Croatia, at one time the Roman province of Pannonia, was settled in the 7th century by the Croats. They converted to Christianity between the 7th and 9th centuries and adopted the Roman alphabet under the suzerainty of Charlemagne. In 925, the Croats defeated Byzantine and Frankish invaders and established their own independent kingdom, which reached its peak during the 11th century.

When Germany invaded Yugoslavia in 1941, Croatia became a Nazi puppet state. Croatian Fascists, the Ustashi, slaughtered countless Serbs and Jews during the war. After Germany was defeated in 1945, Croatia was made into a republic of the newly reconstituted Communist nation of Yugoslavia; however, Croatian nationalism persisted. After Yugoslavian leader Josip Broz Tito's death in 1980, Croatia's demands for independence increased in intensity. In 1990, free elections were held, and the Communists were defeated by a nationalist party led by Franjo Tudjman. In June 1991, the Croatian parliament passed a declaration of independence from Yugoslavia. Six months of intensive fighting with the Serbian-dominated Yugoslavian army followed, claiming thousands of lives and wreaking mass destruction. In December 1995, the Dayton peace agreement was signed bringing some peace to the area at last.

The Croatian language is a South Slavic language which is used primarily by the inhabitants of Croatia as well as Croats in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Croatian is based on the Ijekavian pronunciation of the Stokavian dialect (with some influence from Cakavian and Kajkavian) and written with the Croatian alphabet. German and English are the most common second languages. French, Italian, Czech and Hungarian are also spoken.

The Croatian national currency is the kuna (kn), which comes in notes of 10, 20, 50, 100, 200, 500, and 1,000. One kuna equals 100 lipa, and coins with values of 5, 10, 20, and 50 lipa and 1, 2, and 5 kuna are in circulation. Following Croatia’s E.U. membership, some Croatian businesses, most notably hotels and tourist agencies, began to express their prices in euros and kuna, though euros are not officially accepted.

The country has an area of 21,831 square miles and a population of 4.5 million. Approximately 85 percent of the population is Roman Catholic and 6 percent is Serbian Orthodox Christian (SPC). Groups that constitute less than 5 percent of the population include Muslims, Jews, and followers of other religions. Religious affiliation correlates closely with the country's ethnic makeup. There is no official state religion; however, the Roman Catholic Church receives state financial support and other benefits established in concordats between the government and the Vatican.

The easiest way to get to Croatia is by air, and during the summer season most parts of the country are accessible by flights from the UK and Ireland. Though there are a few direct flights to Croatia from outside Europe, fares can be expensive; a cheaper option may be to fly to a major Western European city and continue by air, train or bus from there. Airfares always depend on the season. Peak times for flights to Croatia are between May and September, and around the Easter and Christmas holidays; at these times be prepared to book well in advance. Travelling to Croatia by train from the UK is unlikely to save money compared with flying, but can be a leisurely way of getting to the country if you plan to stop off in other parts of Europe on the way. Seasonal ferry services (usually spring to late autumn) run from Ancona to Split, Stari Grad and Zadar; and from Bari to Dubrovnik. Passengers can usually buy tickets on arrival at the relevant ferry port, but if you’re travelling with a vehicle it’s wise to book in advance, especially in July and August. Services to Split and Dubrovnik usually take eight to twelve hours; services to Zadar slightly less.

Croatia boasts 1,100 miles of impressive mainland coastline and over 1,200 nearby islands. So why not explore Croatia by cruise? Croatia's cruise season generally runs from Mid-April to mid-October. Starting with Dubrovnik, coined the pearl of the Adriatic. UNESCO lists Dubrovnik's old town center as a world heritage site. Equally as beautiful is Split, the main town of Dalmatia. Back in 305 AD, the city captivated the heart of the Roman emperor Diocletian, who decided to build a residence here. Do you love the beach? Visit Zadar, which is known for its wonderfully glassy sea.

Croatia is a must-see destination for beach lovers, with over 1,000 miles of coastline and more than 1,200 islands. It is one of the best tourist destinations in Europe. See the glistening and sparkling Adriatic Sea. Pine and olive forests provide natural shade on many of the beaches. There are quite a few beautiful beaches around whether you plan to stay in Dubrovnik with its wealth of historical attractions or choose to explore Croatia’s secluded islands.

The natural beauty of the Croatian natural parks and their various flora and fauna will leave you mesmerized. Visit any or all of Croatia’s eight national parks: Brijuni, Kornati, Krka, Mljet, Paklenica, Plitvice Lakes, Risnjak and Northern Velebit. Frequently referred to as heaven on earth, Brijuni has 14 small islands that are famous for their beautiful shapes, varied and distinct forms, and high cliffs. Meanwhile, Plitvice, which has 16 lakes that are connected by waterfalls as high as 78 meters, is just another one of the Croatian national parks that will truly captivate you with its natural beauty.

Imagine a series of 16 lakes on top of the mountain. That's the beauty of Plitvice Lakes in Croatia. The lakes were formed from travertine, a distinct kind of limestone that gathers from calcium carbonate-rich surface waters on the surface of living moss. It then forms growing barriers and eventually creates a chain of lakes and waterfalls. Located in the Lika region of Croatia, amid the Dinaric Alps, the lakes are the main attraction of the town; however, the whole region of Plitvice is a national park. The 16 lakes are divided into two, 12 are called the Upper Lakes (Gornja jezera), and the other four are the Lower Lakes (Donja jezera). Experience Croatia at its finest!

The island of Pag produces the most famous cheese in Croatia, which is called Paški sir. The cheese produced in the dairy in Kolan has won the highest awards at prestigious exhibitions in the Mediterranean. It is best served with home-cooked polenta or pasta and makes a delectable dessert when combined with Pag honey and when used as filling for pancakes. Is your mouth watering yet?

The town of Split is the second-largest city in Croatia and the largest city in the Dalmatia region. The city was built around the Diocletian’s Palace (a fortress-like palace built for the retired Roman emperor Diocletian). It is where the locals sought refuge many centuries ago. It expands over a large area, well beyond the ancient city center. Modern Split is a city with 180,000 dwellers, and it is an economic hub of the Eastern Adriatic shoreline (an unofficial "capital" of Dalmatia). Try exploring Split for yourself!

Croatia is world-famous, at least in the nautical world, because of its authentic and fresh meals. Croatia offers simple yet high-quality meals. Fish is a fresh catch and prepared grilled. The secret to good grilled fish is held tightly by many restaurant owners and caterers. It is also an Adriatic specialty to serve the fish whole. Don’t miss out on the great dishes!