Travel

An insider s guide to Croatia, featuring the country s best places to stay and things to do, including advice on getting there and around. By Jane Foster, Telegraph Travel s Croatia expert. Click on the tabs below.

Croatia became the 28th member of the European Union on July 1, 2013. While Eurosceptics question the long-term future of the EU, this was undoubtedly a landmark in Croatia’s history. The War of Independence (1991-1995) and the subsequent break-up of Yugoslavia had left the country damaged politically, economically and spiritually.

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A country of dramatic mountainous landscapes and dreamy deep-blue seascapes, Croatia is now easier to visit than ever before. Big improvements have been made in the national infrastructure: the motorway network has been extended and modernised, and many hotels have been renovated and given a fresh look with slick contemporary designs. It has also become much easier to reach, with more and more airlines now flying from Britain to Croatia.

With a population of just 4.3million, Croatia’s sporting success is remarkable – at the 2012 Olympics, Croatia won three golds (men’s water-polo, men’s shooting, and women’s discus), a silver (men’s rowing), and two bronzes (men’s handball and women’s taekwondo). In terms of tourism, many lovers of the great outdoors come to Croatia specifically for its adventure-sports facilities – between the sea and the mountains, sailing, scuba diving, sea kayaking, rafting, mountain biking and rock climbing are all on offer.