Such was the ferocity of Croatia's five-year struggle for survival after the 1990 implosion of Communist Yugoslavia that travelers are only now rediscovering one of Europe's most complete all-rounders. With discernment and enthusiasm - the hallmarks of Cadogan - this brand new guide explores Croatia's fascinating mix of classic central European and easy-living southern Mediterranean styles, uncovers long centuries of Roman, Venetian and Austro-Hungarian rule still visible in the culture, architecture and cuisine; and shows that the country's new, confident focus guarantees the warmest of welcomes. Along nearly 1,200 miles of one of the continent's most outstanding coastlines are daydreaming settlements casually studded with Roman antiquities, medieval small town-citadels, cosy fishing villages where modernity is just a whisper, and quiet coves to discover or simply a wilderness park of limestone gorges to explore. Tourism is acknowledged only with a casual shrug on many of the islands in a constellation of nearly 1,200; and inland from that spectacular coast are mountains and gorges, caves and national parks to discover.