With the rise of budget airlines and airports growing all the time, services now operate from some of the biggest airports in the world to countries and cities that previously had barely registered on the consciousness of the majority of western holiday-makers and travellers alike.

One such city is Dubrovnik on the Adriatic coast of Croatia. Flights now operate regularly from Gatwick to this prominent tourist destination, and accordingly the reputation of Dubrovnik continues to rise. If you want to head to make the journey, then take a look at Travelzoo for some cheap fights.

Dubrovnik’s success historically was based on its position on the Adriatic coast. It became the only city at the eastern end of the Adriatic that could rival the prosperity of Venice in the Mediterranean. From its height in the fourteenth and fifteenth century the city then suffered the impact of earthquakes and war, but it eventually found itself after many upheavals as one of the principle jewels in the crown of the new Croatia.

Dubrovnik benefits from the typical Mediterranean climate, while the Adriatic coast is stunningly beautiful, known more for the rugged charm of the cliffs than long beaches found further west in the Mediterranean.

With the rise of Croatia and the impact of tourist money flooding into Dubrovnik the city now represents an interesting mix of old and new. The Port of Gruz and the bridge that marks the northern entry to Dubrovnik are remarkable examples of modern architecture. Whilst the city itself has kept much of the character of the previous thousand years, its walled quarter remains intact, whilst the towers and turrets were originally designed to protect the city they are now one of the more striking architectural features of the city.

There is also a strong religious heritage in the city, the Rectors Palace, the church of St Blaise and the city’s baroque cathedral are all fine buildings that dominate the city sky line, and fortunately survived the seventeenth century that claimed the majority of other Renaissance buildings in the city at the time.

Out from Dubrovnik harbour is a large wooded island called Lokrum. Local legends claim that Richard the Lionheart was cast ashore there after a shipwreck in 1192. The island now houses a fortress, a botanical garden and a monastery.

If there were to be one word that defines Dubrovnik it would almost certainly be ‘picturesque’. It is a beautiful city, filled with history and blessed with the a Mediterranean climate that due to local weather conditions is cooler than some of the other tourist traps along the Southern European coast. Being slightly off the beaten track, however, travel insurance is even more a necessity than in some other, better known locations. For all of the integral travel items, check out ASDA’s travel website for a range of flight deals and accommodation.