war-torn place that I would never visit - another world away. In fact, I probably couldn't have pointed to it out on a map.

Split, Croatia is the perfect place to spend some time soaking up the sun on a beach. From the mainland to the many islands that surround Split, you can't go wrong with a few beach days in Croatia.

Plitvice Lakes is a place that you can see more waterfalls in a day than you have seen collectively in all of your life! When planning our trip to Croatia, I knew that this place MUST make the list. It can be done as a day trip out of Zadar or Zagreb but I will give you a tip to maximize your time and reduce the amount of people you have to share the park with down below.

Sandwiched between Italy and Croatia, Slovenia manages to squeeze in its own bit of coastline on the Bay of Trieste, which opens to the Adriatic. Koper, Izola and Piran are all historic cities along this gorgeous stretch of Slovenia that only spans some 10 miles or so as the bird flies. That makes it a perfect day trip from Trieste.

Venice, Italy is a must-visit for anyone who has never been as it really is a sight to see. If you mention Venice, people conjure up images of sunset gondola rides while being serenaded with Italian love songs. While I am sure that there was once a time that Venice was truly spectacular - I think that time has passed. Follow along for our thoughts and some tips from our first trip to Venice.

One of the most beautiful and picturesque spots in Italy lies along the Mediterranean on the western coast of the peninsula - Cinque Terre. Literally meaning five lands, Cinque Terre is a national park that is made up of five small coastal towns. From Monterosso al Mare in the north to Riomaggiore in the south, each village has its own personality and is worth a visit. If you only have a short time in the area, it is definitely doable to see them all in one day and that is exactly what we did.

Is an Italy trip complete without a trip to the Leaning Tower of Pisa? We didn't think so. We made it a point to schedule some time during our tour of Italy to stop and be sure that the tower was still leaning. They have not stood it up straight and it has not fallen over yet so if you are in the area and haven't seen it - do it.

No matter how much time you have to spend in Florence, spend it wisely. There is so much to see and do in the birthplace of the renaissance that you can easily be overwhelmed. Whether you want to experience the arts, culture, history or great food, Florence is your place.

Spending the night in a medieval Tuscan castle is something that most people only dream about doing. However, it is easier than you think. Throughout Italy, there are castles that have been converted into accommodations for tourists. Some of them plush and luxurious while some of them still retain their minimalistic 12th century charm. We got the opportunity to rent out an entire castle and its associated farmhouses for our wedding.

Do all roads lead to Rome? Today, the ruins of the great Roman empire are surrounded by a modern capital city. Cobblestone streets that were once traveled by chariots and pedestrians are now bustling with cars and tourists. An impressive sports stadium was long ago pillaged for its beautiful marble and stonework. The crumbling walls of a once great palace are now covered with dirt and grass. The remaining structures are all that give us a look at what was like for these peoples 2,000 years ago.

Standing in the middle of Pompeii, looking up at Mt. Vesuvius tower over the city and hearing the rumble of the approaching thunderstorm, I couldn't help but think about what it must have been like the day of the eruption.

With little villages snuggled into coves along the Mediterranean shore and mountains in the background towering over them, the Amalfi Coast is a place made in someone's dream. It is one of the most spectacular places that I have visited to date and definitely our favorite in Italy. Follow along as we explore this slice of Italian heaven, from Ravello and Amalfi to Praiano and of course Positano.

Taormina is a hilltop town that sits along the coast of Sicily, in the shadow of Mt. Etna.

The three islands that make up the country of Malta offer whatever you want, relaxation, adventure, fun - it's your choice.