Croatia is a peaceful, young democratic country (member of the UN and EU), which may surprise people considering the well-publicised strife that followed its declaration of independence from Yugoslavia in 1991. Most of the country remained untouched by the conflict and today it is among the safest countries in the world to visit.

The country has evolved from centuries of occupation from foreign empires – namely the Romans, Venetians, Austro-Hungarians, Greeks, and French. This has produced a culture fascinating in its diversity. It has a charm that is neither Mediterranean nor Central European, but a unique combination of the two.