Trip of a Lifetime: Dining

Got a hankering for French and Mediterranean cuisine? Pull up a chair at the Wine Vault Restaurant! Located on the ground floor of the Hotel Monte Mulini in Rovinj, the restaurant features delectable creations from master chef Tom Gretic, coupled with the wildest wine list in Croatia.

Adam hangs with David Skoko, master chef at Konoba -- that’s Croatian for “tavern.” This family-owned tavern in the coastal village of Banjole is so low-key it doesn’t have a sign outside (ask a local for directions). It’ll be worth it; Chef Skoko’s seafood creations have been lauded by international media.

Chef Skoko’s creations rely on the bounty of the Adriatic waters: Angler fish, conger eel and shark are among the fish served. The seafood menu is so fresh at this family-owned restaurant that dishes are based on the catch of the day!

What's inside these barrels? A wine lover's dream. Savor sparkling white wine along Prosecco Road, a picturesque region of vineyards and craggy hills about 45 minutes north of Venice.

Hungry for outrageously good seafood, in a VIP setting? Croatia’s Proto Restaurant, in the heart of Dubrovnik’s Old Town, is a veritable institution -- stretching back to 1886! Among its culinary guests of yore was Edward VIII, king of England. Savor this rich history over succulent dishes like saffron shrimp.

The sparkling blue waters of the Adriatic are home to more than 3,000 fish species. Savor the sea’s bounty at Nautika, one of the top restaurants in Dubrovnik, Croatia, that boasts incredible views like this, as well as Mediterranean fare such as lobster from the Dalmatian island of Vis.

We can’t stop talking about Nautika’s lobster! The Dubrovnik restaurant gets its seafood from local suppliers -- a “go local” approach that chef Mario Bunda is passionate about. “Every morning our supplier is down at Dubrovnik harbor to meet the local fishermen as they bring in their catch,” he says.

One of the delights of a trip to Rovinj, Croatia, is a stroll in its farmers’ market, open between 7 a.m. and 4 p.m. Get your health kick on by picking up a bag of fruits and veggies -- and try your hand at bargaining. Expect to pay 1 to 2 euros per kilo (a little over 2 pounds), depending on your powers of persuasion.

“The most awesome restaurant in Venice is hidden in the alleys off St. Mark's Square,” says Adam Richman. “You'd walk right by if you didn't know... it's called Enoiteca Mascareta, and you're not just gonna get a mean Venetian risotto, chef Mauro Lorenzon's gonna give you a huge show! Every meal ends with a bang!”