The southwest coast is a long arm running down the Adriatic Sea. Here you'll find a gentle climate, warm beaches and marine-orientated cuisine. Islands dot the water off the shore, creating ideal day trip destinations and lovely places for sailing or scuba diving. The peninsula Istria, in the north, is popular with sun-seekers who want a dose of culture; the port city Pula was an important Roman centre. In the far south of Croatia, Dubrovnik is both one of the country's most popular modern tourist destinations and a magical medieval city boasting some of the best maintained defensive walls in Europe.

Heading north, the land-locked capital, Zagreb, is the political and cultural heart of the country, home to both a modern commercial centre and historic quarters where you'll find peaceful squares surrounded by impressive mansions. The city's museums, markets and lively caf? culture give you plenty of options to stay busy, and there are several annual festivals, like the July folklore festival, that are well worth attending.

For nature lovers, the country's seven national parks are a draw too. Visit the forests of Risnjak, along the Slovenian border, or the uninhabited islands of the Kornati archipelago in the Adriatic Sea. Paklenica, home to impressive canyons and a wide variety of flora and fauna, is a favourite with alpinists, while the peaceful waters of Plitvice Lakes are perfect for family outings. Outside the parks there's plenty going on too; cycle the nearly 2600km of trail in the Istria peninsula or ski in Sljeme and at the Croatian Olympic Centre in Bjelolasica.