One of the country's major attractions, the Dalmatian coast, is a scattering of more than a thousand islands and numerous spits and capes that carve rock-strewn passageways through the Adriatic Sea.

Croatia features some beautiful old cities such as Dubrovnik and Split that are filled with carved stone-walled buildings topped by red tile roofs. Many colonizers have left their mark in Croatia; there are the ruins of Roman arenas, palaces and basilicas, old Venetian ports and Hellenistic city plans.

One of the biggest attractions fro vacation home buyers is the boating. Innumerable rocky coves invite exploration and there's always an isolated beach to stretch out on and picnic.

In addition to the attractions of Croatia itself, its location makes it a convenient base for visits to Italy, Greece, Austria and Eastern Europe. And, although it's not cheap, it does represent a substantial savings from the prices of just across the Adriatic in Italy.